What follows is the “Ultimate boon”, the new knowledge and strength the hero wants to share with the world and represents the final goal of the hero’s entire journey. The boon itself can appear in several forms, either as a desired or needed object, enlightenment (knowledge) in perhaps even immortality.
In Luke Skywalker’s case, it is the honor of being a Jedi and to continue fighting for truth and justice in the galaxy.
After being a true hero and leader in the victory in the Battle for Middle Earth, Aragorn is now more than ever ready to take his position as rightful heir to the throne of Gondor.
Spider-Man’s ultimate boon is a bitter one as he must, despite declaring his love to her and vice-versa, turn down Mary Jane and the thought
…show more content…
The Magic Flight and the Refusal of the Return
After receiving his ultimate boon, the hero undertakes a “Magic Flight” to return home after completing his quest. On this “flight” he might be alone or accompanied by others. Sometimes the hero can also be reluctant regarding his return to his previous life. On their way home, the hero and his helpers must once again face some obstacles or vengeful forces which threaten their journey’s safety. Often there is a chasing scene involved at this stage and the dangers and threats are not over yet.
If the hero in his triumph wins the blessing of the goddess or the god and is then explicitly commissioned to return to the world with some elixir for the restoration of society, the final stage of his adventure is supported by all the powers of his supernatural patron. On the other hand, if the trophy has been attained against the opposition of its guardian, or if the hero's wish to return to the world has been presented by the gods or demons, then the last stage of the mythological round becomes a lively, often comical, pursuit. This flight may be complicated by marvels of magical obstruction and evasion. (Campbell
…show more content…
It is, however, not the refusal of returning home, but rather returning to be a superhero after successfully completing their missions. This “refusal” can be clearly seen in Superman II when Superman returns to the Fortress of Solitude in order to give up his superpowers because he wants to live an ordinary life with Lois Lane. Spider-Man’s “refusal” is based on the same emotions as is Superman’s. Spider-Man desires an intimate relationship with Mary Jane but it is not possible as long as he is Spider-Man. Like Superman, he also starts losing his powers due to a personality clash with his alter-ego Peter Parker. Batman too is prepared to end his crime-fighting life in order to be with the woman he loves. The most dramatic and intense relationship we encounter in the Batman movies is Bruce Wayne’s affection towards Selena Kyle, who later becomes Catwoman and is an enigmatic figure, an anti-heroine. In the two Batman movies, entitled Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, it is Rachel Dawes, Bruce’s childhood friend, for whom he is willing to abandon his double life. Nevertheless, all heroes, at a certain point, realize that their faith is inevitably connected with their powers and so they must consequently return to their roles as superheroes. “Anima”, one of Jung’s types of the collective unconscious is believed to provide the “feminine principle of male characters that allows them to feel