Just as confronting unpleasant archetypes is the goal of Jung's theory, the hero's quest climaxes in a battle with an archetypal character. Once confronted, the knowledge or power of the archetypal character is added to the hero.
Mythology holds many examples of such a quest. Perseus cut off the head of Medusa, avoiding direct eye contact with the Gorgon with the use of a reflective shield by which he can observe his enemy without being turned to stone. This symbolizes the acknowledgement of a shadow archetype with the aid of a medium. In psychology, a medium is provided by the help of a therapist. Similarly, Aeneas needed a guide through the underworld on his journey to meet the ghost of his deceased father. After his brave odyssey through the land of the dead, his father imparts knowledge to him that will allow him to become the founder of Rome. The hero has confronted the shadow and received understanding.
Star Wars and other modern science-fiction epics are derived from mythology, and therefore express the same archetypes. In Star Wars, Luke Skywalker first fails to recognize his shadow, which takes the form of Darth Vader. Denying that Vader is a part of him is a liability for Luke. Only when he accepts the truth is he able to save his psyche, and also that of his father, turning the shadow into the wise old man archetype.
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