Star Wars and The Hero's Journey

[@OffScreen]

Be sure to check out the follow-up video on The Empire Strikes Back here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6umZIysqcqdg7s

[@LoganSewell83]

You spoiled us. We need an analysis on Return of the Jedi.

[@OffScreen]

@@LoganSewell83 There is something planned for the future... however it may be some time out. I am currently focused on broadening Off Screen's range of essay topics.

[@JohnnyHoux]

Wow, recognizing the Han-as-shadow motif is a brilliant insight! Never heard that angle before

[@OffScreen]

Thank you! I had not seen it examined before. Of course I only propose it as one possible interpretation.

[@someguy5977]

You have to wonder if George Lucas might have seen this and thought, "Hey, I didn't realize I did that. But that's pretty deep." :P

[@OffScreen]

I would honestly be thrilled by any indication that Lucas - or anyone involved in Star Wars - has seen this video.

[@OffScreen]

After a long delay, the follow-up to this video has finally been posted. Hope you enjoy: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6umZIysqcqdg7s

[@someguy5977]

@@OffScreen Thank you, I've been waiting for more.

[@julianecartaino815]

This is probably one of the most succinct and comprehensive narrative explanations of the mythological paradigm, Joseph Campbell’s iconic analysis of same, and George Lucas’ writing process/Star Wars plot points breakdown all at once. Amazingly informative.

[@chrispatmatbuilds]

This is honestly one of my favorite videos on youtube.

[@MineralGPK]

This guy should have way more subscribers.

[@nicohaab9967]

Wonderfull interpretation. I would like to add that the women of the tempress motif really happens at the moment they follow the anima personality into the belly of the beast (chaos) which makes the Hero question the goodness of the anima. The moral realisation is that the anima has a negative side. With that, you kill the mother side (Eros). Hope this helps.

[@davidmclean3946]

thank you , Star wars lead me to Joseph Campbell's work and his book changed my life. It is such deep and a profound study of myth , dream and the journey through existence from the point of view of our ancestors and passed down to us through the medium of storytelling. It deserves more attention.

[@OffScreen]

I wholeheartedly agree. While this video touched the surface of Campbell's philosophy, I will be going more in-depth in future videos. :)

[@OffScreen]

The follow-up to this video has finally been posted. Hope you enjoy: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6umZIysqcqdg7s

[@davidmclean3946]

@@OffScreen Thanks. watching it now

[@l3vyy95]

Star wars was the first great hero’s journey in media and has influenced so many movies and shows ever since

[@ChristinaHills]

This is the best explanation of the Hero’s journey

[@OliverJHughes]

This was incredible - I'm so impressed by not only your ability to distill and apply Joseph Campbell to Star Wars, but to even take it further and then capitulate it so clearly in voiceover/video form. So well done. I'm your loyal follower now.

[@OffScreen]

Thank you so much, man! I appreciate you taking the time to check out my work. Much more to come in the future! :)

[@goran.rukljac]

This is what every Star Wars fan craves unconsciously in his life. Our civilization has lost touch with the Primordial Nature of Life. This is in the realm of "those things that people should not talk about." ;) Amazing video, I love coming back once in a while.

[@OffScreen]

Hey Goran! Thought you might like to know that the follow-up to this video has been posted: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6umZIysqcqdg7s

[@goran.rukljac]

@@OffScreen yes I have been notified 😃 cannot wait to see it.

[@allenbro9900]

holy shit this was insane how do you not have more subs

[@tobluetoblack]

Where the fuck has this been? This is one of the best breakdowns of the Heroes Journey I have ever seen. This is the definitive way to break it down. Perfect video.

[@nicksarap7826]

Absolutely beautiful! Thank you for working so hard and sharing it with the rest of us pilgrims.

[@natalieps2387]

Very interesting Lucas must have been very smart to pick up this book and base his ideas on it

[@PAPDOG1973]

BRILLIANTLY DONE

[@JamesTateWilson]

Keep making videos man, this is great!

