'Monomyth' / 'Hero's Journey' Elements & 'Archetype' applied to Melisandre - GoT
In this case I'm treating Stannis as the hero, even though his story doesn't actually follow the hero's journey through to the end. This is in order to highlight the character of Melisandre, or the Red Woman / Red Priestess. Game of Thrones characters are pretty complex and their stories are often really interwoven so I'm trying to draw parallels against the Monomyth and Archetypes in order to relate to the question of why the witch figure is an enduring image.
In Melisandre's case she epitomises the Seductress form of the witch character. She is a contemporary example of the description of the sexual temptress that lures men in order to get what she wants. In the case of Stannis she achieves control over him in order to direct his actions to supposedly reflect and favour the will of her god, the Lord of Light.
Melisandre has a striking appearance in contrast with her surroundings. She is tall, slim, pale, with red hair and red clothing. She is immune to the cold and doesn't wear much considering her environment. She is aligned with the archetypal image of the seductress witch as she uses both her magic and her body as tools of manipulation against men.
She acts as 'Supernatural Aid' and close counsellor to Stannis. Offering 'help' to the 'true king' through information, prophecy, and ultimately through manipulation. She convinces him to follow the Lord of Light, ensuring him that she has prophesied his victory, although we actually see that this leads Stannis to defeat. She represents the 'Meeting with the Goddess' as she and Stannis form a bond in that he feels gives him greater power.
Her character is heavily sexual, and lives to serve her god. This sees her performing rituals, or convincing others to perform rituals that are essentially just glorified murder. Her character is so influential on Stannis that she takes advantage of his desperation as his attempts in battle fail, and even convinces him to brutally burn his own child at the stake, in the name of the Lord of Light and for the good of his cause. We see that nothing comes of this except more death and defeat.
Melisandre carries out ceremonial or ritual magic, most of which revolves around her sexuality. For example when she retrieves royal blood from Gendry, she ties him to a bed and removes her clothes, taking advantage of his arousal to draw his blood with leeches.
Game of Thrones sounds really mental when you write about it...
Basically she's always getting her kit off. (<-- Not putting this in essay)
She convinces Stannis that she can provide him with a son, resulting in him giving in to his carnal urges despite having a wife. Although later it isn't a child she bears but a supernatural shadow assassin. HA! whaaat? Also in regards to her sexuality, we see her try to tempt Jon Snow to have sex with her, but he rejects her advances. She is the 'Woman as Temptress'.
Supernatural Aid
Description: Some help is given to the hero, sufficient to make them wiser and stronger, and hopefully better able to face the challenges of the adventure.
The aid given may include maps, information, weapons or some special talisman. It may be discovered by the hero, but is often furnished by a mentor of some kind.
The hero may also be joined by a companion of some kind or perhaps an entire party, who will provide help along the way but cannot do what the hero must do.
Discussion: The hero starts out as an ordinary person who would perhaps not be able to defeat the terrible opponents who will block his path. The aid acts to redress the balance somewhat, giving the hero some chance of success.
Depending on the story, the aid may be magical or supernatural in nature. In 'real world' stories where magic is not allowed, then more normal aid may be given, such as where an older detective gives sage advice to the enthusiastic young rookie.
A critical attribute that the mentor often gives is confidence. This gives the hero the ability to accept the call and face the slings and arrows of the unknown adventure.
Note that this aid must not be too powerful or else there would be no excitement in the story. An 'invulnerability suit' would likely be just too boring. Thus, for example, Frodo's ring has the downside of trying to take over his mind and exposing him to Sauron's gaze.
The hero's companions serve both as support, much as a football team who makes the space for the actual score. Companions also act as contrast, throwing light onto the hero and highlighting their special and heroic qualities.
The Meeting with the Goddess
Description:
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On the road, the hero may meet a powerful female figure with whom he find unity and bonding of some kind.
The goddess may be a mystical or supernatural being or she may be an ordinary woman with whom the hero gains support and synergy.
Discussion:
The goddess represents the female side of the hero (his anima) which, if he can join, will make him whole. Joining with the goddess may indicate unconditional and perfect love.
In combination, the hero and their other half form the syzygy of the 'divine couple' or the sacred marriage of a joining of souls and hence the hero gains greater power.
In mythological history, one of the earliest representations is in the Greek story of the earth mother Rhea, who saves the baby Zeus from his Titan father, Kronos. The earth mother also appears across many cultures and represents the living embodiment of the planet.
The mother figure symbolizes creation, birth and nurture and in Christian religion, Mary has special a position.
When the hero is female, then this may be a reversal, with her meeting a God who represents her animus.
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Woman as Temptress
Description:
Along the way, the hero may meet temptation, often in female form.
This offers the hero short-term relief or gratification but giving in to this urge would cause the mission to fail and prove the hero unworthy.
Discussion: The purpose of the temptress is to test (and hence demonstrate) the integrity of the hero by placing easy gratification or other gain in their path. By refusing this, the hero demonstrates himself to be true to heroic values and dedicated above all else to achievement of the primary goal.
In contrast with the perfect love of the goddess, meeting the temptress represents material and carnal love that, whilst providing short-term pleasure has no longer-term value.
Where the journey has a spiritual nature, the temptress may represent material things or the physical flesh of the hero and associated passions.
The temptation may be deliberate and perhaps sent by the villain. It may also happen by chance. The Goddess may also play a role of temptation.
Temptation can have uncertain outcome, perhaps even helping the hero, such as when the goddess has some tempting element. This may be used to further test the hero's ability to make difficult judgements.
Mythology is full of temptresses, from goddesses who seduce humans to nymphs and sirens. Gods also are sometimes beguiled by human women.
In the broader sense, the temptress represents temptation of any kind or distraction away from the hero's main task.
In the Christian religion, Eve represents temptation. Mary Magdalene is also portrayed this way, although she repented and can represent the recognition of woman by woman of their power to tempt.
Men are easily tempted by women, but it is less archetypal the other way around. Female heroes may or may not meet with male tempters -- the real concern is with temptation rather than gender.
Changingminds.org. (n.d.). Campbell's 'Hero's Journey' Monomyth. [online] Available at: http://changingminds.org/disciplines/storytelling/plots/hero_journey/hero_journey.htm [Accessed 17 Nov. 2016]. |
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