Abstract
This article is an exposition of the legendary character of Hang Tuah in the traditional Malay literary work titled Hang Tuah edited by Kassim Ahmad (1964), which is based on the manuscript Hikayat Hang Tuah from the collection of Dewan Bahasa and Pustaka. It traces the experiences of Hang Tuah, the main character, focusing on the development of his heroism. The concept of the construction of a hero is based on Joseph Campbell’s prototype model of the hero, whereby in his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces (first published 1949, third edition 2009), he summarizes every step of the hero’s journey into three stages: departure, initiation and return. The objective of the article is to examine Hang Tuah as a heroic figure using Campbell’s model as an archetype. The analysis will show the similarities in the treatment of the hero entity as an extraordinary person in Malay literature, while at the same time highlighting the most noticeable differences. The backbone of the construct is the contention that Hang Tuah’s heroism runs in tandem with the concept of king and kingdom in Malay tradition. Keywords: Hang Tuah, legendary warrior, Malay hero, hero’s journey
Highlights
This article seeks to investigate the hero characteristics as conceived in Hang Tuah, the legendary warrior of the book Hang Tuah, a traditional Malay literary text
In Hang Tuah we find a specific difference in its fulfillment
In Malay literature, Hang Tuah is a symbol of heroism
Summary
This article seeks to investigate the hero characteristics as conceived in Hang Tuah, the legendary warrior of the book Hang Tuah, a traditional Malay literary text. All the service Hang Tuah gives is for the ultimate fulfillment as the servant of the king This is the segment wherein Hang Tuah’s heroism is tested from a higher order in the person of Pateh Gajah Mada, the highest chieftain (Prime Minister) of the Majapahit kingdom. He retreats to the backwaters of the kingdom, where he lives the life of a recluse, spending all his time in the enrichment of religious knowledge His reinstatement into the king’s court is ironic, for he is called back into the king’s service to kill his friend, Hang Jebat, who has taken it upon himself to avenge Hang Tuah’s death, and who himself has become embroiled in the situation of which Hang Tuah was accused earlier. This becomes Hang Tuah’s journey in life after the Malay kingdom has gained peace and prosperity
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