Crash Course Myth: Epics and Heroes, week 11

The Holy Grail
History

The Epic of Gilgamesh

The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the oldest written stories in the world. It is an excellent illustration of the Hero’s Journey which was explained in one of the earlier videos that I watched. The story is believed to be 4,000 years old and has deep historical value. It is believed to be a product called syncretism, which is when two religious traditions combine over time. This episode focuses on a story written around 1200 BCE. The story highlights Gilgamesh how himself fits into the hero’s journey. The story is a fascinating one with many successes and failures by Gilgamesh. Ultimately, he fails in reaching immortality but succeeds in identifying his human limitations. He is able to live freely and becomes a better person and for these things he is considered a hero.

Rama and the Ramayana

This story is told in the Hindu tradition. King Rama is a hero king, an avatar of Vishnu, he is also great at archery, and oddly, he is blue. His story is told in the epic poem Ramayana and which was most likely originally told orally. Many, many different versions of the epic exist. The main characters the story told in the video are King Rama, his wife (Sita), his best friend (Enkidu). The many characters experience important actions that contribute to not only their journey, but King Rama’s. Who is really the hero of the Ramayana? Many of the characters follow a hero’s journey. In all, the character’s duty becomes a heroic imperative. Duty to family, friends, husband, wife, and self can be seen within the epic. This version is somewhat difficult to follow, it has demons, hermits, eagles, monkeys, magic bows, golden deer, flying chariot, a Monkey King, monsoon problems, vultures, titans, Son of the Wind monkey, signet ring, fire ordeal, preservation of Dharma, rebirth of dead monkeys, and crowning of Rama for 10,000 years. If following Dharma defines heroism, then not only Rama is a hero, but also Sita and other characters within the video.

Galahad, Perceval, and the Holy Grail

This video explores the quests of two warriors in search of the Holy Grail. The video examines how the quests of these men follow Campbell’s Hero’s Journey and at what point they depart from it, as well as how they combine the value of Christianity in the quests. The story of Perceval is told first. Perceval was not a very bright guy and his journey is not that of a common knight. His brothers and dad were knights and were killed, resulting in his mother shielding him and keeping him from ever desiring to be a knight. One day while walking in the woods, Perceval sees five glittering men in armor who he believes are angels with lances. He tells his mom what he saw and she discloses the whole story. Perceval’s story follows a Hero’s Journey but then departs from the structural monomyth to a story deep with religious undertones. He learns the truth about the Grail and himself.  Galahad’s story, on the other hand, is more “knightlike.” He is gorgeous and is a model of Christian virtue. He is marked for a special role - The Seat of Danger. He takes on the Grail quest. At the house of the maimed king, Jesus is inside and he explains the mystery and significance of the Grail. The quest is for self improvement and the Grail’s meaning.

Ma’ui, Oceania’s Hero

This video is about Ma’ui the demi-god hero of Oceania. Ma’ui stories are found throughout Oceania, particularly Hawaii and are noted by their focus on heroic deeds. He fights an eel, argues with the sun, and creates New Zealand. Unlike Herakles, whose deeds were assigned, Ma’ui deeds occurred throughout his life and give glimpses of his culture. Ma’ui’s seven deeds were 1). Fighting His Mom’s, 2). Raising the Sky, 3). Fishing for New Zealand, 4). Slow the Sun, 5). Winning Fire for Humanity, 6). Kuna Loa the Long Eel, 7). Immortality. Ma’ui fails during his last deed and dies. Ma’ui is a very interesting figure because he is clever, he is dumb, he succeeds and he fails. Just like in other mythology stories, elements of the stories reflect cultures and beliefs and since they are orally handed down, what keeps then alive and relevant tells much about cultures and people.