Supernatural

TO HELL AND BACK-SUPERNATURAL

Alex

Meaning: Hell is the ultimate supervillain lair and true test of any hero. Some will enter to save a loved one and others for the glory of slaying the darkest of evils. Regardless of their motivation, getting into hell is only half the battle.

 

Origins: This trope can be traced back to as early as the tale of Odysseus, dating back to the 8th century BCE. This trope is present in a great number of mythological tales and almost always involves a tragedy of some sort.

 

Significance and Symbolism: The idea of hell can take on many forms.  Regardless of how one perceives hell, it’s almost always considered a horrible place. Whether the hero must cross the river Styx, enter Bowser’s palace, or walk into Mordor it’s almost always a suicide mission. The courage that must exist within the hero for them to attempt such a mission is a true testament of their character.

 

Examples: The greek story of Orpheus, Frodo and the Fellowship, Captain Miller’s rangers in “Saving Private Ryan”. These examples involve heroes entering their version of hell. Some are more tragic than others but all of them could be considered fool’s errands in a way.