Saturday, December 5, 2015
"Star Wars" And Greek Mythology?
Is there a mythology to Star Wars? If anything, what patterns do you see regarding Greek Mythology and Star Wars? What will you take with you to other subjects regarding
Greek Mythology? Final observant thoughts to ponder about Greek
Mythology? Please complete blog by 2:30p.m. today, Dec. 10th.
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29 comments:
I do see mythology in star wars, there are many key concepts that surround regarding hero myths. There are roads of trials that the Jedis have to go through, they have temptresses, and are born out of unusual births. The idea of humans have supernatural powers (The force) can also be connected to mythology as a gift or aid from the gods. What I take away with the knowledge from greek myth is that you can find it in numerous places such as literature, religion, and even in everyday life. With more knowledge about greek myth it is easy to find yourself remembering stories about it and connecting it back to an even bigger idea.
I do think that there is mythology in Star Wars because the movies show key elements of a myth. In the first three movies, the main character, Anakin Skywalker, shows many heroic elements, such as having an identity and role in a warrior society, has a desire to be recognised by his superiors. He's on a quest for immortality (more for his wife, but he craves power and living large), he doesn't want to lose face or honor after being in the Jedi Council, he wanted to feel worthy and not just a pawn for the Council and Chancellor. Anakin wants all the prizes, fame, and worth. He had excessive pride about his wife/family, his power, his worth, which eventually lead to his downfall (hubris). Throughout all six movies, guest/host relationship is shown whenever anyone has to land on a planet. The planet's home people let Jedis stay with them. So yes, Star Wars does have mythology within it.
The stories within the Star Wars films present like myths. In both cases, heroes are thrust into their role in a time of need and are then made to face great struggle. Conduct in battle is a key factor in determining strength in addition to character. They are also collections of well known stories that have the potential to teach. Like Yoda, Greek myths have oracles and other sources of guidance that help heroes reach victory.
I do see a lot of mythology in Star Wars as it is. Like some of the people said above the trials that the heroes such as the Jedis have to go through the matches up with the trials a classic Greek hero would have to go through. As far as a hero receiving assurance from a god on their adventures the force would seem to fit this role. You could argue that the force is a gift from God. Also there is a sense of the guest/host relationship. If a traveler needs assistance he doesn't have to go far to receive it. Because of all of this I believe that there is some mythology based content in Star Wars.
I think there is mythology in Star Wars because does the main characters suffer from hubris, overcome heroic challenges, and guest-host relationships. From this class, I have already seen the connections in my Western Civ and English Lit classes especially. The elements of Greek mythology have shown up, as well as actual story lines. Greece is the basic building block of most modern culture, and Greek Myth is an important element of culture.
In both Greek Mythology and Star Wars heroes are faced with problems that they have to overcome. Much the same in both, the heroes are helped by a higher power. In Star Wars the heroes are helped by mentors, the force, and jedis. In Greek mythology the heroes are helped by the gods.
In both Greek Mythology and Star Wars heroes are faced with problems that they have to overcome. Much the same in both, the heroes are helped by a higher power. In Star Wars the heroes are helped by mentors, the force, and jedis. In Greek mythology the heroes are helped by the gods.
I do think that star wars has a mythological aspect to it with superhumans and the white and black concept of good verses evil. However like a lot of Greek myths like the Odyssey there are a lot of grey areas within star wars. An example is how Darth Vader decides to save Luke and kill the Emperor it showed how even though he was classified as a villain he still could do good acts and care about his family.
There is mythology in star wars. Many of the characters have heroic elements. The heros in star wars also have heros journeys and trials that a Greek heros also goes through. The supernatural powers they have can also relate to gifts from the gods that the Greeks receive.
Star Wars has a lot of mythology elements in it. George Lucas even stated that he wanted to use the motifs of ancient mythology in a modern sense and with modern problems. Mythology of the ancient world included problems they faced included pride and the fight between good and evil. Star Wars embraces those elements as well. I can see myself using Greek mythology in my other classes like my world mythology class and in my English classes.
