Jospeh Campbell, the Hero Myth, and Roy

Over the last two nights, PBS has been re-broadcasting the incredible series of discussions between Bill Moyers, and Joseph Campbell, "The Power of Myth". Campbell, for those who don't know, was one of the preeminnent philosophers of our age. His book, "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" has influenced many an artist, most prominent among these being George Lucas. The entire Star Wars tales were heavily influenced by Campbell's writings regarding the concept of the Hero throughout human cultures. Campbell's mantra "Follow your bliss" was something that I haved lived by, even before I knew of him, and what this represented. <BR><BR>That said, I began to think of Roy, and his struggle within himself. In many ways, it is Roy who fits the classic example of the Hero Myth, as someone who gives of himself for the sake of a greater good. His ability to save Deckard at the moment of his own death, to me, fits this perfectly. Even with his own faults, Roy confronted who he was, and battled against a perceived evil, that being Tyrell, even if it was his creator. <BR><BR>It is quite amazing how many mythlogical themes run through BR. After seeing the show over the past two nights (and re-reading the book, which is more detailed and has the full accounting of the transcripts, which had to be edited to a degree.) I think that perhaps even the writers of BR were influenced, at least in some degree by Campbell. <BR><BR>Opinions?
[addsig]

Very interesting! I haven't read Campbell's work, but just out of curiousity, what elements of Campbell's writing would you say appear in Bladerunner? This would be a good addition to the topic thread on here discussing whether or not Bladerunner is good story-telling. Thanks for the info! <IMG SRC="/forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif">
[addsig]

ReplicantDreams wrote:<BR>"Very interesting! I haven't read Campbell's work, but just out of curiousity, what elements of Campbell's writing would you say appear in Bladerunner?"<BR><BR>Well, there are several general ideas that permeate the story. Campbell was hugely adept at showing the relationship of symbolism used in myths throughout human societies, wherever they may be. BR is certainly rife with them. Case in point: at the end of Roy's speech, after he says "Time to die", and then releases the dove, indicating his spirit being released. This is classic mythological symbolism that Campbell discusses through out his work. <BR><BR>Another use of symbolism that Campbell would recognize is the use of the eye. Amongst other things, this has been a Masonic symbol, and while its meaning may be somewhat different for BR, the use of it in the same context (All knowing, all seeing) is important to note. <BR><BR>There is so much that Campbell wrote about, that it is almost impossible to nail down one specific thing that encapsulates it. Just the very notion that BR uses so much symbolism to relay its story is enough to show me that perhaps someone might have been influenced by Campbells work at some point.
[addsig]

Don't they also say that the eyes are the windows to the soul.
[addsig]

Hey, you know I was watching this the other night too, and when he talks about the two samurai, one hunting for revenge of his master about to strike the other down and the fallen one spits in the avengers face he turns around and walks away because it would've been wrong for him to kill then because he was in the wrong mindset of anger. It made me think of when Deckard is about to fall and spits at Batty right before he saves him.

[Kipple]

Yes! Yes! That thought came to my mind as well. I have that series on vhs ("The Power of Myth"). <BR><BR>I was going to bring that up as a forum...until I researched to make sure no one else did so...and well...here it is!<BR><BR>So...the question now is...(in light of this concept) would Batty have saved Deckard had Deckard not spat at him?
[addsig]

I agree that Blade Runner does have many elements as described in Campbell's book. I am not sure if the book itself had any influence on those creating the film though, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if Fancher and possibly Peoples had read it, particularly as the book is almost required reading in Hollywood. It would also not surprise me if Scott had read it.<BR><BR>However, some of the elements of the film that fall into the Hero picture that Campbell talks about are definitely not created from trying to make the characters behave in a pre-set way, but just becaus ethey were good ideas. And therein lies the impossibility of answering the question definitively - the distillation of the hero mythology references ancient stories as well as the best of early film. So, while some film-makers consciously try to emulate the Hero in their films, others do it simply by having discovered this essence for themselves and knowing how to put it together.<BR><BR>As for Roy saving Deckard after the spitting - the people concerned have slightly different memories of that scene. One version is that Roy reached out automatically, but another has it that he responded to Deckard's defiance in the face of death.<BR>
[addsig]

excellent post
[addsig]