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Mythic Structure. Based on Joseph Campbell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces And Chris Vogler’s The Writer’s Journey. Storytelling and Myth. Carl Jung Strong correspondence between dreams and mythology Both come from a deeper source in the “collective unconscious” of the human race. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Mythic Structure
Based on Joseph Campbell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces
And Chris Vogler’sThe Writer’s Journey
Storytelling and MythCarl Jung
Strong correspondence between dreams and mythology
Both come from a deeper source in the “collective unconscious” of the human race.
Repeating characters such as young hero, wise old man or woman, shapeshifter, shadowy antagonist same as those who appear in our dreams.
Storytelling and MythThis is why myths and stories based
on myths have a ring of psychological truth.
Deal with childlike universal questions such as:Who am I? Where did I come from? What
happens when I die? What is good? What is evil? What can I do about it? What will tomorrow be like? What is time?
Hero’s JourneyHero’s story is always a journey. Leaves comforts of home to venture
into a challenging, unfamiliar world. Can be outward journey (actual place)Inward journey (of the mind, the heart,
the spirit.)
Hero’s Journey 12 Stages1. Ordinary world2. Call to Adventure3. Refusal of the Call4. Meeting with the Mentor5. Crossing the First Threshold6. Tests, Allies, Enemies7. Approach to the Inmost Cave8. Ordeal9. Reward (Seizing the Sword)10. The Road Back11. Resurrection12. Return with the Elixir
Hero’s JourneyAct One
Departure and SeparationOrdinary worldCall to AdventureRefusal of CallSupernatural Aid (mentor)Crossing the First Threshold
Hero’s JourneyAct Two
Descent, Initiation, PenetrationRoad of Trials (Tests, Allies, Enemies)Ordeal (Meeting with the Goddess,
Woman as Temptress, Atonement with Father, Apotheosis)
Reward
Hero’s JourneyAct Three
Return (The Road Back)Refusal of the ReturnMagic FlightRescue from WithinCrossing the ThresholdReturnResurrection (Master of the 2 Worlds)Return with the Elixir (Freedom to Live)
1. Ordinary WorldTaking hero from ordinary world
(mundane) to special world. “Fish out of water” - Wizard of Oz, Trading Places, Star Wars.
2. Call to AdventureProblem is presented. Can no longer
remain in the comfort of the Ordinary World.
Star Wars - Princess Leia’s holograph.
Central question. Will Luke rescue the princess?
Will they fall in love?
3. Refusal of the Call(Reluctant Hero)
Fear! Terror of unknown.Need some other influence to
convince her -- change in circumstances, more disruption, encouragement of the Mentor. (Star Wars- Aunt and Uncle killed)
4. MentorIntroduction of Merlin-like characterCommon in mythology and rich in
symbolic value. Bond between parent/child,
teacher/student, god/man.Coach in Rocky, Obi Wan/Yoda, Lou
Grant.
5. Crossing the First Threshold
Hero commits to adventure.Story takes off/ Central question is
clear and looks hard to solve.Turning point between Act One
and Act Two.Axel Foley decides to defy his
boss’s order in Beverly Hills Cop.
6. Tests, Allies and Enemies
Begin to learn the rules of the Special World.
Saloons, seedy bars, Rick’s Café in Casablanca, Cantina in Star Wars (meets Han Solo and Jabba the Hutt).
Tests continue in Star Wars when Obi Wan teaches Luke about the Force.
7. Approach to the Inmost Cave
Hero at edge of danger where the object of quest is hidden.
The most dangerous spot in the Special World.
Crosses Second Threshold to enter this dangerous place. Approach.
Land of the Dead in mythology (Orpheus descending into Hell to rescue loved one), Arthurian stories - Chapel of Perilous, the chamber containing the Grail. Star Wars - ?
8. The OrdealFortunes of hero hit the bottom -
confrontation with greatest fear.Star Wars - Trapped in giant
trashmasher, ET - dies on operating table - death of a relationship in romance--things look bleak. Initiation.
