Unforgiven

Next film up.. my favorite western and favorite Clint Eastwood film. Unforgiven. A film bout revenge and its effects on those who seek it.

Hero with a Whip

Raiders of the Lost Ark is a story about the rough-around-the-edges hero named Indiana Jones. Indy is a seemingly average 1930's college professor who doubles as an archeologist and 'obtainer of rare objects'. He travels the world facing danger and the unknown in the hopes of obtaining fortune and glory.

In this first installment of the series, Indy is out on a quest seeking the legendary Ark of the Covenant which housed the Biblical Ten Commandments. His story is one of three quests. On the surface is the quest to find the Ark before Hitler and his Nazis claim it and use it as a weapon of mass destruction. Besides that there are two other internal quests Indy struggles with. First there is his quest to go from a sceptic to a believer in the supernatural. And lastly there's his quest for love which nearly every hero faces in their journey.

Interestingly Raiders begins with a brief quest which introduces Indy's character the the world he lives in. I'll outline it quickly and move on the the bigger story.

1) Ordinary World: Indiana Jones and his allies search for a golden idol. The locations are exotic and Indy is a rugged fearless leader.

2) First threshold: The team trek through the deep dark jungles of South America. Its a foreign land few ever visit and return from.

3) Magical Guide: Indy uses an ancient looking parchment map to guide his way. One of the clues he's discovered in his quest for the idol.

4) Shape shifters: Sometimes those who seem like allies may actually turn out to be enemies to the Hero as so can enemies become allies. In the opening of Raiders, Indy's companions all try to double cross Indy in an attempt to claim the idol.

5) Road of Trials/Threshold Guardians: As Indy enters the idol ruins, he must traverse past many obstacles to reach his prize.

6) Apotheosis: When Indy claims the idol, the ruins begin to collapse. Indy races out of the tombs to escape certain death.

Ok now onto the full story outline...

1) Ordinary world: Indy is a seemingly mild mannered college professor newly returns from his recent adventure in South America.

2) The Call to Adventure/Mentor Guide/Heralds: Once day after class Indy is approached by longtime friend, mentor, and curator of the local museum Marcus Broody. Brody is there on behalf of the U.S Army Intelligence who wish to speak to Indy. In the meeting, the two government agents/heralds inform Indy of the Nazi plot to find the Staff of Ra and use it to locate the Ark. They entrust Indy with the task of intercepting the Staff and finding the Ark before Hitler can.

3) Crossing the First Threshold: Indy travels to Tibet to locate his old mentor Abner Ravenwood who was the last known owner of the Staff of Ra.

4) Road of Trails: Indy faces many tests throughout the film. First he must confront his ex-lover Marian Ravenwood and convince her to help him in his quest. Then he must battle the nazi forces who constantly get between him and his goals. And finally Indy must use the Staff of Ra to locate the Ark's resting place right under the nose of the Nazi archeological excavation.

5) Cave Threshold/More Threshold Guardians: When Indy discovers the location of the Ark he and his allies descend into the dark cave of the unknown. In many myths to enter a cave represent facing ones greatest fear. In Raiders Indy suffers from Ophidiophobia and is deathly afraid of snakes. The Ark cavern just happens to be filled with deadly Egyptian asps.


6) First Crucifixion&Dismemberment: Indy is pretty roughed up through the course of the film. In one scene alone as he battles the Nazi forces for control of the Ark he gets beaten up, dragged by a truck, thrown through a glass windshield, and even shot in the arm. Once Indy and Marian are finally safe from the nazi threat, they share a moment alone where Indy licks his wounds. Marion comments, “You're not the man I knew ten years ago.” pointing out Indy's fatigue. Indy responds, “It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.”

7) Temptation: When the Nazis capture both the Ark and Marion Indy is faced with a dilemma. He decides to choose his quest for love over his quest for the Ark. Indy attempts to barter with the Nazis. He threatens to destroy the Ark if they don't free Marion. The Nazis call his bluff and tell him to destroy the Ark. For a moment Indy is tempted to do so in order to keep it from Nazi control. However he is unable to destroy such a priceless artifact.

