Joseph Campbell Heroism

Introduction

The concept of heroism is present in many literary works and encompasses various other aspects such as morality, selflessness, unity, peace, among others. Heroes present an image of individuals who sacrifice their own well-being for the greater good. In an attempt to describe a hero, Joseph Campbell asserts that a hero is someone who gives up his or her own life for something that is bigger than one is. However, he introduces the concept of two worlds, the ordinary, and the magical or supernatural worlds. A hero goes to the supernatural world and fights enemies who would otherwise endanger the lives of the community in the ordinary world. Various literary works have brought out clear images of heroes based on Campbell's description.

The characters of Prospero and Gilgamesh, in The Tempest and Gilgamesh respectively, differ when it comes to heroism. A comparison of the two demonstrates that Gilgamesh is more of a hero compared to Prospero; he is an embodiment of a selfless individual while Prospero is a victim of his deprivation of power, which leads him to act violently.
While in the forest, Gilgamesh came across a plant that was supposedly capable of restoring a man to his youth. In the company of his new companion, Urshanabi, Gilgamesh's reaction demonstrates his loyalty to his people. He says,
"Urshanabi, this plant is a plant against decay
by which a man can attain his survival.
I will bring it to Uruk-Haven,
and have an old man eat the plant to test it," (The Epic of Gilgamesh).
In the statement above, it is evident that Gilgamesh was determined to test the credibility of the plant, which Urshanabi had made known to him.

Knowing what the plant could possibly do, Gilgamesh mentions an old man, whom he would like to eat the plant in order to affirm its effectiveness in restoring one's youth. That, itself, is a gesture of Gilgamesh's selfless attitude, which affirms his loyalty towards his people. According to his reaction, he felt that he had the opportunity to make everyone including himself, immortal. In truth, although he was personally seeking immortality, he also thought about the well-being of other individuals in the community. This explains his dedication to his people especially when he puts his needs aside in consideration of his obligation and responsibility as

king.
On the other hand, there is deep contrast when one focuses on the character of Prospero in Shakespeare's, The Tempest. As the rightful Duke of Milan, Prospero does not get to take this position; he gets cast out and seeks refuge in an island. As a magician, he has various attendants, who are in spirit form. In a conversation with one of his spirit attendants, Ariel, one can detect his commanding and domineering attitude towards those he considers under him. The conversation goes as follows:
"Prospero: If thou more murmurest, I will rend an Oak,
And peg the in his knotty Entrails, till thou,
Has howld away twelve Winters.
Ariel: Pardon, Master.
I will be correspondent to command, and do my
Spiriting gently," (The Tempest, Act I, p. 33).
From his speech, Prospero appears threatening and a dictator. In the event that the spirit, Ariel, fails to adhere to his master's commands, he is liable for punishment. While this presents a normal relationship between a servant and their leader, the manner in which Prospero speaks is not reflective of the true character of a hero. He presents an image of an individual who would go to any lengths to ensure the fulfillment of his desires. There is no consideration of, possibly, the potential cost to be incurred in the event of adhering to his commands or wishes.
Analytically, the characters of Gilgamesh and Prospero present two individuals with different conceptions of power.

As a king, Gilgamesh felt that he owed his people and that this commanded service from him. His character satisfies Campbell's definition of a hero on different aspects. First, Gilgamesh moved from an ordinary world to a special one, which was representative of magical powers and occurrences. Campbell emphasizes this as a pre-condition for assessing the heroic attributes of a character in any piece of literature. Possibly, the reason could be that, when in a special world, an individual faces extreme challenges that are beyond their mortal strength. However, their bravery, courage, and determination, give them the strength or power to fight whatever supernatural forces, which may come their way. As an example, Gilgamesh was able to slay a supernatural being, the Bull of Heaven, after refusing advances from a god,

Ishtar.
However, in The Tempest, Prospero is presented as a magician and hence there is no movement from the ordinary world to the special one. Regardless of this fact, one could notice that Prospero uses his power to try to gain control of others, at least those whom he can exert his authority on. Unlike Gilgamesh, Prospero does not demonstrate his loyalty towards his subjects and his behavior is reflective of the anger that he feels for losing his royal position. It is important to note that a hero, as Campbell suggests, has a mentor or someone who plays the role of their companion or guide. Such a case is not evidenced with Prospero, as he acts based on what he thinks is right for him. Nonetheless, after the death of Enkidu, Gilgamesh's close companion, he gets another one, Urshanabi, who accompanies him in all his endeavors in the special world. Hence, on the basis of fulfilling the requirements of a hero from Campbell's perspective, Gilgamesh passes the test, while Prospero does not.
In truth, one could assert that both Gilgamesh and Prospero are in positions that require them to demonstrate some of the heroic attributes that Campbell notes. Central to his description of a hero is an individual who gives up their own life for the well-being of others. From this understanding, it is justified to assert that even if one does not typically die, the gesture that they would sacrifice their life for others is enough to brand them a hero. Sufficient evidence has been provided, which describes the characters of Gilgamesh and Prospero. Of the two individuals, Gilgamesh's behavior and personality align with the description that Campbell provides of a hero. As a mortal being, he encounters supernatural forces, which he is able to overcome. Most importantly is when he comes across the plant that could make him immortal; his first reaction reflects his thoughtfulness and selflessness as a king. Unfortunately, a similar conclusion cannot be made regarding the character of Prospero. One could argue that his behavior is a reflection of the affliction that he suffered following the deprivation of a position of power, his Dukeship.
Conclusion
The analysis provided above presents a comparative summary of the characters of Gilgamesh and Prospero and how they align, or not, to Campbell's description of a hero. Prospero fails to satisfy the requirements of a hero, while his counterpart, Gilgamesh, is successful in fitting into what Campbell regards as a true hero. Prospero is a victim of deprivation of power, while Gilgamesh acts as a king and demonstrates selflessness through prioritizing the well-being of his people.