Archetypal Hero As A Hero's Journey

Campbell once said “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself”. Joseph Campbell was an American mythologist who discovered that all cultures’ myths and stories were essentially the same, and that all people follow the journey of an archetypal hero no matter where they are from, or what they believe in. Odyssey, Speak and Wonder Women reflect the modern day need for the hero’s journey as the characters face a call to adventure, trials, and the return and betterment of the hero’s home.

The archetypal hero’s journey starts in their ordinary world, where they are usually sheltered and safe, but an event that disrupts the hero’s society will prompt him to leave his world and start the journey. Diana, an example of an archetypal hero, felt as if she was personally obligated to go and help end the war, and by doing so she

She tells her mother, “I am going, mother. I cannot stand by while innocent lives are lost. If no one else will defend the world from Ares, then I must. I have to go”. Diana’s wit and skill in battle was one of the factors that helped end the war. She faced Ares by herself and managed to defeat him, bringing peace and tranquility. Likewise, Odysseus was called to by king Menelaus,whom he had made a promise to help, fight in a war against the Trojans. He was one of the suitors who tried to marry her so, “When she is taken by Paris, all the suitors who wanted to marry her are obligated to support Menelaus in his attempt to get her back” (Odyssey Powerpoint). Even though Odysseus really did not want to leave his home, he was duty bound to aid the King, and becomes one of the reasons why they won the war. Similarly,