Watch the video below which is a mini-lecture on Chapters 3-4 from Classical Mythology: A Very Short Introduction. Then respond to the question below as a COMMENT. If you have any trouble posting, try to make a blogspot account (which is free), or you can even e-mail me your response. ALSO: I'll post the Paper #1 assignment this weekend, so keep an eye out!
This may be an obvious answer, but many heroes fall under the trope called “the chosen one.” This trope involves a character that has been chosen by some force or prophecy and is the only one capable of resolving the plot. It seems somehow impossible to escape this trop, and it can be seen across all genres. Some examples from several different genres include:
ReplyDelete-Anakin Skywalker- In the film series Star Wars, Anakin Skywalker is the Jedi's prophesied Chosen One.
-Harry Potter- In the Harry Potter series Harry Potter is chosen by Voldemort. He chose Harry based on the prophecy by Sybill Trelawney.
-Aladdin- In the animated movie Aladdin, Aladdin is needed by Jafar because he is "the Diamond in the Rough.” In this way, he is the chosen one.
-Link- Link from The Legend of Zelda series is often considered “the chosen hero.”
-Naruto- Naruto from the anime series with the same name was given the title "Child of Prophecy."
-Hercules- The myth of Hercules tells the story of a man born to fight beside the gods. In this way, he could be considered the chosen one.
It is fascinating just how characters are appointed as the chosen one. When looking up examples of characters that fall under this trope on the website TV Tropes, I found over 80 examples in just the literature portion of the website. I catch myself in my own writing appointing one character as the only character capable of accomplishing blank. Some of my favorite stories include a hero that fits under this trope. I’m not sure why this type of character works so well, but they do. All of the characters I listed above can now be considered myths. What makes these characters mythic could come from the outrageous idea that they were chosen out of millions of others, as well as the relatable aspect of them looking like us. All of these characters have weaknesses, and the ability to turn evil if they wished. When done right, the chosen one trope is a perfect formula to make a story or character mythic.
Yes, the 'chosen one' is a classic, and it goes way, way back. I think we like it so much because (a) the chosen one is usually totally unremarkable at first (Harry Potter, Luke Skywalker, etc.), but someone wise sees their potential and singles them out (suggesting the same could happen to us). We also like the idea that one person can make a difference and change the world. It has a nice fictional balance to it, and sounds more "muthoi" than the "logoi" reality--that it takes a lot of people working in anonymity to effect change (boring!). So as you suggest, they look like us, but they're one in a million.
DeleteCallie Farley:
ReplyDeleteA story or hero that keeps popping up in my reading is the female protagonist who was astringed from their family or is in a low economic class and has now found our that they have these crazy powers all of a sudden. I have to admit that I love it! Some examples of this type of character are:
- Celaena Sardothian (Throne of Glass by Sarah j. Maas) She was a princess in her kingdom, but she parents were killed and she had to flee whenever she was 8 and was taken in by the kingdom's most notorious group of assassins who have trained her to becoming the kingdom's best and most feared assassin. Through this, she begins her journey and finds out that she has all these powers and can use them to take back her kingdom.
- Mare Barrow (Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard) In this world people are put into classes by the color of their blood (Silver is the highest class and Red is the lowest class). The Silvers have all kinds of elemental powers and the Reds don't. Every year the Silvers have a tournament to see which Silver girl from each Noble House will be the Queen. Mare ends up there and one of the Silver girls is going to kill her but Mare shields herself from a death blow with her own magic, even though her blood is red.
- Clary Fairchild (City of Bones by Cassandra Clare) She is a mortal living in New York City and one day she see's this guy kill someone and obviously she freaks out about it. However, everyone around her seems to have not noticed it. With this, Clary wonders why she's the only one that can see them. Later in the book she finds out that her parents were notorious Shadowhunters from Idris (a world not in this dimension). From there she teams up with a group of Shadowhunters and learns that she is actually really good at fighting and they take down these bad guys.
Although all of these characters are from YA literature, they come from an array of genre's within YA, Celaena is from fantasy, Mare from dystopian, and Clary from urban fantasy. But you could argue that this is most used trope within the YA genre as a whole. Although this might be true it works! I think that it is used over and over again because it tells the hero's journey that we all know and love. It is a great set up for world building, political intrigue, and just enough mystery to keep readers wanting more. Some people have expressed that they're tired of this trope, but I think it's a classic! I think that it gained it's popularity because you can kind of "inset character" yourself into a book. You initially relate to the character liking a mundane life and then you're thrown into a magical and adventurous world and it gives you all that escapism that everyone loves.
Yes, it's a variation on the "chosen one" narrative that Taylor suggests above, and it's also a form of the Moses story--the privileged child that is cast among 'peasants' and has to learn his heritage over time. I think this appeals to YA lit because it allows, as you say, to relate to their normal life and then launch off into a fantasy realm. All myth has to be grounded in real life, which is why the gods act human, why heroes always have a mortal flaw (hubris!), and why superheroes have an alter ego. It's the same principle, expressed so many different ways.
