Hi Prof. Jorge,
Pls. find below my Reflection on John Campbell's "The Hero with a Thousand Faces."
"MERLIN" – MOVIE REVIEW IN RELATION TO JOHN CAMPBELL'S "THE HERO WITH A THOUSAND FACES"
I have always been fascinated by fictional movies showcasing magics and sorceries. I am particularly captivated by the possibility of supernatural powers and how people would handle and employ them in the ordinary world with ordinary people. Thus my all-time favorite movie and TV miniseries is "Merlin".
MOVIE SUMMARY
The movie "Merlin" portraits the legend of King Arthur, from the perspective of the King's Wizard, Merlin.During the Anglo-Saxon invasion of Britain, the spread of Christianity has weakened the power of Queen Mab, goddess of the fey (fairies). Coupled with the destruction of both Christian and pagan holy sites due to the turmoil, Mab's world of magic faces imminent extinction. While her sister, the Lady of the Lake, accepts the inevitable, Mab vows to resist. She decides to create a wizard named Merlin, that she believes will bring people back to the "Old Ways" and save her and the kingdom. In the turn of events, Merlin rejected her teachings setting up a war between them which leads to her attack on Arthur. Merline faced many challenges but did not stop, even sacrificing the chance for a good life with his love one, Nimue, until he won over Queen Mab.
1) THE HERO IS INTRODUCED IN HIS ORDINARY WORLD
"Merlin was born to Elissa who dies shortly after giving birth to Merlin, leaving the child to be raised by Ambrosia, an old woman who used to be a pagan. Merlin grew as a normal boy with no knowledge of his true heritage."
In our childhood days, we all live our lives like any other kid, not having knowledge and with little concern of what we are fully capable of based on our genetics or economic and social footings as we are when we grow older.
I was an ordinary kid, living an ordinary life in a rural town. Like Merlin, we were raised by aged people, by our grandparents, as both our parents were working abroad. We live in a barrio approximately three (3) kilometers away from the town proper. Life seems simple. We walk to and from school daily. Financially, we were adequately provided though could not afford some luxuries like buying new clothes if there is no special or intended occasion.
2) THE CALL TO ADVENTURE
"The Lady of the Lake, who reveals that Queen Mab let Merlin's birth mother die, and that Ambrosia is seriously ill, causing Merlin to leave Mab's training place. Merlin returns home in time to see the end of an argument between Mab and Ambrosia. Mab, furious at Ambrosia's refusal to convince Merlin to return to her, lashes out with her magic, severely injuring Ambrosia. She is unable to survive, and in her last breath, she begs Merlin swear to only listen to his heart. On Ambrosia's grave, he makes a blood-oath that he will never use magic except to defeat Mab."
If I were to decide, I would have wanted to grow living with my parents. To me their decision to work abroad, away from us is never a worth sacrifice, losing the opportunities to have bonded while we're growing up. Thus, I vowed to never have that set-up with my child. To ensure that, I have to acquire proper education to be able to find suitable and secure job in our country – which my parents lack forcing them to find work opportunities abroad. Thus after finishing high school, I decided to move to Metro Manila to get the best education that I can.
Another call to adventure was when my career was in plateau and had to decide to relocate to work abroad to expand my horizon and be expose to the global arena.
3) THE HERO IS RELUCTANT AT FIRST
"The soothsayer had earlier asked Queen Mab for help in solving Vortigern's request, and she suggested finding a man with no mortal father, thus leading him to Merlin. Vortigern spares Merlin, but throws him into a dungeon. Nimue recognizes Merlin and persuades Vortigern to release him. Merlin and Nimue grow close, but Mab, determined to make Merlin break his oath, plots against their union and has Nimue sacrificed to a dragon, with Merlin watching. Merlin ends up using magic, breaking his oath, to tie down the dragon. Nimue is sent to Avalon to recover, and Merlin leaves to defeat Vortigern and Queen Mab."
In my quest to become better, I recognize that there are certain things that I need to undertake. To move ahead, I have to leave the limits of my comfort zone and venture out. It took a lot of time for me to decide to then leave my current job and search job in a world unknown. Looking back it was the best decision I have made as it not only significantly improve my professional knowledge and exposure but out of dealing with different people with different culture, I have been molded to become adaptive and learn much things from different perspectives.