8) Apotheosis: The Nazis string up Indy and Marion as sacrifices to the Ark. The Nazi leaders attempt a Jewish ritual where they try to harness the power of the Ark. However it backfires killing everyone there except for Indy and Marion who humbly shield their eyes from the Ark and its immense power. Indy finally comes to see the supernatural in the world and only survives the ordeal through his yielding to that power.

9) Ultimate Boon: Indy claims the Ark and takes it to the U.S. There the government takes control of it. Indy doesn't get the fortune and glory he seeks but obtains other goals of his quest. He has a better understanding of the universe and has found love.

Moving on..

This week I'll be blowing up the blog with a number of films to analyze. First up... Raiders of the Lost Ark! I've been a huge fan of the Indiana Jones films ever since I was a kid so I'm really looking forward to this thread.

Oh one more Star Wars post!

I forgot to mention these great images I found. They were ads for the History Channel's Star Wars:Legacy Revealed special I posted on earlier last week. They show how some of the more iconic images of the Star Wars universe evolved from historical imagery and myth/religious symbols. Take a look.

Star Wars Archetypes

Today we'll be closing the Star Wars posting with an brief look at the different characters within the Star Wars Universe. They all fit into different mythological archetypes that have been used and reuses many times.

An archetype is defined as a universally understood symbol or term or pattern of behavior, a prototype upon which others are copied, patterned, or emulated. The categorizing of archetypes for psychological purposes was advanced by Campbell's predecessor Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung. He noted many different archetypes. Here are some of the main ones.

-The Child
-The Hero
-The Martyr
-The Wise Old Man
-The Great Mother
-The Damsel in Distress
-The Trickster
-The Devil

So let start looking at the characters of Star Wars and see what archetypes they fit into.

Princess Leia- Leia represents the feminine in the male dominated Star Wars Universe. Primarily she's the protective caring nurturing mother but takes on many forms in the various films. In the First film she's the classic damsel in distress when she's captures by the empire and has to be rescued by Luke and Han Solo. She then reveals herself to be a bit of a female warrior as she fights her way off the Death Star. In the second film she takes on a more military leadership role but also a romantic lover role and she and Han Solo begin a relationship. In the final film it is revealed that she is the twin sister of Luke. As such she becomes his female counterpart with all the same potential and strength he has.

Han Solo- Han is perhaps the most beloved character in the Star Wars Universe. Mainly because he's a bad boy and everyone loves a bad boy. To be more formal, he the cynical anti-hero and also a bit of a cowboy relying on guns and sheer ballsy courage to get him through situations. He is strong and independent as his name SOLO suggests which highlights the journey this hero must. In the first film Han is a shape shifter, a character who the hero isn't sure he can trust. A man who's intentions and true loyalties are hidden. Han doesn't want to care about the rebellion or fighting the empire. He only cares about himself and dealing with his own problems. But he comes to care about Luke and his mission and ends up joining the rebellion. And so Han's overall quest is to learn to care about others more than himself. In the second film this journey continues as Han the warrior must learn to love. He and Leia begin a shaky relationship which leads him to sacrifice his life to protect her and his friends. In the final film Han is fully realized. He is the lover to Leia and a respected general in the rebellion. Not too shabby for a once scruffy smuggler.

Chewbacca- Chewie represents the animal companion. Many times the hero befriends a beast who helps them along their journey. They help remind the hero of his connection to the natural world.

R2-D2/C3P0- These two droids are part comical relief and part everyman. They act and react in their universe much like we would too if we were thrown into the Star Wars films. They are the fools who cower and run but also are heralds who issue challenges and announce the coming of change in the hero's life.

Vader/Emperor/Boba Fett- These character are the Shadows of the Star Wars story. The representations of darkness in the hero's life. They are nearly always the road block in the way of the hero completing their quest.