9. RewardSurvived death, take possession of
treasure, reap reward. Hero becomes hero.
“Sword” = knowledge, experience, understanding, reconciliation.
Star Wars - Rescue Leia, capture plans of Death star - keys to defeating Vader.
Return of Jedi - Reconciliation with Darth Vader/father.
10. Road BackNot out of woods yet. Deal with consequences of
confronting the dark forces. Great chase scenes here.
Luke and Leia pursued by Vader. Moonlight bicycle ride in ET.
Decision to return to the Ordinary World. (Turning Point to Act Three)
11. ResurrectionPurification, Rebirth, Cleansing before
returning to the Ordinary World.Almost replay of Ordeal. Final shot of
Death and Darkness. Final test.Final battle scene in Star Wars
movies.Beverly Hill Cop - Axel Foley rescued
by Beverly Hills police.
12. Return with the ElixirThe Return to the Ordinary World
has meaning because of the Elixir hero brings back - treasure, lesson learned, knowledge, love.
ET - friendship, Star Wars - end of Vader, peace.
Journey must be repeated if no Elixir.
Hero’s Journey1. Heroes introduced in ORDINARY WORLD,
where2. They receive the CALL TO ADVENTURE.3. They are RELUCTANT at first (REFUSE THE
CALL), but4. Are encouraged by a MENTOR to5. CROSS THE THRESHOLD and enter
Special world, where6. They encounter TESTS, ALLIES, AND
ENEMIES.
Hero’s Journey7. They APPROACH THE INMOST CAVE, crossing
a second threshold8. Where they endure the ORDEAL.9. They take possession of their REWARD and10. Are pursued on THE ROAD BACK to the
Ordinary World.11. They cross the third threshold, experience a
RESURECTION and are transformed by the experience.
12. They RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR, a boon or treasure to benefit the Ordinary World.
Mythic structure of Horror Films
“Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid.” Plays with our fears for one effect:
to terrify, horrify and sometimes just gross out the audience.
Audience expects to experience a horrifying journey. Relish a good scare.
Mythic structure of Horror Films
Root of horror: PowerlessnessSometimes not the known monster
but the Shadow that cannot be apprehended.
Force of chaos must be defeated.
3 Types of Horror Stories1. Man battles outside monster -
vampires, diseases, aliens, sharks.2. Man creates the monster -
Frankenstein, The Fly.3. Man is the Monster. Man
confronts the dark side of his nature. - Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Halloween, Silence of the Lambs.
Silence of the LambsScreenplay by Ted TallyBased on book by Thomas HarrisDirected by Jonathan Demme1991Starring Jody Foster and Anthony
Hopkins
Silence of the LambsDr. Hannibal Lecter. Brilliant.
Cunning. Psychotic. In his mind lies the clue to a ruthless killer. - Clarice Starling, FBI. Brilliant. Vulnerable. Alone. She must trust him to stop the killer.
The Journey1. Ordinary World - FBI Academy
Clarice aspires to work for jack Crawford in the FBI’s Behavior Science Division after graduation - her Outer Problem. She worshipped her father, a town marshal, and felt abandoned when he was murdered. Her Inner Problem is to come to terms with his death.
The Journey2. Call to Adventure - Convince convicted
serial killer Hannibal Lecter to fill out a questionnaire - help catch Buffalo Bill
3. Refuse the Call (Reluctant) - Clarice is enthusiastic until warning from Crawford “Don’t want Hannibal Lecter in your head”
4. Mentor - Crawford encourages but warns her. Lecter is a Shadow Mentor
5. Cross the Threshold - On case to solve Buffalo Bill murders.
The Journey6. Tests, Allies and Enemies - Test -
locate the “Your Self Storage” Discovers a car and headless mannequin plus man’s head in a jar. More tests - autopsy, finds insect pupa in victim’s mouth. Allies: entomologists find clue - rare Death’s Head Moth.
