Similarities Between Saving Private Ryan And The Hero's Journey

Western culture can trace many of its origins in the ancient Roman and Greek cultures so it only makes sense that the cultural themes are present in the entertainment of both cultures. Joseph Campbell, the originator of the “Hero’s Journey” framework, points out the importance and examples of this framework in modern epics within American pop-culture. This paper will focus on a particular modern film in American entertainment, Saving Private Ryan, and how the leader of the squad, Cpt. John Miller, serves as a parallel to Campbell’s “Hero’s Journey” model while resembling certain traits of the Greek heroes themselves, specifically Jason and the Argonauts.

Joseph Campbell has three main stages in his “Hero’s Journey” model which include the departure,

Miller in Saving Private Ryan and the Hero’s Journey extends to the Greek mythology stories, particularly Jason and the Argonauts. First, both Jason and Cpt. Miller does not overcome their trials alone, rather they rely on the men in their groups to aid them in battling adversaries and accomplishing missions. Throughout the myth, Jason leads the Argonauts yet they help out in many different cases including a boxing match and fighting Harpies. Jason would not be able to achieve most of his trials without the aid of those accompanying him and this is also evident in his trials to obtain the Golden Fleece itself. He uses Medea to give him potions and protection in order to conquer a dragon, steel bulls, etc. Miller also relies on the strength of the other U.S. soldiers. Although he is a great leader that leads his troops into the dangers of war, he needs the soldiers to effectively combat the enemy and eventually save Pvt. Ryan, which is shown in the last standoff between the Americans and the Nazi forces. This teamwork between the hero and his men is shown further when Miller and his squad come across an enemy bunker that is positioned in an area in order to ambush unsuspecting Allied troops. Miller decides to take the bunker rather than go around it and they succeed in disabling the enemy weaponry. Similarly, Jason and his crew meet the king of Bebryces, Amycos who “made strangers who landed there to box with him, and in that way brought about their death. So he went up to the Argo on this occasion too, and challenged the best man present”. Like Miller’s squad, the Argonauts defeat an oppressing force that tries to destroy the good