Yoda- Like Obi-Wan, Yoda is the basic Old man mentor archetype. However he has other roles too. When he first meets Luke he' a trickster pretending to be a senile swamp creature. Then we discover he's actually a threshold guardian. In this role, Yoda protects secrets and wisdom from the hero until the hero proves himself worthy for such gifts. This wisdom is not just the ways of the Force but also the truth about Luke's family and father's downfall. He is also an oracle who can see beyond the present and into future possibilities.

Anakin's Downfall and Redemption

Today I'll be looking at another Hero's Journey within the Star Wars Universe. The journey of Anakin Skywalker aka Darth Vader. His story is reminiscent of his son's but different in that it takes the form of a classic tragedy. His is a hero's journey that leads to failure and loss.

He begins as a small innocent slave boy with incredible potential. Anakin was a virgin birth much like many spiritual leaders of myth and religion. This strange circumstance marked him as destined to become a Jedi Master who defeats the dark side of the force. Realizing his powers, the boy is adopted by the Jedi who raise him to be a strong and honorable warrior.

However his inner darkness, fear, pride, and passions get the best of him as he slowly drifts from the Jedi. First he is tempted to go against the Jedi ways of celibacy when he falls in love and marries. Then the evil Sith Lord seduces Anakin with the promise of power and manipulates him to do evil. Eventually Anakin becomes powerful but the very evil he swore to defeat. As a result he loses everyone he ever loved as well as his own humanity. He becomes Darth Vader; the cold robotic symbol of authority and fear throughout the galaxy.

Anakin's tragic story is also reminiscent of Lucifer's downfall in Milton's Paradise Lost. Both are good honorable spirits who turn to evil due to their own pride and lust for the power to accomplish their goals. Its interesting to see how such a goodly messiah figure could turn to the very definition of evil and oppression.


1) Ordinary world: Anakin Skywalker is a small slave boy living with his mother in the desert planet of Tatooine. His life revolves around fixing parts for a local mechanic and fantasizing about exploring the galaxy.

2) The Call to Adventure/ Magical Guide: Anakin come across the Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. Realizing the boy's virgin birth was a sign of great potential, Qui-Gon helps free the boy and takes him as a pupil. When Qui-Gon dies, his student Obi-Wan becomes Anakin's master and trains the boy to be a Jedi.

3) Refusal of Call: When first confronted with the call the hero often sinks back and refuses it. It seems like too much for them to handle. They doubt their own skills and abilities to tackle such a task. As it comes time for Anakin to leave home, he stops a run back to his mother afraid to leave her.

4) Crossing the First Threshold: This is the Hero's first step on their adventure. The moment when the hero leaves his old life and enters a new and unfamiliar world. For Anakin this moment is when he leaves his home planet and arrives on the industrial city planet of Coruscant. This planet is vastly different from his desolate desert home world. Here he begins his new lifestyle as a student of the Jedi.

5) Road of Trails: Series of tests the hero must face to complete their quest and undergo their transformation. For his trails, Anakin is challenged throughout his quest from his first Pod Race for Qui-Gon to the Clone war. Each conflict brings him closer and closer to becoming a Jedi Master.

6) First Crucifixion&Dismemberment: Along the journey the Hero is oftentimes scared. These injuries represent the tole the journey takes on the hero. They cause him to grow as an adult, become stronger, but may also corrupt as the emotional scarring leads to rage. The first scaring Anakin goes through is when he encounters the Sith Lord Count Dooku. In the battle the Sith Lord cuts off the young Jedi's arm leading Anakin to get his first mechanical appendage. In the Star Wars world, the motif of mechanical limbs represents the loss of humanity. To Anakin this injury leads to resentment and anger toward the Sith Lord which fuels a lust for revenge; first steps toward the dark side.

