Myth and Archetypal Criticism.pdf

Myth and Archetypal CriticismMyth:…. is a complex collection of stories, some no doubt, fact, andsome fantasy, which human beings regard as demonstrations.of inner meaning of the universe and of human life- All people have distinctive mythology, but in a general senseit is universal- In society, myth transcends time: it is the past (traditionalmodes of belief), the present (current beliefs), and thefuture (spiritual and cultural aspirations)Archetypes:- These are the similar motifs, themes, and images that recurin the myths of people who lived in widely separated times andplaces – (it is this phenomenon that makes myth universal)Examples of Archetypal Images:Water:(The sea and rivers) –The mystery of creation, birth-deathresurrection,purification and redemption, fertility andgrowthSun:(The fire and sky are related) – Signifies creative energy, lawin nature, consciousness (thinking, enlightenment, wisdom,spiritual vision), the father principle (the moon and earth aremore associated with the female or mother), the passage oftime and life

Circle Shape (sphere, egg):- Wholeness, unity, God as infinite, essence of life, union ofthe unconscious and conscious mindWind (and breath):- Inspiration, conception, soul or spiritGarden:- Paradise, innocence, unspoiled beauty, fertilityDesert:- Spiritual aridity, death, hopelessnessA Ship:- Mankind’s voyage through space and timeArchetypal Woman:*The Soul Mate – the beautiful woman, spiritual fulfillment*The Good Mother – (mother earth) birth, warmth, fertility,growth, abundance, the unconscious*The Terrible Mother – the witch, sorceress, siren, -associated with fear, danger and deathColours:*Black: (darkness)- Chaos, death, evil, melancholy, the unconscious*Red:- Blood, sacrifice, violent passion, disorder*Green:- Growth, sensation, hope

Archetypes: The Hero’s JourneyDeparture:The call for adventure:- The point in a person’s life when they are first given noticethat everything is going to changeRefusal of the call:- The future hero might refuse the call due to a number ofreasons such as, obligation, fear, insecurity or inadequacySupernatural aid:- As soon as the hero has committed to the quest asupernatural or magical aid appears or comes into playThe crossing of the first threshold:- The hero leaves the known limits of his own world into theunknown, where rules and limits may not existThe belly of the whale:- The final separation of the hero’s known world and self –often the lowest point but is actually a time of transitionInitiationThe road of trials:- A series of tests, tasks, or ordeals that the hero mustundergo to begin the transformation

The meeting with the goddess:- The point where the hero feels unconditional love – sacredmarriage – may take place entirely in relation to self – i.e.self-unificationWoman as temptress:- Temptations that pull the hero away from his quest, often ametaphor for the physical or material temptations of lifeAtonement with the father:- The hero must confront whatever hold the ultimate power inhis life (often a father figure)Apotheosis:- To deify – when someone dies to physical death, or dies tothe self to live in the spirit, he or she moves into divineknowledge, love, compassion, and blissThe ultimate boon:- The achievement of the goal or questReturnRefusal of return:- Reluctance to return to everyday life with all its cares andwoesThe magic flight:- Sometimes the hero must escape with the boon

Rescue from without:- Sometimes the hero needs guides or assistants to bring himback to everyday lifeThe crossing of the return threshold:- The trick in returning is to bring the wisdom gained in thequest, to integrate that wisdom in everyday life, and sharethat wisdom with othersMaster of two worlds:- For a human hero, it may mean achieving a balance betweenmaterial and spiritual worldsFreedom to live:- Mastery leads to freedom from fear, freedom to live in themoment, not anticipating the future or regretting the past.

The Archetypal Journey