The Heroic Journey of Aladdin: the Diamond in the Rough

The same hero wearing a different masquerade appears throughout great literature and films. The heros go motif, as Joseph Campbell, the acclaimed Ameri faeces mythology professor and famous author identified, has been present in on the whole cultures since the runner documented stories. From Odysseus and the other great figures of the ancient Greek myths to the more(prenominal) modern character of Frodo in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the audience funda rationally accompanies the same hero throughout a series of stages and obstacles that compose the sure heroic journey.The heros journey can be curiously followed in the various animated Disney films that give existence to some of the closely loved heroes of all time. For instance, the successful film, Aladdin, released in 1992 and directed by Ron Clements and nates Musker, brings to the public the interesting journey of a unexampled man on a quest to find himself. The character of Aladdin fits the profile of the hero as he embarks in the heros journey unintentionally entirely proves to have undergone a complete maturation of character while attaining priceless insight about his authoritative nature and outlay by the goal of the game.The film Aladdin narrates the emotive love story of a poor boyish man who falls in love with the beautiful princess Jasmine and begins a purposeful journey to conquer her love. Aladdin, a street rat, as he is very much called by those who know him, is a true diamond in the rough, whose worth lies far within that has great potential but has non been prone the opportunity to shine yet (Clements, Musker). Because of this reason, he is the sole(prenominal) one who can enter the Cave of Wonders.He does so to retrieve a magic lamp for Jafar, the grand Turks black vizier. This event initiates the departure of the heros journey as Aladdins encounter with Jafar disguised as an old prisoner signifies the call to adventure. Even though Aladdin is non aware that this is the beginning of his journey, from this lay on everything will change. The young man becomes trapped inside the core out with his inseparable pet monkey, Abu, where they encounter one of two supernatural attendings, a magical carpet that becomes their close friend.Inside the cave they alike find the lamp and its prosperous magical inhabitant, the Genie, the most important supernatural aid, who also becomes Aladdins substantive guide. The moment Aladdin makes the prototypical coveting out of the three the Genie grants him he crosses the first threshold. Simultaneously, he enters the belly of the whale since from this point on Aladdin abandons the life of poverty and crime, which he is accustomed to for a life of wealth and royalty. This begins his adventure into new territory as playing prince becomes more complex than expected.At first Aladdin embarks in the heroic journeys initiation merely for the somatic rewards and the opportunity to abandon his difficult life in the streets of Agrabah, but along the way he learns to appreciate his true self and comes to fit Campbells prototype of the hero. Aladdins objective for going on the journey is to kick upstairs the heart of Jasmine, who he has deeply fallen in love with since their first encounter at the marketplace or the meeting with the goddess. The love Aladdin and Jasmine dowery motivates him to begin and continue on the journey in hopes of marrying her.Once Aladdin has already initiated the journey, the evil Jafar becomes the woman as temptress in his life. Jafar continues to place obstacles in Aladdins path physically by first trying to kill him in the Cave of Wonders, then by attempting to drown him in order to split him from courting Jasmine as Prince Ali, and finally attempting to murder him as a freak cobra. Most importantly, Jafar psychologically tempts Aladdin to give up several times and interferes with his mental quest by recurrently making degrading comments that obstruct Aladdins ab ility to recognize his strength and value.The initiation phase in Aladdin continues with the placation with the father. In this step, Aladdin has an argument with the Genie, who has become a mentor, much like a father figure. The Genie criticizes Aladdins change in character. He feels that Aladdins transformation into Prince Ali has altered his personality. Aladdin has become arrogant and selfish. This argument results in Aladdins realization and reawakening of his true self as he recognizes he mustiness stay true to his convictions. This epiphany allows Aladdins true self to focus on the ultimate boon, which is marrying Princess Jasmine, what he originally begins his journey for.Aladdin concludes his journey with the bring back, which success generousy brings him to the liberty to live. Aladdin experiences the refusal of the return earlier in the story when he lets his insecurity quash him. After he has had the chance to experience life as Prince Ali, Aladdin says, the end th ing I want to be now, is be myself (Clements, Musker). He refuses to return to his normal life where the Genie cannot wish all his troubles away. The Genie is also an important part of the rescue form without stage in Aladdins journey. At this point Aladdins vulnerability as well as the Genies appreciation for him are evident.Aladdin is captured by Jafar and thrown in to the bottom of the river with a rock tied to his feet. Without the Genies aid this would have been the end of the heros journey. Most importantly briefly after this incident the Genie rescues Aladdin from himself and his selfishness when he makes him realize that he is single concerned about his own well being. Finally, Aladdins quest ends with his advance of the freedom to live. By this point the young hero has learned to coincide himself and is willing to renounce to his own happiness for the joy of others.The protagonist of Aladdin experiences the many another(prenominal) stages of the heros journey in order to realize his true potential as well as come full merry-go-round in terms of character. In the beginning of the film, the viewer meets Aladdin and can direct recognize his innate good nature. Early on in the movie, Aladdins generosity and compassion become evident when he gives up his only meal of the day to two poor children he finds rummaging though the refuse for something to eat. Not late after this, he saves the same two children from Prince Achmeds whip.At this point, Aladdin does not realize his worth and this is why he must fasten on off on a series of adventures beyond the ordinary to break up some life giving elixir (Campbell 127). The life giving elixir, as Campbell puts it in The Power of Myth, is Aladdins realization of his self worth, which becomes essential for his happiness. The journey tests Aladdins physical abilities numerous times, but it is from the psychological trials that Aladdin gains the most insight. Aladdins experiences along the journey affect his good character but lastly lead him to the ultimate level of maturity.Before going on the quest Aladdin does not know himself, and thus, he is that mystery which he is seeking to know (Campbell 15). However, Aladdin is not successful in staying true to his nature along the journey. Aladdin becomes caught up in the life of luxury and comfort that the Genie grants him. He begins to live in a lie and adopt an arrogant and selfish attitude. Aladdin had promised the Genie earlier that he would utilize his third wish to free him from his life as the lamps slave, however he becomes unable to stay true to that romise because of his selfishness and insecurity. He is afraid to be himself and feels he needs the Genie to maintain the magic trick life he has created. This is why the heros journey last represents the pattern of life, growth, and experience (Harris) for Aladdin. The journey serves as a revelation for evaluate ones self and renouncing to ones own merriment for the interest of ot hers. As Aladdin follows the steps in Campbells heros journey, he ends the adventure by reaching the ultimate realization.The tale comes full circle as the journey polishes the diamond in the rough that embarked on the journey to produce a man who is aware of his potential and utilizes it for the proceeds of others. At the end of the story, Aladdins complete maturation of character becomes infallible as he gives up his happiness by renouncing his third wish to marry Jasmine for the Genies freedom. Of course, Disney could not end the adventure with the young mans disillusionment, the Sultan changes the law, and Aladdin is able to marry the Princess because of his merit.