According to our text, The Art of Being Human, the universality of myth shows that human beings share common needs, regardless of geography and level of cultural sophistication, and thus certain elements found in all myths must play their part in helping people cope with the conditions in which they find themselves. We see this not only in Lord of the Rings but in other modern myths such as Star Wars and Shrek. These myths do more than simply delight and entertain. They reveal the hopes, the fears and the wisdom of the human race. Indeed, these modern myths, these fantasies, are complete worlds, very much like ours. Their aim is to reveal something important about the human condition.
The Lord of the Rings – The Fellowship of the Ring provides many "clues to the spiritual potentialities of the human life." It deals with bitter conflicts such as war, battles for power and the corruption that comes with such battles. In The Lord of the Rings – The Fellowship of the Ring these conflicts take place in Middle Earth.
Please discuss the similarities between Middle Earth and our world today as you consider the following universal themes presented in the film:
The Nature of Good vs. Evil (and the origins of evil)
Loss of Innocence
Fate/Destiny
Honor, Loyalty, Friendship
Sacrifice
Seductiveness/Temptation of Power
Guru/Disciple Relationship (teacher/student)
Please post an initial response of 500 words.