The Journey7. Approach Inmost cave (cross second
threshold) - Catherine Martin is kidnapped by Buffalo Bill. Stake are raised, Crawford and Clarisse need to make a deal with Lecter--a room with a view in exchange for a profile of Buffalo Bill. Lecter accepts on condition that Clarice answers his questions (quid pro quo). She must allow Lecter to get into her mind. She accepts and tells of her father’s death.
The Journey8. Ordeal - Dr. Chilton reveals that the FBI’s
deal is bogus, ruining the relationship between Clarice and Lecter.
Resurrection - Clarice give Lecter back his drawings and stands up to him, demanding the truth.
Lecter gives some information, but demands one more Ordeal - forces her to tell about her nightmare of the spring lambs an dhow saving Catherine would silence the screaming.
The JourneyClarisse presses Lecter to reveal Buffalo Bill’s name, but
Chilton interrupts. Clarice breaks free, grabs case file from Lecter’s outstretched hands. His fingers linger on hers. THIS IS A VERY TENSE ORDEAL! - SHE TOUCHES DEATH AND HE SETS HER FREE.
9. Reward - Buffalo Bill knew his victims.10.Road Back - Discovers diamond shaped
darts in dress, phones Crawford. He already knows identity of Buffalo Bill. She is asked to stay to find a connection between Buffalo Bill and latest victim.
The Journey11. Resurrection - FBI looks in wrong spot.
Clarice stumbles upon actual home and sees the Death’s Head Moth, leading to Clarice’s resurrection sequence. Clarice pursues Buffalo Bill into house, discovers Catherine, finds skinning room, lights go out. Surrounded by darkness and death, clarice is unaware that Gumb pursues her with infrared goggles. He taunts her, points gun at her. Clarice hears the metallic click of gun, turns and shoots--Resurrection complete.
The Journey12.Return with Elixir - Several Elixirs
1. Case is solved2. Buffalo Bill is dead3. Catherine is rescued4. Clarice graduates5. Earns Crawford’s respect6. Mentor Crawford tells Clarice her father would be
proud.7. Phone call from another proud Mentor - Lecter8. Lecter tells Clarice she is safe (Elixir of Life)
ArchetypesCharacters that populate the world
- ancient patterns of personality that are the shared heritage of the human race.
Change throughout a story
Facets of the Hero’s personality
Classic archetypes = facets of personality.
Higher self, shapeshifter, threshold guardian, trickster, shadow, herald, allies, mentor.
Plus Good Mother, Wicked Stepmother, Witch, Fairy Godmother, Prince, etc.
Nature of archetypesWhat psychological function or
part of the personality does it represent?
What is the dramatic function in a story?
HeroGreek - “To protect and to serve.”Self-sacrificePsychological Function:
EgoPart of personality that separates from
the mother, distinct from the rest of humans
Heroes start as all ego and learn to transcend the illusions of ego.
HeroDramatic Function:
Window into the StoryWe are invited to identify with the
Hero, to see the world through her eyes.
Universal qualities, emotions and motivations.
HeroGrowth
Hero learns or grows in the story. Main character is the one who learns
the most.Action
Hero is most active person in the script.Should perform the decisive action of
the story, taking the most risk or responsibility.
Hero Sacrifice - “making holy”
Sacrifice is the true mark of the Hero.Willing to give up something of value on
behalf of an ideal or a group. Dealing with Death
Confrontation with death at heart of the story (real, threat of death, symbolic death).
Hero models how to deal with death.Martin Luther King, Gandhi
HeroHeroism in other characters
Not just in main characterObi Wan becomes hero when he
sacrifices himself to save Luke.Character Flaws
Interesting flaws make us human help audience identify with protagonist.
Give character somewhere to “go”.Hero restored to “wholeness”.
Varieties of HeroWilling/Unwilling
Gung ho hero vs. doubtful, hesitant, passive, needing motivation.
