Introduction
Greek mythology has long provided a foundation for understanding heroic narratives, with figures like Achilles embodying archetypal qualities of strength, vulnerability, and transformation. In Module Six, we explored Joseph Campbell’s concept of the Hero’s Journey, a monomyth that outlines a universal pattern in hero stories, including stages such as the Call to Adventure, Trials, and the Return (Campbell, 1949). This essay compares the ancient Greek hero Achilles, primarily from Homer’s Iliad, to the modern hero Anakin Skywalker from the Star Wars saga. While Achilles is a demigod warrior driven by rage and honour, Anakin is a gifted Jedi who succumbs to the dark side, ultimately finding redemption. By examining their stories through the Hero’s Journey framework, this analysis highlights similarities in their miraculous births, calls to adventure, mentors, trials, and redemptive returns. The comparison reveals how ancient myths influence contemporary storytelling, demonstrating the enduring relevance of Campbell’s model. This discussion draws on classical texts and modern analyses to argue that both heroes embody the monomyth’s core elements, albeit with tragic twists, offering insights into human complexity.
The Miraculous Conception and Birth in Heroic Narratives
One of the initial stages in Campbell’s Hero’s Journey is the hero’s unusual or miraculous birth, which sets them apart from ordinary individuals and foreshadows their destiny (Campbell, 1949). In Greek mythology, Achilles exemplifies this through his divine parentage and protective rituals. Born to the mortal king Peleus and the sea nymph Thetis, Achilles’ conception is notable for its supernatural elements. Thetis, attempting to make her son immortal, dips him in the River Styx, rendering him invulnerable except for his heel (Homer, 8th century BCE). This act not only highlights his semi-divine status but also introduces his tragic flaw, a common motif in heroic tales that underscores vulnerability amidst strength.
Similarly, Anakin Skywalker’s birth aligns with this stage, presenting a modern interpretation of the miraculous conception. In Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Anakin is revealed to have been conceived without a father, implied to be the result of the Force’s will, making him a prophesied “Chosen One” destined to bring balance to the Force (Lucas, 1999). This virgin birth echoes mythological patterns, such as those in Greek lore, where heroes like Perseus are born under divine intervention. As Vogler (2007) notes in his application of Campbell’s model to screenwriting, Anakin’s origin story establishes him as a figure of immense potential, much like Achilles, whose birth narrative prefigures his role in the Trojan War.
However, while both births emphasise predestined greatness, they also introduce elements of foreshadowed downfall. Achilles’ heel symbolises inevitable mortality, and Anakin’s Force-conceived birth ties him to a volatile path between light and dark. This comparison illustrates how the Hero’s Journey’s birth stage serves to elevate the protagonist while planting seeds of conflict, a pattern that persists from ancient epics to science fiction.
The Call to Adventure and Refusal
Campbell describes the Call to Adventure as a pivotal moment where the hero is summoned to leave the ordinary world and embark on a quest, often met with initial refusal due to fear or reluctance (Campbell, 1949). For Achilles, this call manifests during the Trojan War. Initially, he joins the Greek forces, but his refusal becomes evident when he withdraws from battle after a dispute with Agamemnon over the slave girl Briseis (Homer, 8th century BCE). This act of defiance represents a temporary rejection of his heroic duty, driven by personal honour and rage, which Campbell might interpret as the hero’s internal struggle before fully committing to the journey.
Anakin’s journey mirrors this in Star Wars. His initial call comes when Qui-Gon Jinn discovers him on Tatooine and recognises his potential as a Jedi (Lucas, 1999). Anakin hesitates, torn between his life as a slave and the unknown path of Jedi training, but ultimately accepts. A deeper refusal emerges later, in Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, where his growing doubts about the Jedi Order lead him to embrace the dark side as Darth Vader (Lucas, 2005). This shift can be seen as a refusal of the heroic light-side path, paralleling Achilles’ withdrawal. As Rushing and Frentz (1995) argue in their Jungian analysis of Star Wars, Anakin’s internal conflict reflects archetypal tensions, much like Achilles’ menis (wrath) in the Iliad.
Arguably, both heroes’ refusals highlight the Hero’s Journey’s emphasis on personal agency and moral ambiguity. While Achilles’ refusal leads to temporary isolation, Anakin’s culminates in transformation into a villain, yet both propel the narrative forward, demonstrating the monomyth’s flexibility in accommodating tragic elements.
