Wednesday, April 25, 2012

The King2Hearts and the Monomyth

So, last time I talked about archetypes a little bit.  I have a feeling this is going to turn into a series, because the more I think about it, the more this show fits the whole Joseph Campbell Hero's Journey Monomyth.  


I'll explain what I mean after the jump and try not to make it too pedantic.  Spoilers through episode 10. 


There are many steps to the Hero's Journey and I didn't include them all.  These are the ones that I felt  fit the narrative the best.  

The first stage is:

Departure

The Call to Adventure – Jae-ha is on his last day in the army, a responsibility all able-bodied South Korean men are expected to fulfill.  He’s happy to leave but – Woops! His brother has other plans.  He is being sent to a special training for the WOC


Refusal of the Call – Well this speaks for itself.  He stamps his feet and says he’s not going. 

The Crossing of the First Threshold- This literally happens in the show.  Jae-ha is dumped outside of a door that rises.  In accepting the king’s command he must cross over and become a part of the team. 

Belly of The Whale – Jae-ha is faced by Shi-kyung with a gun. That dream-like quality where Jae-ha isn't quite sure if this is for real or not is typical of this stage.  As a hero, he faces the challenge and meets it.   Instead of falling apart, he takes the gun and points it at Shi-kyung.  The Quest has begun.

The second stage: 
 
Initiation

The Road of Trials – This is the various tests that happen during the WOC training.  With each test Jae-ha’s Fool persona cracks and his hidden strength appears. 

The Meeting With the Goddess-- I’ll let Joseph Campbell explain this one:
"The ultimate adventure, when all the barriers and ogres have been overcome, is commonly represented as a mystical marriage of the triumphant hero-soul with the Queen Goddess of the World. This is the crisis at the nadir, the zenith, or at the uttermost edge of the earth, at the central point of the cosmos, in the tabernacle of the temple, or within the darkness of the deepest chamber of the heart. The meeting with the goddess (who is incarnate in every woman) is the final test of the talent of the hero to win the boon of love (charity: amor fati), which is life itself enjoyed as the encasement of eternity. And when the adventurer, in this context, is not a youth but a maid, she is the one who, by her qualities, her beauty, or her yearning, is fit to become the consort of an immortal. Then the heavenly husband descends to her and conducts her to his bed—whether she will or not. And if she has shunned him, the scales fall from her eyes; if she has sought him, her desire finds its peace."                     Hello Hang-ah!
The Temptress:  This is often represented in the form of a woman, but not necessarily.  It is anything that derails the hero from his journey.  He falls off the wagon and has to get back on again.  In the show it could be his frustration at being faced with his brother’s killer and being able to do nothing.  Everything that he wanted to do was either unkingly (“Slit his throat!”) or impossible within the confines of his role as constitutional monarch.  It will be interesting to see what his first impulse will be when episode 11 shows his reaction to news of Hang-ah’s miscarriage.

This is the point where we are currently at with the show.  Everything from here on is pure speculation.

I think, also, that this is the point where the thriller part of the show kicks in and there will be more action, based on the stages of the hero’s journey left to be met. 

Atonement with the Father – I think it’s clear that the Father in this show is Jae-kang.  This step is probably the point where Jae-ha has all the information he needs to put his plan in motion.

Apotheosis – the lull before all the action hits.  Perhaps reunion with Hang-ah?  Hang-ah can't be a badass for nothing.  I have to believe that in reuniting with her Jae-ha will become stronger and she in turn will use her own strength to protect and aid him.  They are stronger together than apart.

The Ultimate Boon – For Jae-ha this will be the moment that he leaves behind childhood and truly becomes and man and a king. For Jae-ha this also means justice for his brother.

Finally,

Return

Refusal of the Return- Perhaps Jae-ha will be tempted to live a peaceful, simple life with Hang-ah. 

The Magic Flight – Perhaps escape with evidence of Club M wrongdoing?

The Crossing of the Return Threshold – This is where Jae-ha will return with the wisdom he has gained and use it not only for the betterment of himself, but for the world at large.  Having his throne (and here the throne is symbolic of the integrity of the South Korean government) challenged by a chaebol will lead to a confrontation on the role of business in government.  Remember, John Meyer has his people all in not only the South Korean government, but all across the world, bought and paid  for.  Here is where I think the show will ultimately be a sweeping indictment  of the interference of business in national sovereignty.

Master of Two Worlds – Jae-ha will have mastered himself as well as his role as king.

Freedom to Live – Jae-ha will be secure in his public and private life, no longer in fear from outside forces.   Happily ever after! Yay!


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