Mythical and Cultural Archetypes in J.R.R. Tolkien

Bc. Miluše Jedlinská

Master's thesis

Abstract:

It has been perceived that there are certain similarities between Tolkien’s fiction and various mythical stories. For most critics the logical explanation is 1) either that Tolkien consciously used mythical elements as he was very well acquainted with them, 2) or that he used these elements unconsciously. This thesis suggests that there is another explanation: the similarities between Tolkien’s stories and mythology are caused by mythical and cultural archetypes. The first part deals with the numerous approaches to archetypes and provides a brief history of archetypal criticism in literature. There are also reasons stated why it is better to choose this kind of approach for the analysis of Tolkien’s work over other types of approaches. The second part deals with Joseph Campbell’s theory of monomyth and its relation to The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, with occasional digressions to Jungian psychology and archetypal criticism, as presented by Northrop Frye. The main focus is on tracing the archetypal structure in the paths of the following of Tolkien's heroes: Beren and Lúthien, Eärendil, Frodo, Gandalf, Aragorn and Bilbo.

Abstract:

It has been perceived that there are certain similarities between Tolkien’s fiction and various mythical stories. For most critics the logical explanation is 1) either that Tolkien consciously used mythical elements as he was very well acquainted with them, 2) or that he used these elements unconsciously. This thesis suggests that there is another explanation: the similarities between Tolkien’s stories and mythology are caused by mythical and cultural archetypes. The first part deals with the numerous approaches to archetypes and provides a brief history of archetypal criticism in literature. There are also reasons stated why it is better to choose this kind of approach for the analysis of Tolkien’s work over other types of approaches. The second part deals with Joseph Campbell’s theory of monomyth and its relation to The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, with occasional digressions to Jungian psychology and archetypal criticism, as presented by Northrop Frye. The main focus is on tracing the archetypal structure in the paths of the following of Tolkien's heroes: Beren and Lúthien, Eärendil, Frodo, Gandalf, Aragorn and Bilbo.

Keywords

J.R.R. Tolkien, archetypes, Joseph Campbell, C.G. Jung, Northrop Frye, archetypal criticism, Silmarillion, The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, hero's journey, individuation, mythology, monomyth

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 21. 4. 2011

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 15. 6. 2011
• Supervisor: doc. Michael Matthew Kaylor, PhD.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Arts

Master programme / field:
Philology / English Language and Literature