[@pasoslargos9329]

Great video, man! You’re very knowledgeable on this subject and your intellect really shows through in this video.

[@CM-hp5nk]

You REALLY deserve more subs. I love this so much.

[@artprincess3996]

WOW!!! THis is the best analysis for Star Wars. I've got a lot of good insights from this video.

[@MrMikesena]

Awesome video and explanation of the Hero's Journey. I will defiantly read Joe Campbell's book!!!

[@VladikVP]

By far the best characterisation of A New Hope as the monomyth. Kudos to you sir. You should definitely make analyses for all the other episodes as well.

[@OffScreen]

Thank you! My next video will examine The Empire Strikes Back. Although I think it will go in an interesting direction as it builds on Campbell's ideas. If you haven't checked out my latest video - The Hero's Journey of Miles Morales - I definitely recommend it, as it builds on the ideas from this video. :)

[@OffScreen]

The follow-up to this video has finally been posted. Hope you enjoy: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6umZIysqcqdg7s

[@JakeRichardsong]

This explanation is clearer than many of the others.

[@normdeplume6315]

you absolutely nailed it my man. keep up the good work!

[@mikedireen1366]

Awesome analysis! Will definitely be checking out your other videos :).

[@jaidixit7907]

An admirably insightful and effective analysis that appreciates the deeply felt resonance of Campbell's Hero's Journey as expressed in the original Star Wars with an appropriate attention to specifics and details that others' appraisals typically and unimaginatively (and often incorrectly) treat pro forma.

[@aryehneiger9098]

Just used the for an English essay it was very helpful thank you

[@joshhavlovic]

Love this. I’m learning the journey in Honors World Lit. Class as a Sophmore rn.

[@OffScreen]

So glad I could be a part of your education. Hope you found this to be enlightening and entertaining. :)

[@waynereacts5553]

Absolutely brilliant. Thank you, and well done.

[@G1pp4l]

Very nice. It will be cool to watch the follow-up as well!

[@OffScreen]

After a long wait, the follow-up is now online: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6umZIysqcqdg7s

[@stellarmonk]

One of the greatest interpretations I have ever seen!

[@BunnyGirlMet]

Why does this have no comments? This is a good video! Thanks for your help!

[@OffScreen]

Thank you for watching! Off Screen is a fairly new channel - you can help by sharing with anyone who might like it! More videos on the way.

[@mreszotnik]

Damnation. I thought I had this movie all figured out. It has never occurred to me that Han is Luke's shadow-self. It makes so much more sense now. Respect. And subscription. :)

[@AkiraBeard]

well done! thank you for creating this

[@goran.rukljac]

I was thinking about this video... "Unfortunately no one can be "told" what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself."

[@OffScreen]

Of all the modern Hero's Journeys in film, The Matrix is perhaps the most 'on the nose'. It will definitely be appearing in future videos. :)

[@goran.rukljac]

@@OffScreen Have you ever read, any of the following books: Scott Peck -Road less travelled Eckhart Tolle - Power of Now; A new Earth Michael Brown - Presence Process Someone who is this knowledgeable about this must have some kind of understanding of psychotherapy and emotional and spiritual growth.

[@OffScreen]

@Goran Rukljač I have not read those books, though I've crossed paths with some of them. Always open to suggestions!

[@LoganSewell83]

The entirety of "The Empire Strikes Back" consists of Luke falling deeper into the belly of the beast. He loses in every situation but is shown to have grown up in "Return of the Jedi."

[@OffScreen]

I'm sure you'll be interested in my follow-up video on Star Wars and Joseph Campbell. Stay tuned. ;)

[@OffScreen]

The follow-up to this video has finally been posted. Hope you enjoy: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6umZIysqcqdg7s

[@creightonjewkes9124]

Loved your star wars analyses! Hoping you will do one for Return of the Jedi as well!

[@MondegoPress]

Please do the Hero's Journey from New Hope, to Empire, to Jedi.