In a way it is. The ideas of Star Wars are pulled from many different places. For example George Lucas was influenced by the Asian culture for one of the planets. I wouldn't be surprised if Star Wars has some connection to Greek Mythology. Both Greek Mythology and Star Wars have an exaggerated perspective on humanity as well as the Hero's journey.
Mythology in Star Wars, while it does not point to any certain myth, definitely has mythic elements. There's an overarching story, with the main character being something of a hero. We follow this hero through the story as they attempt to overcome obstacles, in this case being Luke Skywalker. A distinct cast of characters, while not required in myth but is usually used, follows Skywalker, aiding him to not only try and overcome his physical obstacles, but also his internal ones as well. As the story progresses, a larger enemy presents itself, this being the Empire and Darth Vader, and the hero must fight these enemies to wrap up his story and be taken back home. Overall, Star Wars has a lot of influence from common parts of myths. What I can take from Greek Myth to other subjects is a developed understanding of how to find the deeper meaning in subjects.
Star Wars has mythology in it in many ways. The relationships between humans and machines represents the path that one would follow, the creator uses colors very specifically, and he uses influences in his everyday life so he may take a liking to mythology. He went back into other religions, including Greek Mythology, to see what makes a good, evil villain. The creator also explains that Darth Vader isn't psychotic, he is the evil inside of us all. He also like to bring familial aspects into play as well.
Greek history plays into much of modern media and you can notice these influences in Star Wars. Mythology is a way to help explain how the world works, much as Star Wars does, just in alternate realities. There is the struggle that Greek heroes go through, that the Jedis of Star Wars have to combat as well. Luke Skywalker had to go on a journey away from his home, and he had teachers and leaders such as Obi-Wan Kanobi, and Yoda who guided him on how to stay on the good/right path... Much as how Greek heroes were often assisted by gods to do things they otherwise wouldn't be able to do. Greek Mythology was one of the first developed civilizations with stories, culture, and connections that we look back to for explanations of different aspects of life. There are many modern influences from Greek culture, like the alphabet, democracy, mythology etc.
I do think that Star Wars has lots of mythology in it. He used motifs such as fear and the underworld and put them into Star Wars. For example, George Lucas made dearth maul look like hades or Satan. I think that not only do these motifs occur in Star Wars, but they occur in many other aspects of life as they are so fundemental to us as humans, and that is why they have lasted so long.
I think there is Greek mythology in the Star Wars series. The main characters that are in Star Wars, such as Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, could be connected to the Greek gods. In some parts, heroism is the same in Star Wars as it is in mythology. In both, normal people can do heroic acts and they get help from someone above. Star Wars heroes are helped by Jedis and mythology heroes are helped by the gods.
I do see motifs of mythology In star wars from the Jedi's to the Sith's. Like the Jedi's and how they are very similar to heroes in Greek mythology. Jedi's for example cant give into temptations like a lot of heroes in Greek mythology. Also Darth Maul is a good example of how we would imagine the Devil or Lucifer.
The creator of star wars was very much conscious of myths and their motifs in the presentation and creating of the movie. Themes found in many of our myths read in class are present in the Star Wars films. Themes such as, male obligation to his people and family, journeys, etc. In myths such as Hector, who is obligated to bring success to the people of Troy as well as his wife and young son, his success is what represents and brings pride and safety. Like the creator said, when a writer sits down to write a new script/story, they are influenced immensely by what has already been done, and what they have seen. Myths are something that people are familiar with that subconsciously could work theirselves into the story. Also, when in doubt, for inspiration and background of the creation of a story, it is helpful for characters, plot lines to be based on myths already in existence and recognizable, like the creation of Sith where villains in Greek myth, along with Christian and Hindu myths, were used in order to help build the basics of his character.
