Joseph Campbell's Influence on Star Wars Mythology

Joseph Campbell reveals that Star Wars embodies timeless mythological themes, resonating deeply with modern audiences.

### Joseph Campbell on Star Wars and the Power of Myth
* 🌌 Bill Moyers discusses with Joseph Campbell how Star Wars fulfills the need for **spiritual adventure and heroism** in modern storytelling.
* 🧙 Campbell praises George Lucas for using **standard mythological figures**, such as the **wise old man as the adviser**, in the film.
* ⚔ The Japanese swordmaster archetype is specifically mentioned by Campbell in relation to **Obi-Wan Kenobi's character**.
* 🪓 Campbell highlights the psychological dimension of the mentor figure, who not only provides **physical tools** but also **psychological guidance**.
* 🎭 The scene where Obi-Wan tells Luke to "**let go**" and trust his instincts is described as "**real Japanese stuff**" by Campbell.
* 👨 Campbell notes how both his sons and the audience reacted with "**elation and applause**" during this climactic moment in the film.
* 🗣 Campbell emphasizes how Star Wars communicates in a language that resonates with young people today, praising its ability to convey **mythological themes in a contemporary context**.

I'm Bill Moyers. And I want to share with you a moment from our series on Joseph Campbell and The Power of Myth. Campbell knew more about the world of mythology — the great stories human beings have told ourselves since the dawn of history — than anyone of his generation. Does a movie like Star Wars fill some of that need for the spiritual adventure, for the hero? Oh, perfect, it does the cycle perfectly. It's not a simple morality play. It has to do with the powers of life and their inflection through the action of man. One of the wonderful things, I think, about this adventure into space, is that the narrator, the artist, the one thinking up the story, is in a field that is not covered by our own knowledge. Do you, when you look at something like Star Wars, recognize some of the themes of the hero throughout mythology? Well, I think that George Lucas was using standard mythological figures. The old man as the adviser,

Well, specifically what he made me think of is the Japanese swordmaster. Remember, a Jedi can feel the force flowing through him. I've known some of those people, and this man has a bill of their character. Well, there's something mythological, too, isn't there, in the sense that the hero is helped by this stranger who shows up and gives him some instrument, a sword or a sheaf of light, shaft of light? Yes, but he gives him not only a physical instrument, but a psychological commitment and a psychological center. This time, let go of your conscious self and act on instinct. When he had him exercising with that strange weapon, and then pulled the mask over, that's real Japanese stuff. I'll take them myself. When I took our two sons to see it, they did the same thing the audience did; at that moment when the voice of Ben Kenobi says to Luke Skywalker in the climactic moment... Use the force, Luke.

Let go, Luke. The audience broke out into elation and into applause. Well, you see, this thing communicates. It is in a language that is talking to young people today. And that's marvelous.

Joseph Campbell and the Mythology of Star Wars

Moyers & Company

Joseph Campbell, a leading expert on mythology, highlights the spiritual adventure and hero's journey in stories like Star Wars.

The film uses standard mythological figures, such as the old man as the adviser and the hero's stranger, to convey its themes.

Campbell emphasizes the psychological commitment and instinctual action that the mentor figure provides to the hero, ultimately leading to the climactic moment of "Use the force, Luke.

The Impact of Communication in Today's Youth

The audience reacted with joy and applause, highlighting the effective communication of the message.

The message resonates with young people today, making it powerful and relevant.

The ability to connect with the youth is seen as a marvelous achievement.