Joseph J. Campbell 'The Hero with a Thousand Faces' Essay

Joseph J. Campbell The Hero with a Thousand Faces - Essay ExampleCampbells monomyth (also known as a heros journey) is an essential pattern that a person who is to become a hero mustiness take, in order to become a hero. It is a matter of great interest that most multitude who are fit being regarded as hero, have led a life that is commensurate with Campbells monomyth and this includes the life, times and achievements of Martin Luther, the German monk, professor of theology, the head figure of the Great Reformation of the 16th century Christianity (Protestant Reformation) and author Catholic priest. This element of consistency between the two shall be seen in the discussion that ensues forthwith. According to Campbell, the setoff stage that the potential hero has to experience is the experiencing of the ordinary world. Herein, the individual becomes uncomfortable, unaware or uneasy as he is introduced to the audience, so as to identify with his situation or dilemma. The individua l may be envisioned against a background of personal history, heredity and environmental background. Particularly, there is a strong element of foretoken in the life of the individual and thereby pulling him in different diametric directions, causing him stress. The straight off foregoing can also be seen in the life of Martin Luther (November 10, 1483- February 18, 1546), a man of German nationality who grew up to be a monk, a priest, a theologian and the professor who authored the 95 theses. Having been born into the Holy popish Empire, Luther rose up to be a Catholic priest. At the time, the religious environment in which Luther operated and lived was putrid with complacency, since the Roman Catholic church building was practicing the selling of indulgences suffered covertly the popes and members of the clergy to keep mistresses continued to operate as an intact part of the state neither regard the teachings of Biblical Scriptures nor taught the same to the laity and had amas sed a vast kitty-cat of wealth illegitimately, through these means. Even life outside the Church was not any better. The raunchy life style that had suffused the rest of Germany is underscored by Luther referring to University of Erfurt which he had attended as a beerhouse and a whorehouse (Maritain, 75). Secondly, there is a call to adventure. Herein, there is an element that shakes up the situation. These elements may emanate either from external pressures, or from inhering pressure. This pressure compels the hero to face the beginnings of change. One of the planets that clearly served as a call to adventure for Martin Luther was the July 2, 1505 incident. Herein, Luther was move on a horseback on his way to the university when a lightning bolt struck near him. He made a cry for help and promised to become a monk- a development that seriously wild his father who had invested heavily in Luthers education. Later, after he had become a priest, Luthers pick up with St. Pauls Ep istle to the Romans (especially Romans 117) seriously woke him up to the spiritual reality that was contradictory to the Catholic Churchs teachings and practices. This encounter compelled Luther to read more and to begin questioning the practices pertinent to universality, until he was convinced that Catholicism was not in line with Scriptural teachings. The foregoing may be succeeded by the refusal to call. This refusal may be underpinned by the fear of the unknown and any danger that may lie ahead, and thereby dissuading the individual from embarking on the adventure. This usually happens briefly. It is a fact that even after the lightning bolt incident, Luther was somewhat reluctant to join the monastery, even though he answered the call almost immediately. Secondly, even after the