4) THE HERO IS ENCOURAGED BY THE WISE OLD MAN OR WOMAN
In the movie, Merlin usually confides with the Lady of the Lake for guidance. When Merlin unwittingly leads to Camelot's destruction when he selects Lancelot to protect Guinevere based on mistaken information he gains from The Lady In The Lake, I think the best part of their conversation was when the Lady said "Heroes commit mistakes sometimes and Merlin should learn to forgive himself".
There are two mentors with opposing personalities, I consider. First, my then boss in Singapore. He is brutally frank, forward-looking and wise. He taught me to be strong-willed, certain in what I say and do and to always look ahead. He encourages me to plan ahead for myself and family and to always aspire for something bigger. He has made the greatest influence in my pursuit to become the best that I can. In contrast, my current boss who I regard as equally important mentor keeps me on the ground, reminding to take my time and value relationship with others.
5) THE HERO PASSES THE FIRST THRESHOLD
"Merlin helps Uther win his war against Vortigern's army, by informing him of Vortigern's unprecedented winter attack, and leading Uther's forces to confront him on a frozen river. Merlin himself kills Vortigern with the aid of the magical sword Excalibur, given to him as a gift by the Lady of the Lake."
When I was searching for a job, I had too much time with nothing to do. I could hardly get invites even for initial interview as the companies would normally require applicants with prior Gulf/UAE experience. From someone with outstanding scholastic records and six-year working experience, I felt disparaged and down to the extent that I applied for domestic help openings. It was a long 4-moth period, before I finally got to a final interview and get selected. I could vividly remember how I grateful I am and thanked my employer for selecting me for the job.
6) THE HERO ENCOUNTERS TESTS AND HELPERS.
"He believes that Uther will be a decent king and gives Excalibur to him. However, Uther soon becomes obsessed with Igraine (Rachel De Thame), the wife of Gorlois, Lord of Cornwall. Merlin, worried about Uther misusing Excalibur, tricks Uther out of the sword and places it within a living mountain, the Rock of Ages (James Earl Jones), who promises to keep it until a true king arrives, a man with a good heart."
Throughout the ordeal of travelling from a democratic and liberal country to a strict, unaffectionate, muslim country (this is a place where hierarchy of three classes of citizens/residents are evidently distinguished and respected: first the Emiratis, second, the westerners and third, all other nationalities) to filling my financial gaps, my sister (younger) was there for my aid. If I account the instruments to my huge transition in my career, family and personal life, my sister played a significant role.
7) THE HERO REACHES THE INNERMOST CAVE
After Merlin leaves Uther without Excalibur, he returns later to see madness and lust have clouded his mind, and soon after, the rest of Britain falls back into civil war. To stop the insanity, Merlin strikes a deal with Uther: He will help Uther bed Igraine, in exchange for guardianship of the child born from the union, and for the Duke and his men to be spared. Once this is agreed, Merlin uses magic to transform Uther's appearance into that of Gorlois. While Uther's forces lead Cornwall and his men away, Uther enters the castle and has sex with Igraine. Igraine's disfigured daughter, Morgan le Fay (Alice Hamilton), is the only one who sees through Uther's disguise.
I have entered the United Arab Emirates using a tourist visa. As such, I had to go out of the country and re-enter using an employment visa. The most common practice then was to exit to Kish Island, Iran due to its proximity to UAE compared to Philippines (making it more economical). Fellow Filipinos and friends forewarned me and shared horror stories about the island. With stories about drugs, rape, theft, loneliness and incidents of suicide, I felt like I was travelling to a place near hell. The hotel where I stayed for the first night was indeed dreadful. The sheets looked like it has been used for many years, the lights so dim and the people I share the room with (no single occupancy) looked hopeless that I could hardly sleep and entrust my belongings or my life with them. I heard some people have been waiting for their visas in that place for several weeks or months. It was an unbearable place but they stay rather than go back to Philippines with nothing. First thing in the morning, I transferred to another hotel which is more clean and livable. However, that one night experience always reminds me that somewhere someone out there is in need somebody's or anybody's help.