7) Battle with the Father: A major theme in many mythological stories is the conflict between father and son. In Anakin's story his conflict is with his faster father and mentor Obi-Wan. Their relationship evolves and disintegrates throughout the story. First they are Master and Student, then Friends, and finally bitter enemies when Anakin finally turns to the dark side and against Obi-Wan's teachings.

8) Temptation: Throughout the story the hero deals with temptations and distractions which the hero must abandon in order to continues his or her quest. With each temptation, Anakin gets farther and farther away from his goal of becoming a Jedi Master. First he falls in love with the beautiful Padme. He marries her despite this action going against the Jedi way of life. The Jedi are sworn to celibacy and not allowed to marry. But in doing so, Anakin has taken his first step against the Jedi order. When Anakin has a vision of his wife dying, the evil Sith lord uses his fears to manipulate him. The Lord promises Anakin the power to save his wife but only if Anakin becomes his pupil. Anakin abandons his Jedi teachings, makes the faustian bargain, and turns to the dark side.

9) Second Crucifixion&Dismemberment/ Rebirth: After his decent into darkness, Anakin is confronted by his former master Obi Wan who seeks to redeem his friend. However Anakin is resolved to keep his power and obedience to the Dark side. The two battle and in the ensuing fight, Anakin is crippled, burned, and left for dead by Obi-Wan. As his body is consumed in flames, Anakin is filled with rage and hatred toward Obi-Wan and the Jedi order. In this moment he becomes the evil Darth Vader who dedicates his life to hunting the Jedi and ruling the galaxy with force and fear.

10) Apotheosis: The hero faces death either literally or figuratively and comes to a new state to knowledge and being. For Anakin, this comes in the final Star Wars film when his son Luke confronts the Evil Emperor. When Anakin is faced with the realization that his son surely die at the hands of the Sith Lord, Anakin decides that he must intervene. He turns on his dark master, kills him, and saves Luke. In the process he is mortally wounded and dies soon after.

10) Rescue from Without: Oftentimes the Hero needs a guide to bring them back to the ordinary life, especially if the hero has been wounded or weakened by the quest. For Anakin this is Luke reminding him of his noble Jedi roots and the love he felt for his wife and children. Anakin was weakened by the dark side which clouded his mind and weakened his spirit. In reminding Anakin of his fatherly love, Anakin is redeemed and returns from the dark side. This is represented in the scene when dying Anakin has Luke remove his black mask. In a way Luke is removing the last but of darkness separating himself from his father and the two can finally see each other face to face for the first, last, and only time.

11) Ultimate Boon: Here the hero achieves his quest. Although he dies, Anakin is redeemed and defeats the dark side just as the prophesy said he would.

Luke's Quest

Star Wars was actually very consciously written as a Hero’s Journey. In fact George Lucas consulted Joseph Campbell often. Campbell, in later talks, even referenced Star Wars as a good example of a contemporary Hero’s Journey. Since all 6 films are now complete, one can see many manifestations of the Hero’s Journey throughout.

For today's posting I'll be looking more specificity at the hero's journey of the films protagonist Luke Skywalker. His story is one of an innocent small town boy destined for greater things. He takes up a quest to fight the evil empire oppressing the universe and become a Jedi knight. Along the way he meets and befriends a cast of characters who, together, help be defeat the evil empire. Luke's story is a perfect example of the classic Hero's Journey.

1) Ordinary world: Luke Skywalker is a small town boy living on his farm with his Uncle and Aunt. He knows little of the outside universe or of his own family history. However he has a longing to leave the this place and venture out in the universe.

2) The Call to Adventure/ First Magical Guide: Thanks to the two Droids who shake up his quiet farm life, Luke meets the Jedi Knight Obi Wan. The old wizard opens Luke's eyes to the truth. He teaches him about the Force and gives Luke his father's lightsaber. This is symbolic as mentors in real life teach us about the world and give us the tools we need to succeed in life. Obi Wan also tells Luke his father really was and reveals what his true destiny is. Finally he calls Luke to join him on a new adventure. “You must come with me to Alderaan if you are to learn the ways of the force and become a Jedi like your father.”