DeleteChloe LaFevers:
ReplyDeleteI think a character type that has stood the test of time is the trusty “sidekick”. This type of character can be seen across multiple genres, and the semantics of their relationship to the main protagonist can be quite varied. I think it can be said that a relationship such as Batman and Robin’s has the element of a significant power dynamic due to aspects such as wealth and experience. This causes Batman to be seen as the obvious MVP of the duo. When looking at the relationship between Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, however, a more equal footing seems evident. Watson is still dubbed the sidekick though, as he is not the story’s main protagonist. And in a more everyday relationship, like a friendship portrayed in a romantic comedy, sometimes it’s the protagonist’s best friend that has the upper hand in things like social charisma and status.
So why is the sidekick so prevalent, and what do they represent? I think the sidekick is essential because they act as integral support to the main character’s goal, both figuratively and literally. Robin helps Batman by being the salient reminder for why he fights for Gotham. He also helps Batman navigate the thin line between vigilante and criminal. Watson helps Sherlock by bringing a fresh and intelligent pair of eyes to every case. He also helps to keep both Sherlock’s ego and humanity in check. And in terms of the outgoing friend in the romantic comedy, they can help bring the main character out of his or her shell and realize what they truly want and deserve.
“Heroes” come in all different shapes and sizes, but they are never infallible. They need people in their corner to help them navigate wherever their journey may take them. A sidekick’s purpose may be boiled down to simply “support the main character”, but it is that support that can be vital to a hero having a chance at a happy ending. And to that end, I think what sidekicks represent is something we all either have or would like to have: an ally we can always turn to, rely on and trust to have our best interests at heart.
Yes, great response! A 'sidekick'is another version of the alter ego, a way to tone down a "super" human or temper their hubris/ego (as you point out). It's interesting that in the original Holmes stories, all of them are told by Watson. He's literally the protagonist, and we only hear about Holmes through his eyes (and his often confused narration). But Holmes couldn't be the narrator, because he's too powerful, too above us. Watson is "us," just like Robin tempers Batman, who was originally thought to be too scary and adult for kids. So they introduced a teenager with a similar backstory to Batman so kids could relate (though they liked Batman just fine without Robin!). So you're right, they don't just support a hero, but are that hero's split identity, or their humanity. It would be interesting to see if any mythic hero lacks a sidekick of some sort (even Superman has Lois Lane, who is almost as iconic as he is!).
DeleteKate Robinson:
ReplyDeleteA tried and true hero trope I've noticed throughout the years is the, "unlikely hero." This character generally starts as the opposite- someone who generally has no respect for law or order and looks out only for himself. The story usually begins with this character living a hard and fast life, one that helps no one (generally, not even the unlikely hero). At some point in the story, something happens. This event is usually something dramatic, like the loss of a loved one or witnessing something especially tragic. This event works not only as a catalyst, but it also works as a call to action. This usually works as a turning point for the character, who eventually comes to realize that he can help himself by helping others.
Some examples that come to mind are Deadpool, Jessica Jones, Django, Rambo, Handcock, or just about anything with Will Smith.
I think this a commonly used trope because it appeals to our humanity. Everyone, at some point or another, has made a huge mistake. Everyone acts selfishly from time to time. I think when we see this, even to the extreme, with a hero, it helps us to feel a little better about ourselves. If a character can make the worst, most selfish choices imaginable and still find a way to become a hero, it makes us feel like we can do the same.
Yes, and the Unlikely Hero dovetails nicely with the Chosen One, since both seem miscast in the role as hero, and yet someone sees something in them, or fate itself decides that they have to be "the one." Bilbo Baggins is the unlikely hero, as is Luke Skywalker, or even Harry Potter. We like this because this person is US. We're not heroes, but in the right situation, we could be...or maybe someone is just waiting for the right moment to draw us out. It lets us dive into the story easier and connect with the main character. Interestingly, it's a more modern development, since heroes in the ancient world were always important men and women--never people 'accidentally' thrust into the middle of things. It would be interesting to decide when this character first appeared...maybe Don Quixote?
DeleteA type of character I have seen more often in movies, shows, and books is the "mommy/daddy issues" characters. This is where the character has an important task or objective or perform but they can't because they have mommy/daddy issues that is stopping them. Their parent could be not supportive or absent. For example, in the show All American the protagonist, Spencer James, feels like he can't do anything or be someone because his father abandoned him when he was a child. He doesn't want to play football anymore, even though he is so good at it, because it ties him to his father. Another example of this trope is the show The Ranch. Colt helps his father, Beau, with his ranch but the entire time he is helping his father he thinks his father does not love him. They get into a fight every episode and cuss each other out. Colt becomes a father and fears of having that same relationship with his daughter.
ReplyDeleteIn the book I'm Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, Esperanza feels like her mother does not care about her and loves her dead sister more. Esperanza can't be independent because her mother wont let her which causes tension between their relationship.
