Diss1 : In Preludes & Nocturnes many heroes experience a journey. As a result, many characters
function as multiple character archetypes.
Question: if we consider Hellblazer (John Constantine) the hero of the chapter titled "Dream a
Little Dream of Me" and, which characters act as the herald, the wiseman, the shadow, etc?
You need to identify the archetypes AND provide a rationale for why you believe this character
serves as the archetype from monomyth.
Diss 2: Directions: In essence, intertextuality is the idea that each text we read will be informed
by the previous texts we read. The magic of Neil Gaiman's Sandman series is that multiple
references to mythical beings and other characters in the DC Universe are present. Therefore,
those who have read other DC titles and ancient mythology will be informed by these
experiences upon reading Sandman. However, we do not need to know about these guests in
order to enjoy Gaiman's story.
Becoming familiar with the guests in the tale, however, does add to the depth of the story being
told. Choose a character from Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes and conduct a little background
research on the character (example characters below). In two to three paragraphs, describe your
findings.
One paragraph for each myth associated with the object or being you choose.
One paragraph about how they manifest in other comic books
One paragraph about how they manifest in other mythologies (if applicable).
Example below:
Be creative. If, for example, you find out Morpheus is the God of dreams. Then Google search
"God of Dreams" and see what other types of characters show up. Hypnos would likely show up,
for example. Or Oneiroi. You could write a paragraph on Hypnos, one on Oneiroi, and one on
Morpheus as he exists in Ovid's Metamorphoses.
Because I used Morpheus as an example, he cannot be used for the exercise :)
ONCE A CHARACTER HAS BEEN USED, PLEASE DO NOT USE THE SAME
CHARACTER (exceptions allowed if you submit within a minute or two of another person,
under the premise that you both wrote about the same character around roughly the same
time).
1. Etrigan (DC Comics)
2. Hellblazer (DC Comics)
3. Dr. Destiny (DC Comics)
4. Cain & Abel (The Bible)
5. Azazel
6. Beelzebub
Remember:
250 words minimum
Respond to others
Use citation if you quote sources word-for-word!
Do not rely on a simple cut and paste approach. You must write this in your own words, using
quotes to support your thoughts.
Monomyth
“Monomyth” is the term Joseph Campbell used to
describe a phenomenon he observed in myths across
the world. Most myth, he posited, shares a similar
structure, with similar character archetypes.
Monomyth & Sandman
Over the years, monomyth has been observed in
countless works of literature and many films, most
notably, Star Wars.
However, just because the elements of monomyth are
included in many texts, this does not mean the author
based their material on Campbell’s writings.
Monomyth & Sandman
Neil Gaiman, author of Sandman, says he never
finished Campbell’s book (The Hero with 1,000 Faces),
stating that if his book ended up following the
patterns, he’d rather have it occur inadvertently rather
than with intention.
George Lucas, on the other hand, was quite familiar
with Campbell’s work, and interviewed Campbell
before he died in 1987.
What is Monomyth?
Joseph Campbell’s “Monomyth” consists of several
stages in the hero’s journey. Not all need to be present
in a story in order for it to fit comfortably within the
parameters established by Campbell.
The concept also features character archetypes.
Stages
1. Call to Adventure: by which the hero becomes
immersed in a world far greater than the one he
originally came to understand.
2. Road of Trials: upon which the hero encounters
various challenges . They can either fail, or succeed
(obviously).
Stages Con’t
3: Goal or Boon. If the hero succeeds, they are
rewarded with something. That something could be as
minor as a greater understanding of the world or a
shift in perception. It could be as great as some divine
power which could lead to salvation.
4. Return to the ordinary world: Hero returns to their
original home, bringing their gift or boon with them.
It is their choice as to whether or not they decide to
share this gift, and with whom they share it.
Stages Cont
5. Application of the gift or boon: hero somehow
changes his/her home world or land by using the gift
or boon.
Examples
Can you think of any examples from film, literature, or
comic books?
Character Archetypes
The hero: the main
character, undergoing
trials, acquiring gift, etc.
Character Archetypes Cont
The wise man: guides
the hero into the new
world, provides multiple
insights.
Character Archetypes
The threshold guardian:
lets the hero into the
new world after he has
passed a trial. In many
works the wise man and
the threshold guardian
are one and the same. It
can also be a villain.
Character Archetypes
Herald: calls the hero to
action.
Character Archetypes
Shapeshifter: usually
starts of as an ally of the
hero, but deceives the
hero in some way or
another.
Character Archetypes
Shadow: the villain.
Character Archetype
Trickster: not necessarily
a villain, but someone
who makes light of the
severity of the situation.
Acts as a jester of sorts,
comic relief in a way.
Monomyth & Sandman
As you read the next two chapters of Sandman, think
about the hero’s journey. There are hero journeys
within hero’s journeys in the next two chapters. Pay
particular attention to Hellblazer, and his “journey.”
Because Sandman is also on a journey, many
characters have dual roles. What is Hellblazer’s role in
Sandman’s Hero Journey?
Monomyth & Sandman
Homework: go through chapters 3 & 4 of Preludes and
Nocturnes. Identify which stages of the hero’s journey
are present, either in Sandman’s journey or
Hellblazer’s.
Then note character archetypes in Sandman and
Hellblazer’s journey.
Do your best. Don’t try to find all stages and all
character archetypes. Some may not be present.
Interview with Neil Gaiman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ei9OQkQ2BU
17:00
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