3) Refusal of Call: When first confronted with the call the hero often sinks back and refuses it. It seems like too much for them to handle. They doubt their own skills and abilities to tackle such a task. Luke does this as well. “I can't get involved! I have work to do. Its not that I like the Empire. I hate it. But there's nothing I can do about it right now.”

4) Crossing the First Threshold: This is the Hero's first step on their adventure. The moment when the hero leaves his old life and enters a new and unfamiliar world. For Luke this is the Mos Eisely spaceport and the dangerous cantina. There Luke gets his first taste of the outside universe and is put in a dangerous situation.

5) Belly of the Whale: This stage represents the Hero's final separation from his old life. At this stage the Hero commits to the quest and their own growth as a character. Luke and Obi Wan enter the Millenium Falcon spaceship which takes them off Luke's home planet toward Alderaan. On the way Luke begins his training as a Jedi Knight.

6) Road of Trails: Series of tests the hero must face to complete their quest and undergo their transformation. In the Films Luke has many tests from his first encounter in the Mos Eiseley Cantina to his final trials fighting the Emperor. They all help him grow as a Jedi and get closer to defeating the Empire.

7) Second Mentor: Hero's don't only have just one mentor but sometimes many who help guide them in their quest. For Luke, the Jedi Master Yoda takes up the task of training Luke where Obi Wan left off. He helps Luke fully realize his potential.

8) Atonement with the Father: Luke's story also has a strong theme of father and son relationships and the struggle between the two. In the first film Luke learned that his "dead" father wasn't a navigator on a freighter, but a Jedi Knight hero who fought valiantly in the Clone wars. Once Luke learns this, he takes on the task of becoming a Jedi like his father. It's his birthright. The legacy of the father being passed down to the son. However this heroic image of his father is tarnished when Luke discovers that his father is not only alive but the very evil he is fighting against. Seduced by the dark side, Luke's father is not just his opponent but also a shadow of what Luke may in fact become. For Luke too has the same rage and darkness within himself which threatens to jeopardize his quest and turn him to the dark side like it did his father. Another part of the Skywalker legacy passed down from father to son but in a negative light much like a 'Mark of Cain' from Biblical tradition. In the final film, Luke's new quest is not to defeat his father but to redeem him. To turn him back from darkness and repair their damaged relationship. In the end, Luke is successful in making amends with his father. In doing so, Luke is able to conquer his own darkness and realize his true identity. He is no longer a boy following his father's legacy but a fully realized man making his own.

9) Temptation: Throughout the story the hero deals with temptations and distractions which the hero must abandon in order to continues his or her quest. In Star Wars, Luke is tempted by his father. He offers Luke unlimited power and the chance to fully realize his Jedi powers. “Luke, you do not yet realize your importance. You have only begun to discover your power. Join me, and I will complete your training. With our combined strength, we can end this destructive conflict and bring order to the galaxy.” However Luke refuses and continues his journey.

10) Crucifixion/Dismemberment: Along the journey the Hero is oftentimes scared. These injuries represent the tole the journey takes on the hero. They cause him to grow as an adult, become stronger, but may also corrupt as the emotional scarring leads to rage. Luke is scared by his father when he loses a hand. He replaces it with a machine hand which comes to represent Luke's inner darkness. As his evil father is more machine than man, now Luke has started to become more like his father. 1

11) Apotheosis: The hero faces death either literally or figuratively. For Luke this is surrendering himself to the his father and meeting the Evil Emperor. In a way, he is allowing himself to be sacrificed in a gamble to redeem his father. He is determined not to turn to the Dark Side and so he will almost surely be killed by the Emperor. In order not to die, his father will have to step in to save Luke.. which he does.

12) Ultimate Boon: Here the hero achieves his quest. For Luke this is redeeming his father, destroying the evil empire, and becoming a Jedi Knight.