Varieties of HeroAnti-hero
Outlaw from viewpoint of society, but person who audience sympathizes with.
Two types1. Characters who behave like a hero but are
cynical or flawed (Bogart in Casablanca, James Dean in Rebel without a Cause, Sean Penn in Dead Man Walking)
2. Tragic heroes who we don’t like or who aren’t admirable - often brought down in story. (Macbeth, Al Pacino in Scarface, Joan Crawford in Mommie Dearest)
Varieties of HeroGroup-Oriented Hero
Begin as part of society with journey taking them far from home. Act One is about the separation from the group.
Loner HeroBegin with hero as loner, journey is
re-entry into the group. (Westerns)
Varieties of HeroCatalyst Hero
Central figures who may act heroically, but who do not change much themselves.
They function to bring about transformation in others. (Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cops, comic strips and TV series)
MentorCampbell: Wise Old Man or Wise
Old WomanPositive figure - God inspiredFrom “The Odyssey” Mentor
guides Telemachus on his journey.
MentorPsychological Function
Self - the god within us, connection with all things. Higher self is wiser, nobler.
Conscience Guide (Jimminy Cricket)Hero’s highest aspirations.Related to image of the parent.
(Dumbledore is like a parent to Harry Potter)
Mentor Dramatic Functions
TeachingGift-giving - temporarily aids the hero, often by
giving some gift. (Obi Wan giving his father’s light saber to Luke)
Gifts should be earned by learning, sacrifice or commitment.
Mentor as Inventor--gifts are devices or inventionsHero’s conscienceMotivates heroSexual initiation (shakti)
Types of MentorsDark Mentors
Used to mislead the audience, lures hero into danger.
In anti-hero stories, anti-Mentor guides the anti-hero on road of crime
Fallen MentorsStill on hero’s journey of their own.
(Tom Hanks in A League of their Own)
Types of MentorsContinuing Mentors
Used to give assignments in continuing stories (Alfred in Batman, “M” in Bond movies)
Multiple MentorsCan be used to express different
functions of the archtype. (Bond, “M” gives assignments, “Q” gives gadgets, “Miss Moneypenney gives advice).
Types of MentorsComic Mentors
In romantic comedies. Friend or colleague who gives advice or helps with schemes
Inner MentorsUnspoken code in Westerns or film noir.
Flexibility Mentor comes in many forms
Mentor as ShamanRelated to healer in tribal cultures.
Threshold GuardianGuardian at the gateway to a new
world, keeps unworthy from entering.
Psycological Function - neuroses, scars
Dramatic Function - testingSuccessful heroes learn to recognize
this as an ally.
HeraldIssues the challenge and announces the
coming of a significant change.Can be a person or a force.Psychological Function: Shifts the hero’s
balance to entice them to begin journey.
Dramatic Function: motivation Types of heralds:
Positive, negative or neutral.
ShapeshifterChange appearance or moodDifficult to pin down or understand.Keeps hero guessing.Dramatic function - doubt and
suspenseHero can become shapeshifter
(Whoopi Goldberg in Sister Act)Villain can shape shift (Snow White)
ShadowEnergy of the dark sideProjected onto villains,
antagonists, enemies.In conflict with hero
ShadowPsychological function
Repressed feelings.Psychoses that threatens to destroy
us.Shady part of ourselves
Dramatic functionFunction or Mask that can be worn by
any character.Shadow mentor (Hannibal Lecter)
ShadowPsychological function
Repressed feelings.Psychoses that threatens to destroy us.Shady part of ourselves
Dramatic functionFunction or Mask that can be worn by
any character.Shadow mentor (Hannibal Lecter)Humanizing the shadow
TricksterMischief and desire for change.Psychological function
Cut egos down to sizeBring heroes and audience down to
earthDramatic function: comic reliefTrickster heroes (Bugs Bunny,
Chaplin)