8) THE HERO ENDURES THE SUPREME ORDEAL
Uther betrays Merlin, going back on his word and having Cornwall and his men slaughtered. Merlin forever regrets allowing this to happen.
In the coming years after I went out of my comfort zone, I would face challenges that has greatly shaped me to what I have become. There is a sweet coating of working abroad such as the prestige of working for a global brand and the pump in one's financial capacity allowing one to afford the best (material) things in life. However, beyond it is the tremendous demand for knowledge, time and commitment to keep it. I have been dealing with managers from different countries from different timezones and this required me to work most of the time of the day leaving only sufficient time for 3 meals of the day and 4 hours sleep the most. This has been going for almost three years. It has tested my mental, physical and social flexibility.
9) THE HERO SIEZES THE SWORD
With the throne vacant, all the noblemen in the kingdom try to take Excalibur from the Rock of Ages, but none can. Mab pleads with the rock to not let Arthur have the sword, saying he will bring bloodshed like his father, and will destroy the Old Ways. Arthur replies that he doesn't know what he will be, only what he is. This wise response makes the Rock of Ages see the goodness in Arthur, and it loosens its grip, but Mab heats the sword.
Arthur persists in removing it, and with burning, blood-soaked hands, raises it for all the surrounding people to see. After Merlin introduces Arthur to the nobles, many of them refuse to heed Merlin's words to end the cycle of violence. They storm off to fight for the throne, with armies now mobilized. Arthur avoids a battle against King Lot by daring the latter to use Excalibur to kill him. Arthur is crowned King and institutes the Round Table.
From my day-to-day battle with insistent the demands of work, family and personal life, I can say I have successfully delivered and balance the expectations from me. Earning the trust of my supervisor to critical tasks were proof that I have come to fulfill his high expectations.
10) THE ROAD BACK
Merlin, having heard the screams of battle and knowing Arthur is dying, leaves Nimue to go to his aid. However, once he leaves their haven, it seals behind him. Knowing he has lost her forever, Merlin races to Arthur's side, and to seek retribution against Mab.
I would consider my settlement back in the Philippines as my "road back". I have been through many challenges that this paper has only captured to a certain extent. After the battles in the world arena, I have settled back to my home where I find peace and serenity.
11) RESURRECTION
Furious, Merlin returns to Camelot with the intention of confronting Mab, where he finds her sitting at the Round Table. With nothing more to lose, the pair engage in a magical duel that destroys the Round Table. Unable to vanquish Merlin, Mab mocks him and tells him that he and his human followers can't destroy her, but Merlin knows that there are only a few people that believe in the Old Ways. He turns his back on her, telling her that everyone will forget her, and in forgetting, she will no longer exist. Everyone leaves, ignoring Mab's furious calls, and she fades away.
But after a long three-year period, I have come back better than ever that no challenge, work or problem could be any harder than what I have been through. I could have save setbacks, heartbreaks if I stayed and never gone out of the country, but I would not trade the experiences and learnings I gained from my ventures and would not changed or regret any of the decisions made.
12) RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR
An aged Merlin is telling his story for money. After finishing the story, he discovers an aged Frik sitting in the crowd. Frik claims that Merlin's version of the story isn't how it entirely transpired, while Merlin replies that it is the version he believes people will prefer. After Merlin finds his aged magic horse, Frik reveals it will lead him to Nimue. When Merlin asks how, Frik says that some time after Mab had disappeared, her spells also lost power, setting Nimue free. After Merlin and Frik part ways, Merlin finally finds Nimue at Ambrosia's old forest home. Both lovers are now old, but Merlin uses the last of his magic to restore their youth. Merlin and Nimue then walk into the house and restart their lives together.
After employing the learnings I have gained from all the experiences, I have climbed the corporate ladder in my chosen company, career. Indeed, I have attained my targeted level at this point. However, life is evolving and no one's indispensable. And so I am looking forward to take on other new challenges, achieve new targets and transform into the better and the best of me. For now, I know the road is long and the opportunities are endless.
No comments:
Post a Comment