The myth of the hero according to Carl Gustav Jung

The myth of the hero represents for Jung the central point through which the rest of the motifs orbit., thus becoming the archetypal drama par excellence. Through this, our ego’s search for meaning is symbolically narrated, which allows us to direct our libido (vital energy) towards the highest enterprises.

In the myth of the hero, the protagonist must go through a series of stages or tests in which he or she must confront and integrate his or her shadow. Be aware of and integrate the opposite anima/animus of it and return regenerated (or initiated) in a process that can be understood as retroprogressive.

The myth of the hero: stages or moments

We can divide the myth of the hero into a series of stages or moments that are established based on the achievements achieved in each of these. We need it below.

First moment: matriarchal status-quo

Quasi-incestuous situation in the womb that is symbolized by water, a cave or the dragon. It is a pre-heroic situation in which the protagonist is still a child or adolescent and is not called to adventure. On the other hand, his mother complex prevents him from taking the initiative, being active and purposeful.

Second moment: break with the matriarchy

At the moment the youthful hero emerges. He fights with his sword or spear (representing masculine power) against the dragon (representing matriarchal). This struggle entails completely detaching herself from the maternal complex, from the trapping mother and her incestuous origins.

Third moment: victory of patriarchy

In this third and decisive moment, the victory of the hero over the dragon is imposed (solar victory over matriarchy), affirmation of the conscious-masculine self and conquest of the virile animus. The hero gains recognition, identity and name.

The Western hero, since the remote times of the Indo-European peoples, privileges this moment of patriarchalization and ascension, of virile and masculine power. However, the oriental affirms more the regressive and the matriarchal descent.

Fourth moment: religation of patriarchy with matriarchy

The authentic Jungian hero overcomes the eminently patriarchal phase by now religating the matriarchal-feminine libido (anima) repressed in the virile struggle, assuming its shadow. Reconciliation of conscious and unconscious, complicating the animus and anima. Symbolic marriage with the goddess-woman. This last moment does not occur in all cases.

The ideal Jungian hero

For Carl Gustav Jung, the hero myth would conclude with the emergence of a kind of androgynous hero (which brings together the characteristics of both sexes). Therefore, she would achieve a balance between nature and culture, masculine and feminine, unconscious and conscious.

For example, Jung, Goethe, Socrates and Jesus could be considered quasi-androgynous, in contrast to Wotan, El Cid, Siegfried and others, in whom the classic patriarchal and virile power of the hero prevails (ideals of law, order, justice, hierarchy, subordination and discipline).

Definitely, For Jung, the myth of the hero represents the vital struggle for meaning, by the displacement of an egocentric vision towards something greater than the self, the self. The conclusion of the hero myth allows access to a higher state of consciousness in which the pattern of life and ideals change significantly.

Carl Gustav Jung

The myth of the modern hero

Today, Western societies have witnessed a rapid collapse of patriarchy and the imposition of a matriarchy without a true transition stage. One thing has been replaced by the other in just one generation. This has made men, especially, feel that they have lost their place in this society.

The situation is not better for women, since even today no reasonable alternatives have been proposed to replace the old schemes in which Western societies have developed for thousands of years (since the Indo-European peoples put an end to matriarchal societies, imposing patriarchy).

As for the myth of the hero, it is curious to see how In our postmodern culture the old patriarchal hero is being replaced by quasi-androgynous anti-heroes.. Former virile heroes like Parsifal, Conan, Julius Caesar or Washington fade into the background. Thus, they are replaced by less abrupt and aggressive heroes, but more sensitive and open to love, sensitive towards others and fearful of death.

In conclusion, Societies evolve. This evolution is never linear but cyclical.. Human beings tend to repeat history and the same patterns of behavior. However, one thing is clear: every society needs its own heroes. Therefore, the myth of the hero will remain whatever the events to come.

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