Analysis Of The Story Of Odyssey Vs. Rapunzel

The confusing journey

Joseph Campbell said, “We must not be afraid to abandon the life we had planned.” Campbell says that to have the life we want, we must end the stalemated lives we have lived and begin a new chapter. Both Odysseus and Rapunzel must end their lives and start a new life. Rapunzel is the long-lost princess, the “daughter” witch Mother Gothel. She waits for her birthday to realize her dream of seeing the lanterns. Rapunzel dreams of seeing the lights and makes her way through the tower to achieve her goals. The makers of Tangled, Disney Pixar portray the journey of the contemporary hero from the hero’s path archetype that Homer also showed in The Odyssey. Odysseus, the king ithaca, has been absent from his homeland, Penelopeia and Telemachos. While Odysseus is plagued by unruly men, Penelopeia und Telemachos have no hope for his return. Odysseus faces many challenges on his journey. After twenty years, he cannot return home. Finally, he returns home a changed man. Christopher Vogler has rephrased the steps that make up the hero’s path, which are also applied to Odysseus’ journey. The purpose and reality of the hero’s quest can vary but they all have the same three steps. The similarities and distinctions of Rapunzel’s Tangled from Disney Pixar and Odysseus’s The Odyssey from Homer are based on a hero’s story archetype.

The Preparation stages are crucial to kickstart the hero’s journey of Odysseus/Rapunzel. They both react differently to each step. The Preparation comprises five stages: The ordinary world, The Call to Adventure, The Refusal of the Call, Meeting the Mentor, and Crossing the Border. The Preparation’s most important step is The Ordinary World. It is where the hero feels uncomfortable with their current situation. Both Odysseus, Rapunzel and Calypso are unhappy with their current situation and long to move on. Odysseus, who is still on Calypso’s islands, becomes stuck. Calypso finally tells Odysseus he must leave. Homer 65. His eyes were filled with tears, but they never dried. Life was slowly losing its sweetness.” Odysseus shows his dissatisfaction at his normal world and how his inability to make any changes to Ogygia causes him to lose his life. Odysseus loses hope of ever returning home. He is alone and without anyone to help him. Odysseus shows us a normal world. But we should not lose hope or find meaning in life. Tangled’s Rapunzel, a long-lost princess who is kept in a tower by her mother, feels like something is wrong. Rapunzel asks Mother Gothel about why she can’t go outside. Mother Gothel responds: “The world outside is very dangerous, filled with terrible, selfish people.” This is significant as Rapunzel is questioning Mother Gothel’s refusal to let her out and isn’t completely trusting her. Rapunzel expresses her dissatisfaction about Mother Gothel by questioning her. This is like Odysseus’ normal world. He is discontented with it and wants to leave. Both Rapunzel, Odysseus and their other worlds show they are both looking for the right life for themselves. People, too, need to follow their instincts. The Journey is the second stage of the hero’s path archetype. It is the main part. It is also the stage where the hero has a full life and experiences many of the challenges that will affect him. This stage has four steps: allies, enemies, the test, new approach and the ordeal. Finally, there is the reward. The most important step, the ordeal, is when the hero discovers that they aren’t living as they should and realizes that their actions are wrong. Odysseus reminisces about his past troubles when the minstrel sings Odysseus songs. The book tells us that the minstrel sang “So sang Odysseus.” Homer 98. Odysseus was overwhelmed and his eyes welled up with tears. The minstrel sang Odysseus’ song. This forced Odysseus to reevaluate his life and determine what he had done wrong. Everyone should go through this ordeal. Without it, they would never learn from their mistakes. Rapunzel experiences the same thing, but in a slightly different way. Eugene “leaves Rapunzel”, as this is Mother’s plan. Rapunzel figures that she is the princess lost. Rapunzel is quoted as saying, “I’m the lost princess. Aren’t you?” Did you hear me mumble, mom? Or should I say ?… no? You were wrong about everything. “And you were wrong about my” (Tangled). Rapunzel falls madly in love with Eugene. She gives her the stolen crown back. But Eugene’s “monsters,” Mother Gothel as well as the two crooks, send Rapunzel to jail, where she puts him on a ship. Rapunzel observes Eugene “leaving” but Mother tries to show Rapunzel her knowledge of Eugene’s intentions. Rapunzel is finally able to see that Mother Gothel has brought Rapunzel back into the castle. Rapunzel must carefully decide how she will handle this situation. This principle should be applied in all aspects of life. One mistake by an antagonist can endanger a person’s life.

The Return is the final stage. This is where the hero finally arrives at their destination and experiences more than they expected. He or she becomes a better person. These three stages include the road back, resurrection hero, as well as the return with the magic elixir. The return with the elixir is the most important stage. This is because the hero can finally feel relaxed and can radiate happiness and relief to others. Odysseus’ homecoming with the elixir comes when he tells Penelopeia about it. Penolopeia becomes emotional when she discovers Odysseus’ true identity. She ran to Odysseus, bursting into tears, and throwing her arms around his neck. She kissed him …” (Homer 257). Penelopeia is overwhelmed with joy and comfort when Odysseus brings her the “elixir”. It makes the whole world seem perfect. The “return of the elixir” signifies the end to all the struggles. This is also the time when Telemachos and Penelopeia are free from the pain caused by Odysseus. Ithaca will finally be the place where Odysseus can return. This is when people can finally relax and enjoy their new life. This is crucial because it’s more than a celebration of Odysseus’s return, it’s a chance to enjoy the new life the hero is leading. Tangled by Disney shows Rapunzel returning to the kingdom as a princess with the elixir. This is where all of Rapunzel’s hopes and dreams come true. Eugene proposes Rapunzel marriage. Eugene narrates and describes how dreams become reality. (Tangled). Rapunzel returned with the elixir and has made the kingdom’s anxiety disappear. She has also brought joy, peace, and hope. The kingdom is brightened by the return of Rapunzel, whose long-lost princess brings a new sense to life. This new way of living is “the life they have been waiting for”. Because everyone was able to achieve their dreams, Rapunzel’s return to Rapunzel with the elixir was important. The moment the hero returns with the elixir allows them to live the life they dreamed of in the story. The hero starts living a new and better life.

Odysseus, Rapunzel and other heroes are depicted as heroes whose stories should be shared and learned about to help people live the life they desire. Each stage in The Preparation is followed by The Journey and The Return. The hero must take a step forward to achieve the life he or her dreams of. The steps include the ordinary world, ordeal, and return with the magic elixir. The hero begins by feeling like something is wrong. The journey is filled with many trials and the hero eventually returns home transformed. The journey of the hero is a archetype that changes the character and brings new qualities to those around him. These steps allow a person mold their life and make them happier. Some people don’t get to see the hero’s journey. Does that make it harder for us to “get rid” of our lives and live the life we desire?