[@nickkraw1]

Fantastic content thank you so much may God bless you for and in your work!

[@spider-rick]

Plz continue these 👌

[@JonathanTrinityMartin]

Great interpretation of the Hero's Journey!

[@stephanmontez]

Great stuff

[@okaybrandon8021]

Thank you, man!

[@daviddecouto4791]

Awesome video. More!!!

[@BlazerK1914]

Thank you for making this video. Watching this makes me want to create my own stories if my imagination was done well.

[@OffScreen]

Thrilled to hear it provided some inspiration for you! The advice I've followed with my own creativity is just to combine what you like into something new. George Lucas combined old Flash Gordon sci-fi serials, Samurai movies, and classic mythology (with a healthy dose of WWII combat footage) to create what we know as Star Wars. Follow your inspirations, synthesize them, and you'll be amazed what you create!

[@BlazerK1914]

@Off Screen Thank You😊

[@BlazerK1914]

@Off Screen Thanks for the new video.

[@joegamer6914]

great video

[@jordanmallory-skinner2537]

this is excellent, thank you

[@govanentertainment1777]

That explains how Star Wars is really great.

[@twistedkarma9574]

question can the mentor also be the shadow? And vice versa?

[@OffScreen]

Absolutely! Typically the Shadow is a character who teaches by reflecting the protagonist's negative traits, but if they're teaching - regardless of how they're teaching - they're a mentor. In my analysis of Into The Spider-Verse, I talked about how Peter Parker plays the role of Miles' "Shadow Mentor," and showed how many of the archetypes in The Hero's Journey are intersectional. In Wonder Woman, Steve Trevor is Diana's "Divine Beauty," but also fills the mentor role, creating a synthesized "Divine Mentor." If you haven't checked out those videos yet, be sure to look for them on my channel page! :)

[@twistedkarma9574]

@@OffScreen I will absolutely check them out, thank you so much for your hard work and gift of all this knowledge

[@luizpalombini3425]

Liked, subscribed and shared! Keep them coming!

[@OffScreen]

Thanks for your support! More on the way. :)

[@TK422]

This is great. You should do a video on the true heroes of the saga: the stormtroopers!

[@OffScreen]

Oddly enough, I do have a stormtrooper essay planned for some point in the future...

[@TK422]

@@OffScreen and they say we troopers miss everything. Maybe we're just ahead of the curve ;)

[@ryanstephenson1418]

Great video.

[@MrAkhil3]

What is the meaning of that two suns @4:34 ?

[@OffScreen]

I believe the twin suns were a direct nod to one of Lucas's prime sources of inspiration, Frank Herbert's DUNE. The book's setting is the planet of Arrakis - the quintessential desert planet - overshadowed by twin moons. Lucas just flipped the script to make Tatooine feel more scorched and oppressive. I will be diving deeper into the DUNE franchise in upcoming videos. If you haven't already, be sure to check out my reaction to the DUNE trailer, here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipKxpoh_ibSgkKs

[@acidicali7776]

@@OffScreen you should talk about the books instead of the movie

[@OffScreen]

@@acidicali7776 I believe you'll be really happy with the direction I've taken my next video. :)

[@acidicali7776]

@@OffScreen :D

[@yvesboutin5604]

I have a question. In the hero's journey, isn't there suppossed to be a kind of reward or graduation for the hero? Luke and his friends are still hiding/running for their life. Luke didn't get the girl either and only received a mocked title in the rebellion's army. That doesn't make sense to me!

[@OffScreen]

The Hero's Journey is less of an external journey and more a psychological transformation. The reward (the Ultimate Boon) was not just the Death Star plans, but the enlightened perspective Luke brings to the Rebellion with his understanding of The Force. The ceremony at the end is a symbolic celebration of his internal changes, even if the status quo in a material sense hasn't changed much.

[@nicolasvanpoucke.pianist]

This is great stuff

[@charlottesoliven9239]

Cool Video!

