A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself

A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself

Joseph Campbell, a renowned American mythologist, writer, and lecturer, is best known for his work in comparative mythology and religion. He is perhaps most famous for his concept of the hero's journey, which he outlined in his book "The Hero with a Thousand Faces." In this book, Campbell explores the common elements found in myths and stories from cultures around the world, and he argues that these stories all follow a similar pattern of the hero leaving their ordinary world, facing challenges and trials, and ultimately returning home transformed.

One of the key ideas that Campbell explores in his work is the idea that a hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. This idea is central to the hero's journey, as the hero is often called to leave behind their ordinary life and embark on a quest or adventure that will ultimately benefit their community or society as a whole. In this sense, the hero is not motivated by personal gain or glory, but by a sense of duty or responsibility to something greater than themselves.

Campbell believed that the hero's journey is a universal story that resonates with people from all cultures and backgrounds because it speaks to a fundamental truth about the human experience. We are all called to face challenges and obstacles in our lives, and we all have the potential to rise to the occasion and become heroes in our own right. By giving our lives to something bigger than ourselves, whether it be a cause, a community, or a higher power, we can find meaning and purpose in our lives and make a positive impact on the world around us.