Case study methodology and application

Power of Myths

Myths are probably one of the most misunderstood phenomena because of their slightly absurd and almost unreal elements. While ancient myths may have lost their glory to many, they are still considered important by people like Joseph Campbell who have tried to unearth the mystery surrounding them. Campbell in his book Power of Myth has tried to highlight just that- 'power of myths'. Why are myths important, what function do they serve, what is their connection to our modern lives and reality. These are some of the questions that Campbell seeks to answer in his book, which is actually a series of dialogues with Bill Moyers.

The author has tried to explain why myths play n important role in our lives even today when apparently most of us have lost interest in ancient mythology. Campbell explains, "These bits of information from ancient times, which have to do with the themes that have supported human life, built civilizations, and informed religions over the millennia, have to do with deep inner problems, inner mysteries, inner thresholds of passage, and if you don't know what the guide-signs are along the way, you have to work it out yourself. But once this subject catches you, there is such a feeling, from one or another of these traditions, of information of a deep, rich, life-vivifying sort that you don't want to give it up." (Chapter 1, Myth and the Modern world)

Joseph Campbell is of the view that myths are intricately connected with our modern loves because they give us a sense of purpose and help us understand ourselves,. By reading about ancient heroes, vampires and vamps, we are likely to develop a better understating of what human nature is and how wild or dark it can be. Similarly they also help us unearth the positive extremes of ma's character because essentially all myths are highly exaggerated forms of reality. Due to this exaggeration, they have become myths and not simple stories. They have mostly lost their value of the element of sorcery attached with them.

To a modern reader, they are nothing but pieces of absurd information, which serves no purpose and is quite meaningless. However Campbell and some other writers have tried to instill more meaning into myths by examining them carefully and some famous playwrights have actually used these myths as plot for their plays. Campbell believes that when we read myths, we are able to get a feeling of being truly alive because mythological figures expose us to extremes of negative and positive experiences. Campbell thus writes, "People say that what we're all seeking is a meaning for life. I don't think that's what we're really seeking. I think that what we're seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane will have resonances within our own innermost being and reality, so that we actually feel the rapture of being alive." The Power of Myth, p 5

Campbell has gone so deeply into the study of myths that he has been able to come up with some truly valuable and interesting ideas. For example he believes that the reason modern man can relate to myths is because no matter how modern he becomes, he still craves the same mighty powers that ancient heroes possessed. For some reason, he cannot disassociate himself from that glorified image of man that myths project so powerfully. When a modern man reads stories of incredible power, he wants to become a part of them to find out how it feels to be like that hero. This is the primary reason why myths can still be intriguing provided we possess Campbell's insight. "The mighty hero of extraordinary powers --able to lift Mount Govardhan on a finger, and to fill himself with the terrible glory of the universe -- is each of us! " (Hero with a Thousand Faces)

But even though modern man doesn't really pay much attention t myths, he is unconsciously aware of their power and significance. For example, modern man is still in awe of important and powerful personalities, such as sport celebrities, pop stars, political bigwigs and almost everyone who is above the normal herd. A good example of modern day mythological figure is Nazi tyrant, Adolf Hitler. His life explains how mythology still plays a role in our lives and how we are still surrounded by shadows of ancient heroes. Hitler can be compared to Oedipus who rose to heights of fame and success only to later cause his own demise and collapse. Like Oedipus who arrogantly declared, "I am, myself, world-famous Oedipus," Hitler also saw himself in the same light. The reason why I believe Hitler contains some very important mythological elements is because he was one of those who had completed forgotten God and were looking for power and force within themselves. According to Campbell, this was one of the essential features of mythological characters. He writes: "There's a transcendent energy source.... That energy is the informing energy of all things. Mythic worship is addressed to that. That old man up there has been blown away. You've got to find the Force inside you. [Your life comes] from the ultimate energy that is the life of the universe." while most of us today believe in the existence and power of God, mythological figures like Oedipus and others had little t do with that One Supreme Power. They felt they had god-like powers and could do anything and thus they depended on themselves only with occasional support from gods.