When Hadding kills a giant and rescues a princess, his face is concealed by a wolf's mask helmet and his assistant says that it would be unlucky to name him where vengeful ghosts might prowl. Thus, here is the concept of a masked hero with a secret identity although I did not recognize it on previous readings. Also, Hadding is an incarnation of a god which is another case of a dual identity: human and superhuman.
These two concepts, hero with secret identity and god become man, are appropriate metaphors for human experience. We imagine becoming heroes and can also realize our hidden potential. Hero myths are about everyone.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
I would not say "Hero myths are about everyone." I think of such legends as stories reminding people that sometimes some of us can transcend or rise above the drab dullness of our ordinary every day lives. Examples I've thought of being BEOWULF, THE SONG OF ROLAND, or SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT.
Ad astra! Sean
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