[@cheese3416]

I get emotional bc you hit on the key

[@DTRMtunes]

Thank You

[@piercetaliaferro5393]

Holy Banana Bread-- This is epic!

[@evanward3964]

I’ll be here in 2023❤

[@SafetyBriefer]

16:44 Davis?

[@megananderson8372]

The mono myth is a JUNGIAN concept NOT Freudian

[@OffScreen]

The monomyth was actually conceptualized by James Joyce and a few earlier thinkers before being formalized by Campbell. Jung's archetypes of the unconscious made their way into the Hero's Journey and as Jung was a psychoanalyst, referring to this as Freudian is still appropriate.

[@mikewazowski350]

Han shot first. I don't discount this "shadow self = Han" but Han is more of the anti-hero.

[@OffScreen]

Does one have to preclude the other?

[@dav__71]

Nice

[@fab92n15]

Great

[@sleepy_maxxz2366]

ITS OVER ANAKIN I HAVE THE MORAL HIGH GROUND

[@nestormaiz7393]

If Han is the shadow self of Luke, is Luke Han’s shadow self?

[@OffScreen]

I love this question! In A New Hope these comparisons break down the closer you look at them, as Luke is the hero of the story and everything reflects his psychological transformation. To find the character best suited to reflect one of the supporting cast, we'd have to look to the Aspects. These are lesser characters who don't fit into the clearly defined Archetypes (Hero, Mentor, Shadow) but who reflect certain themes of the story. There's obviously Chewie, an animalistic being acting mostly on instinct (fear, aggression, hunger). Greedo would also be a good fit (the name is kind of a giveaway), with Han failing to synthesize when he blasts him instead. Looking at the whole trilogy, Lando is the clear candidate. And of course the answer would be different for a film like Solo where Han is the hero. What do you think? I'm sure there's a lot of different ways to interpret it!

[@forrest6002]

💓💓💓

[@theSharedStory]

Rescue the Princess - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rourhqahrLSJb7M

[@Novacynthia]

🌟💖✨👩‍🎤💖✨

[@theresmeinteam9567]

nice video but dude can you sound ANY more monotone

[@OffScreen]

I suppose someone had to say it. Thanks for your comment, TheresMeinTeam. I acknowledge my delivery could be improved. I am making steps to do so. I grew up on a healthy diet of David Attenborough and set out to give my videos a "soothing" tone - something that I find to be sorely lacking among KZbin's oftentimes frenetic content creators - but failed to realize that sometimes what's soothing is sounding human and relatable. Please check out my latest video and let me know if you feel I'm moving in the right direction: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipKxpoh_ibSgkKs

[@ValkyrieVal3]

Who else is here because Prof Sammel sent you?

[@patrickskramstad1485]

(clears throat) I have to point out that Star Wars was not the first space opera story Nor the first Western in outer space. I would like to remind people of Star Trek.

[@OffScreen]

Star Trek was certainly enjoyed by 'mass audiences', but even when it was being released it required more suspension of disbelief and didn't quite achieve the same level of direct resonance with viewers. Star Wars let its audience feel what an epic journey into space might be like, and was widely accepted by mainstream audiences. Star Trek asked its viewers to think. I am a great admirer of Roddenberry's vision and look forward to getting some Trek content up on my channel. :)

[@mcdonald2037]

Nooo... I never seen star wars... Obi is like ... Shit .... this is a suicide mission ......i led young luke into his false. Fake mission ...fuck this im out ..... Swap...

[@StrangeHistoryX]

The narration is so robotic that I am sorry to say that I had to stop listening. I am not sure for not if it is one of those automatic programs they just “reads” the text that’s entered into it. Considering that this video is about “storytelling” it seems to me that it should have sounded like someone telling a story and not like a computer.

[@OffScreen]

I don't blame you. This was one of my earliest videos and one of my first attempts at narration work. Please check out my recent videos and let me know if you feel I've improved?

[@chrispatmatbuilds]

Fantastic video.