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Governors State University

Superman's Ancestors - Beowulf, Odysseus and Roy Hobbs: Application and Analysis of Joseph Campbell's Monomyth Theory

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>Heroes have been with us since the beginning of time with some becoming more well known than others. Each and every culture seems to have their own type of hero that embodies their ideals, values and beliefs. It is this truth that Joseph Campbell, author of the 1949 book <em>The Hero with a Thousand Faces</em>, uses as a foundation to discuss his take on why heroes have had and will always have a place within the human fabric regardless of geographical location, religious affiliation or cultural idiosyncrasies. This thesis will apply Campbell’s monomyth theory to literary classics such as <em>Beowulf</em>, Homer’s <em>The Odyssey</em> and Malamud’s <em>The Natural</em>. These diverse pieces will test Campbell’s theory and will reveal if the Hero’s Journey can withstand the test of not only time but space as well. </p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Arts
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
English
Year dc:date.available
2011

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Kealy, Michael
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Christopher T. White, Ph.D.
  • Terri Pantuso, Ed.D.
  • Rosemary Johnsen, Ph.D.

Subjects

dc:subject × 1

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://opus.govst.edu/theses/16
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:opus.govst.edu:theses-1014

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Governors State University
Base URL
opus.govst.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Kealy, Michael. Superman's Ancestors - Beowulf, Odysseus and Roy Hobbs: Application and Analysis of Joseph Campbell's Monomyth Theory. Thesis thesis, 2011. https://opus.govst.edu/theses/16