Megan Fung

15 October 2012 The Lord of the Rings Tr i l ogy and Joseph Campbel l s Monomyth

Throughout the his to ry of l i t e ra tu re , heroes have evolved, both in the physica l manifes ta t i on and purpose. Or have they? Joseph Campbel l , author of The Hero with a Thousand Faces, instituted the concept of the monomyth, the basic story pattern that can be applied to seemingly all literary works. As Campbell said, The hero is the same, but the costume changes. A perfect example of the monomyth if The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien. The protagonist, Frodo Baggins, follows the same separation, initiation, return pattern as outlined by Campbell. Frodos journey is an amalgam of merry times, corporeal hardships, and mental instability. The Lord of the Rings trilogy is consistent with Joseph Campbells monomyth format because the process of S.I.R. is completed, along with the subcategories. Separation, the first third of the monomyth, is composed of subcategories, as can be seen in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Frodo was enamored with the Shire, the hobbits home amongst evergreen knolls and babbling brooks. With the arrival of the wizard Gandalf and the departure of his uncle Bilbo, Frodo receives the call to adventure in the form of the One Ring. In the words of Campbell, The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure. He initially refuses to carry the Ring from the Shire, instead offering it to Gandalf; the wise wizard here takes the position of Frodos mentor. Frodo begins to understand the gravity of the situation and leaves for the village of Bree, accompanied by his gardener, Samwise. Joined by their two hobbit friends and a Ranger by the name of Strider, the company makes their way towards Rivendell. Frodo finally passes into the Elvish territory with Arwen, though he has been gravely injured and could die. Frodo is now initiated into this world, new and foreign to him. He has gained a protector and ally in Strider, and forms a fellowship with eight others. These defenders of the free people of Middle-earth begin the long journey to Mordor, where they anticipate the destruction of the One Ring. Initiation in Joseph Campbells monomyth entails gaining allies, making enemies, and going through trials, often testing the heros faith or his fighting abilities. Frodo goes through many trials and tribulations, testing both his physical and mental strength and will to destroy the ring. The power of the ring afflicts him constantly and he grows an unnatural love and attachment to it. Finally he and Sam approach the inmost cave, in his case, Mordor. Though they know of his demeritorious nature, Frodo and Sam are guided by the creature Gollum through Mordor.

The apex of the story comes jus t before the return of the hero to h old , fami l i a r world . Gol lum resc inds his promise to do no harm to Frodo Sam and attempts to ki l l them, and pur lo in the r ing . Frodo and the eve fa i t h fu l Sam stagger towards the entrance to Mount Doom, managing to destroy the One Ring. While th i s is occurr ing , an army of men f igh t s befo the Black Gate to buy them t ime. Mount Doom explodes and Frodo and Sam are st randed on i t s s lopes . They reminisce about the Shire , and al l the go and beaut i fu l th ings they wil l miss, and have forgot ten al l too quick ly du the i r adventure . Regrets are i l l uminat i ons come too la te descr ibes the state of mind in the i r supposed las t moments regret fu l . They are rescue by eagles , and vis i t Rivendel l and Gondor before return ing home to the Shire . In Gondor, Frodo and his f r i ends are hai led as heroes , and t reated w immense respect . The Lord of the Rings can find its provenance in the tales of old, and is identical in structure and substance. Joseph Campbell has successfully derived a literary skeleton from all stories, one which supports and helps the plots of all narratives glide along smoothly. Frodos reward, his elixir, was freedom; all people of Middle-earth were free from evil. His task completed, Frodo left Middle-earth for the Undying Lands. Joseph Campbell said, a hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. Frodo never felt comfortable in his old life after his adventure. He lost his ability to live as a normal hobbit, but achieved peace and freedom for all people of Middle-earth.