Star Wars does have some aspects of mythology, or could relate to it. It says the machines that have a personality and human like emotions, like the gods were portrayed that they actually have human like emotions. Darth maul could be related to the devil or Hades, to show evil. Jedi's are the top of the chain that they can tamper with the world, and similar to the gods they can do this without consent. The greed and compassion of the dark and light sides, shows the difference between good and bad. There is a mentor and a apprentice, this could even relate to say Athena who helped out the humans and showed them strength,
Star Wars does have some mythology to it. First, many of the cultures George Lucas thinks of have their own beliefs that he has come up with to make them appear more real. Darth Maul is created using many different cultures ideas of evil or death. The Death Star is mainly only black and white with no color representing evil on the ship. I will take with me to other subjects the ideas and stories of Greek mythology to help me understand things such as art and literature that continually use mythology.
I do think there is a lot mythology in Star Wars. For example there is Anakin Skywalker who went on a quest to be seen by the most powerful characters. He was in search of more power and immortality, just like many heroic myths we have read about. This mostly relates to Jason and the Golden Fleece because they both are on that long journey for power and immortality and doing whatever it takes. While Star Wars is relatable to greek myths the movie is not based on any one myth. They have mythic elements and we follow the characters through their stories, just like in myths.
I think Star wars does have mythology in there story because the writer uses culture to make his costumes and films different from another movie there has been. Also in order to create characters he would use characteristics from different religious customs along with stories and descriptions from greek mythology. And he uses some of the real world mixed with a nightmare to really create the feeling and the story he is trying to show people.
George Lucas wrote and directed Star Wars with common themes and motif that exist in mythology. George Lucas was successful in embodying those themes and motif. Star Wars is laced in mythology. One of the most obvious example of Greek Mythology in Star Wars is Darth Maul. George Lucas admits to modeling Darth Maul off of different religions' and cultures'-including Greek Mythology- vision of evil. Stars Wars also deals with the hero's journey. Luke learns and grows, has strengths and weaknesses, and deals with hubris, the guest/host relationship, and the relationship between father and son. Han Solo deals with hubris. Throughout the first two installments in the Star Wars saga. Han Solo is used as an example of the repercussions of hubris. Han Solo lived thinking he was indestructible; he lived dangerously with great confidence. Han Solo's hubris eventually caught up with him as he was captured and frozen in the carbonite.The Imperial soldiers deal with the guest/host relationship. The Imperial soldiers invade and destroy part of the ewoks' home. In turn the ewoks help our heroes defeat the the Empire. Luke deals with the relationship between father and son. In Greek Mythology, the son kills the father for the father's power. Zeus killed his father, Kronos, to take his power. In Star Wars Luke doesn't kill his father for power. He defeats his father because it is what is right for the people of the galaxy. Delving in the themes of guest/host,father/son, and hubris, Star Wars is a mythology.
There is definitely a mythology to Star Wars because the director when writing the stories tried to recreate these myths with their accompanying motifs. The director put in characters that were either lawfully good or lawfully evil with no inbetween similar to how Greek myths have their solid protagonist and obvious antagonist. The director says he drew from Hindu mythology and Christian mythology as well for inspiration for characters and concepts in his film. The directors idea behind the concept of the force in his movie is to add a God or spirituality concept to the film. I will be able to use Greek mythology in my other subjects by applying the Greek myth archetypes and motifs to my work and even my very own life, these archetypes can be applied to almost anything.
There is definitely mythology in Star Wars. There are many heroes and many villains. The journeys that many Jedi's go through build character and have a moral or lesson to them. I also see guest host relations in the movies. The host is always kind to the guest and guest always accepts gifts and is very kind. Another connection I saw was how Darth Vader is Luke's father. This connects with Zeus and his many children. Some of Zeus's children followed his footsteps for good and others betrayed him for evil.
There might be a hidden meaning of all of the characters in Star Wars and what happen in the movies. I honestly think they are simply just a series of movies but who knows. There could easily be a deeper meaning to the fact that Darth Vador is Luke's father. I do admit, after taking this class, I do wonder more about what is fact and what is fiction. Many people stretch the truth and it slowly changes the story.
yoda and Eurydice get married, but later that night, Eurydice is bit by a snake and dies. So far, so terrible. Overcome with grief, yoda travels to the Underworld to bring her back to life. He convinces Hades and Persephone to let Eurydice go, but her release comes with a catch: Eurydice must walk behind him as they ascend to the upper world, and Orpheus is forbidden from looking at her.
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