Difference between revisions of "Lord Raglan hero scale"

Revision as of 14:08, 28 February 2015

How similar is Jesus to other gods?

Major FitzRoy Richard Somerset, 4th Baron Raglan (10 June 1885–1964), a.k.a. Lord Raglan, was a British soldier, beekeeper, farmer and student of mythology. Raglan was educated at Eton and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, before entering the British Army. He joined the Grenadier Guards, serving in Hong Kong, North Africa and Palestine, and eventually rising to the rank of major. Raglan published his first book, Jocasta's Crime, in 1933, and The Hero in 1936. He worked independently of the academic establishment, carrying out little original research but synthesizing existing scholarship into provocative new lines of reasoning. He corresponded widely with scholars and participated in many professional associations, although he never pursued nor was awarded any academic degree. He served as president of the Folklore Society, Section H of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Royal Anthropological Institute, and many other organizations.

Characteristics of ‘The Hero’

Raglan's best-known work, The Hero, A Study in Tradition, Myth and Drama, was published in 1936. The book's central thesis is that hero figures of mythology had their origin in ritual drama, not historical fact. In the book's most influential chapter, he outlined 22 common traits of god-heroes which he called the "mythic hero archetype".

The 22 traits are:

• The hero's mother is a royal virgin;
• His father is a king, and
• Often a near relative of his mother, but
• The circumstances of his conception are unusual, and
• He is also reputed to be the son of a god.
• At birth an attempt is made, usually by his father or his maternal grandfather, to kill him, but
• He is spirited away, and
• Reared by foster parents in a far country.
• We are told nothing of his childhood, but
• On reaching manhood he returns or goes to his future kingdom.
• After a victory over the king, and/or a giant, dragon, or wild beast,
• He marries a princess, often the daughter of his predecessor, and
• Becomes king.
• For a time he reigns uneventfully, and
• Prescribes laws, but
• Later loses favor with the gods and/or his subjects, and
• Is driven from the throne and city, after which
• He meets a mysterious death,
• Often at the top of a hill.
• His children, if any, do not succeed him.
• His body is not buried, but nevertheless
• He has one or more holy sepulchers.

This average biography must be interpreted rather loosely, or else hardly anyone will fit. "A god" can be one of several polytheist gods or a single monotheist one. A "king" can be any sort of great leader. "A far country" can be some very different community in the same nation. Etc.

Hero Scores using Raglan's scale

Oedipus 21, Theseus 20, Romulus 18, Heracles 17, Perseus 18, Jason 15, Bellerophon 16, Pelops 13, Asclepius 12, Dionysus 19, Apollo 11, Zeus 15, Joseph (in Genesis) 12, Moses 20, Elijah 9, Watu Gunung (of Java) 18, Nyikang (Shiluk cult hero) 14, Sigurd or Siegfried 11, Llew Llawgyffes 17, King Arthur 19, and Robin Hood 13.

Raglan was careful to avoid scoring Jesus Christ, to avoid conflict with the original publisher. However, folklorist Alan Dundes had done so, finding a score of 20 for Jesus Christ.

Sources:
The Hero Pattern
Atheism Wikia Lord Raglan page
Rank Raglan mythotype on Wikipedia