Excellent question! And one with which I have been struggling myself in contemplating this thread. In myth, the Hero Warrior is set apart by both the opportunity and the willingness to take on the task. Does this make the Hero Warrior better than the farmer who simply wants to be left alone or does this simply make him different? Does earning immortality through deed and in song make one better? Or does this speak to our own value system? Could this be likened to the disparity between the pay of an NBA player and a teacher? Which is more worthy? Or could one exist without the other? Does the very fact of existence of those who seek quiet and avoid conflict make the Hero Warrior stand out all the more?Clemsy wrote:Are they worth the casting of a value judgment? Hmmm. Have they been subdued by their nemesis?
The deeper we go the more questions seem to be revealed.
Like Strider, Bilbo, and even Frodo, many of the greatest Hero Warriors were reluctantly drawn into their quest; some kicking and screaming (Bilbo, for instance!). I read a book once, Nineteen Stars, which offered biographies of Marshall, Eisenhower, Macarthur, and Patton (three 5 star generals and one 4 star). It asked the question of whether men are born great or become great in their circumstances. The answer seemed to be, "Yes." IOW, both are true.
BTW, thank you so much for sharing the Mr. Baggins' work. I know Campbell thought James Joyce was the greatest mythic writer of our time, but I am convinced that title belongs to JRR Tolkien! His works are a constant source of inspiration to me.
Bear