I feel like this trope has always been popular in shows, films and books because in our world so many people have mommy/daddy issues. I know in the Mexican culture sooooo many kids have mommy/daddy issues. I see it more in the sons and fathers because the fathers want their sons to be these macho men and a lot of the times the sons take their fathers "parenting" as over the top. It's a very interesting trope that I don't think we will ever stop seeing.
Great response--this IS a big trope throughout fiction and film, since so much of who a person is comes from their parents. All character is an act, and we learn these acts from our own parents through the 'mirror stage' of our childish development. So much of the conflict of our lives, fiction suggests, comes from our inability to mimic our parents closely enough...we can never be as strong, or as glamorous, or as confident, as they "acted" (but were they really?). And sometimes, as you suggest, we reject our own character because of this mirroring of our parents--we see too much of them in the mirror! So this is hard to get away from, and we'll see more of this in Chapter 5 of Classical Mythology.
DeleteThe character trope that I’ve noticed is that of the “jaded sibling”. We see this in the Thor movies with Loki and Thor, in The Guardians of the Galaxy movies with Gamora and her sister, and also in Captain America’s story with Bucky. My favorite thing about this trope is that there is always an underlying affection between the siblings which usually prevails over the tension. This trope teaches us that loyalty/family/friendship can overcome circumstance and even war. This trope also thickens the plot by adding a villain that the audience can relate to. The “jaded sibling” is usually turned evil by their jealousy of their “perfect” or “better” sibling.
ReplyDeleteOoo, that's a good one! I wish we had discussed this in class. Yes, that's become very popular in superhero movies and SF/F movies/series, too, from the ones you mention as well as LOTR, many Star Wars shows, GOT, etc. I like your idea that greed and jealousy can even poison family ties, as well as test the nature of so-called family. Often, the family you can trust is the one you make, not the one you're born into. Nice catch with this one!
DeleteOne common character that I’ve seen repeatedly over time is the underdog. Of course it seems obvious because everyone loves a good underdog story but it makes me question why? Even in sporting events fans generally like to see the underdog win. But in movies and novels what draws us to the underdog story. I know for me personally I can relate to the underdog stories. I actually just finished reading the outsiders for one of my other classes and I loved reading it because of the underdog story. You’ve got the greasers against the Soc’s and the greasers are clearly the underdogs and that made me pull for them throughout the midst of any conflict in the novel. When the underdog is the protagonist it seems like the novel is wanting you to root for the underdog because all it ever talks about the other guy is when there is something bad to say. I was a big fan of the Percy Jackson series when I was younger and Percy was the clear underdog. He is going up against Greek Gods. Of course we want to root for him. Often times the underdog is used in a classic good vs evil story. The underdog being the good guy of course and it pushes us to side with the underdog.
ReplyDeleteIsaac Bellinger
Yes, the underdog is a great trope, and arguably most heroes ARE underdogs in some sense, especially when they're the "unlikely hero" or the "orphan." Why do you think we're geared to root for the underdog, when in society, we might shun them as well? Does this play into a fundamental insecurity we have? Do we all feel like underdogs? So in fiction we're allowed to sympathize with them, or see ourselves in them? Or does it flatter our sense of justice, that the 'good' and the 'overlooked' will ultimately win in the end? That the gods will restore the balance?
DeleteOne character trope that I have grown to really like is the 'sidekick' character. They usually bring comic relief to the more intense times, Peter Parker to Iron Man, Ron to Harry, and Sam to Frodo. One thing that particularly interests me is how the 'sidekick' can usually evolve to the main character of their own story/journey once there is enough lore in the original material. You see this with Loki, he's getting his own show on disney+, Samwell Tarley in GOT when he separates from Jon Snow (if we don't get more Sam in WOW I'm going to riot), and with Han and his Solo movie. (pun intended)
ReplyDeleteI really like how Gloria added the 'jaded sibling' trope! This is one that can get over looked with the bad siblings being cast as the villains and we forget the connection between villain and hero. One thing that sticks out to me is Cerci and Jamie's relationship with Tyrion. They are seen as the 'jaded siblings' against Tyrion, but towards the end I couldn't help sympathize their love to each other (despite being weird and disgusting it was pure love) and Tyrion's nostalgic love towards his older twin siblings.
Yes, I'm glad you brought up the sidekick again, since a sidekick is also an underdog (see above comment). And you could also argue that a sidekick is a hero in training to a mentor, who is just waiting for their moment in the sun. Samwell is a great example, since he looks like a comic character at first (he can't fight, he's not in shape, etc.), but he turns out to get his own storyline and he arguably saves the world with his knowledge of the Walkers. So sidekicks beg the question, how do we know a hero when we see one? Does a hero look or talk a certain way? Or is a hero simply who the 'god' is paying attention to (or the Reader)?
ReplyDeleteThe GOT use of sibling love was fascinating and weird...but you're right, it worked. When they died together, it didn't feel forced or fake. You felt that that's how they needed to die, together, one for the other. It was a nice inversion of the jaded sibling trope, as I always felt he would renounce her and declare his love for someone...taller.