CLASSICS 1000 Test #2 WEEK 9 Gilgamesh – An early near western hero Early Greek heroes • Across cultures, there are many similar story patterns • Universal appeal given enough similarities in enough cultures Earliest/oldest story that we know of/that has been found EARLY GREEK HEROES follow a pattern. The hero is often born in an unusual (or unnatural) fashion and as an infant faces terrible danger, which of course, he survives. The hero often has 2 fathers - a divine, "real" one and a human father figure, from whom he often faces threats (threats represent hero's own hostility toward his father, whom he perceives as a rival for his mother's affections). The fantasy of having a "good" divine father and a "bad" human one is, these theories suggest, the hero's way of coping with the guilt at his unconscious desire to kill his biological father. The hero also often demonstrates prodigious powers, even in childhood. On reaching adulthood, he craves adventure and seeks to test his own powers. He embarks on a quest or series of quests: a journey of discovery during which he will learn about himself, his society and his universe. In the course of the quest, he is eventually isolated from his fellow humans and all alone, must do battle with monsters, usually in serpent or dragon form (all variants of the serpents of the ancient goddesses). The hero also battles barbarians who could harm Greek civilization (Amazons are savage female warriors). Theseus and Heracles both battled the Amazons and Theseus defended Athens against invasions by them. Usually involves confrontation with cosmic powers, they usually go to the Underworld and comes back having learned about himself and his limitations. Hero's trip to the Underworld is a descent into the womb of the earth goddess or a descent into the unconscious. It is a rejoining of the anima and animus (hero's psyche becomes whole). Heroes think they can defy death and gain immortality but with their descent, they realize they must complete the life cycle. Going back to reality is a spiritual rebirth. A hero's spiritual life is their only link to the divine world (their descent into the womb) THE HEROIC PATTERN / ARCHETYPAL EVENTS 1. The hero's mother is a royal virgin 2. Father is a king 3. Circumstances of his conception and birth are unusual 4. He is reputed to be the son of a god 5. At birth, an attempt is made, often by his father or maternal grandfather, to kill him 6. He is spirited away 7. He is reared by foster parents in a distant land 8. On reaching manhood, he returns or travels to his future kingdom 9. He often journeys to the Underworld, or the shades of the dead may visit him 10. After he triumphs over the king and/or a giant, dragon or wild beast 11. He marries a princess, often the daughter of his predecessor 12. He becomes a king 13. Eventually he loses favor with the gods and/or his subjects 14. He meets a mysterious death 15. His children do not succeed him 16. His body is not buried 17. He has one or more holy sepulchers