Mentors and Trials in the Hero’s Path
Mentorship is a crucial stage in the Hero’s Journey, where a wise figure provides guidance and tools for the hero’s trials (Campbell, 1949). Achilles benefits from multiple mentors, including the centaur Chiron, who trains him in warfare and medicine, and later Phoenix, who advises him during his rage (Homer, 8th century BCE). These figures embody the archetype of the wise old man, helping Achilles navigate his path. His trials, such as the battles in Troy and the killing of Hector, test his physical prowess and emotional resilience, culminating in personal growth through loss, like the death of Patroclus.
In the Star Wars saga, Anakin’s mentors include Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and later the manipulative Emperor Palpatine. Obi-Wan, in particular, trains Anakin in the ways of the Force, mirroring Chiron’s role (Lucas, 1999). Anakin’s trials are multifaceted, involving lightsaber duels, moral dilemmas, and his turn to the dark side, such as the slaughter of the Tusken Raiders and his betrayal of the Jedi (Lucas, 2002; 2005). Vogler (2007) applies Campbell’s framework to note how these trials forge the hero’s character, much as Achilles’ confrontations do.
Furthermore, both heroes face trials that expose their flaws: Achilles’ hubris leads to unnecessary deaths, while Anakin’s fear of loss drives his fall. This parallel underscores the Hero’s Journey’s role in character development, where mentors aid but cannot prevent the hero’s internal battles. Typically, these elements add depth, showing heroes as relatable despite their extraordinary circumstances.
The Return and Redemption
The final stages of the Hero’s Journey involve the hero’s return, often with newfound wisdom or redemption (Campbell, 1949). Achilles’ return is poignant; after avenging Patroclus by killing Hector, he shows mercy to Priam, returning Hector’s body and achieving a measure of emotional resolution (Homer, 8th century BCE). This act signifies his transformation from rage-driven warrior to a more humane figure, aligning with Campbell’s notion of the hero bringing boons back to the world.
Anakin’s arc culminates in Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, where, as Darth Vader, he redeems himself by saving his son Luke from the Emperor, sacrificing his life to restore balance to the Force (Lucas, 1983). This redemptive return echoes Achilles’ mercy, as both heroes overcome their darker impulses. Rushing and Frentz (1995) interpret this as a mythic resolution, where the hero integrates shadow aspects, a concept rooted in Campbell’s monomyth.
However, Anakin’s journey is more explicitly redemptive, transforming from antagonist to hero, whereas Achilles’ return is bittersweet, knowing his death is imminent. Indeed, this comparison reveals how modern narratives adapt the Hero’s Journey to emphasise hope and forgiveness, contrasting with the fatalistic tone of Greek myth.
Conclusion
In summary, comparing Achilles and Anakin Skywalker through Campbell’s Hero’s Journey illuminates striking parallels in their miraculous births, calls to adventure, mentorships, trials, and returns. Both stories enact the monomyth’s elements, from divine origins to redemptive arcs, demonstrating the timeless appeal of heroic patterns. This analysis not only bridges ancient Greek mythology with modern cinema but also highlights limitations, such as the Hero’s Journey’s potential oversight of cultural specifics—Achilles’ tale is steeped in honour-bound warfare, while Anakin’s reflects contemporary themes of inner conflict and technology. Ultimately, these narratives remind us of heroism’s complexity, encouraging further exploration of how myths evolve. By studying such comparisons, we gain deeper insights into human nature, applicable beyond academia to understanding personal growth in everyday life. (Word count: 1124, including references)
References
- Campbell, J. (1949) The Hero with a Thousand Faces. New World Library.
- Homer. (8th century BCE) The Iliad. Translated by R. Fagles (1990). Penguin Classics.
- Lucas, G. (Director). (1983) Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi [Film]. Lucasfilm.
- Lucas, G. (Director). (1999) Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace [Film]. Lucasfilm.
- Lucas, G. (Director). (2002) Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones [Film]. Lucasfilm.
- Lucas, G. (Director). (2005) Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith [Film]. Lucasfilm.
- Rushing, J. H. and Frentz, T. S. (1995) Projecting the Shadow: The Cyborg Hero in American Film. University of Chicago Press.
- Vogler, C. (2007) The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers. 3rd edn. Michael Wiese Productions.
