COMPARATIVE STUDY OF EPIC HERO ARCHETYPES IN EURASIAN FOLKLORE
Keywords:
epic hero, archetype, folklore, Eurasia, Alpomish, Jumong, Ilya MurometsAbstract
Epic folklore occupies a significant place in the cultural heritage of Eurasian peoples, reflecting their historical memory, moral values, and national identity. This article presents a comparative study of epic hero archetypes in Uzbek, Korean, and Russian folklore through the examples of Alpomish, Jumong, and Ilya Muromets. The research focuses on the origins, character traits, heroic functions, and symbolic meanings of these epic figures. Despite cultural and geographical differences, the analysis reveals common archetypal features such as supernatural strength, devotion to homeland, struggle against evil forces, and the role of the hero as a protector of society. At the same time, each epic hero embodies unique national characteristics shaped by specific historical and cultural contexts. The study demonstrates that epic hero archetypes serve as universal cultural models while preserving distinct national identities.
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