Meta: Thor & The Monomyth
If there's anyone who's into meta, I've posted some thoughts on how Thor fits into the construction of the Monomyth, and how Thor and Loki each fit into the model of the hero's journey. I'd very much welcome discussion, though, if you'd like to jump in.
A quick summary for context for anyone who isn't familiar: basically, he posits that the most enduring and popular stories and myths from different periods and cultures around the world all share the same key features and structure (the 'monomyth'). Basically, the hero ventures from the mundane to the supernatural, encounters new and marvellous forces, defeats a foe, and returns empowered and gives gifts which can improve the mundane world he started in. Just as an example, and because I like it, the Hobbit follows this pattern. Bilbo leaves the mundane and insular Shire through a call to action (Gandalf), encounters monsters (orcs, wolves, spiders, Smaug), which he defeats, and returns not only literally rich, but also emotionally rich for his adventures - which is passed on literally (the Ring) and figuratively to Frodo.
What's really fascinating about Thor in this context, though, is most of Thor's adventure is sort-of backwards.
The whole thing is here.
A quick summary for context for anyone who isn't familiar: basically, he posits that the most enduring and popular stories and myths from different periods and cultures around the world all share the same key features and structure (the 'monomyth'). Basically, the hero ventures from the mundane to the supernatural, encounters new and marvellous forces, defeats a foe, and returns empowered and gives gifts which can improve the mundane world he started in. Just as an example, and because I like it, the Hobbit follows this pattern. Bilbo leaves the mundane and insular Shire through a call to action (Gandalf), encounters monsters (orcs, wolves, spiders, Smaug), which he defeats, and returns not only literally rich, but also emotionally rich for his adventures - which is passed on literally (the Ring) and figuratively to Frodo.
What's really fascinating about Thor in this context, though, is most of Thor's adventure is sort-of backwards.
The whole thing is here.