I chose the alpha male archetype for my final project because I've always been fascinated with the Roman deity Jupiter, as well as the many portrayals of male gods in mythology and throughout cultures. I also chose this because, in response to the rise of feminism, the alpha male has become a popular concept. Each culture has expectations of men, which I believe derives from the example set by men in positions of authority, particularly gods who have been worshipped since the birth of humanity. The most notable instances of the alpha male archetype in my research are the Roman God Jupiter and the Norse God Odin. Both gods represent the parent figure and natural leader in a patriarchal society controlled by men. To have a better grasp of my archetype, I'm using the dispersion theory and the collective unconscious.

Dispersion theory in mythology refers to the notion that mythology is ever-present and ever-changing. It's the idea that a story might be the same in one culture but have a different impact or meaning in another, and that stories can change depending on who they're told to and how they're told (Gerringer). Mythology has its origins and roots in far eastern countries like Greece, Rome, and Egypt, but it has also spread to western countries. The underlying evolution of separate stories over time, person, and location is described by dispersion theory.

Myths and dreams, according to Carl Jung, are expressions of a collective consciousness, which he refers to as the collective unconscious. Myths were designed to be a way to communicate understanding. Although archetypes are universal, their expression differs from person to person and culture to culture, resulting in mythological variations (Gerringer). The designations given to the expressions are called archetypal pictures.

In mythology, theories are used to help us better understand how stories are perceived differently from person to person and culture to culture, as well as how myths circulate and grow along the same paths. Dispersion theory explains how myths migrate, evolve, and change over time in many cultures and religions, whereas Jung's collective unconscious concept explains how archetypes are found in a wide range of cultures and religions. They work together to help us grasp mythology better.

The study of mythology requires a thorough comprehension of terminology. The following is a list of and definitions for some of the key terms used in mythology:

1.     Archetype – Original, typical example of a person or thing (Merriam-Webster).

2.     Polytheistic – worshiping more than one God (Merriam-Webster).

3.     Patriarchy is a social system in which family members are related to each other through their fathers (Merriam-Webster).

4.     Sociological myths - maintain social order by authorizing a social code for a culture to follow.

5.     Psychological myths - provide models for personal conduct.

I compared Jupiter's rape of Callisto and Odin's rape of Rindr's. These two legends were chosen because they highlight both gods' immense strength. They are in charge, and they have the authority to take anything they want, whenever they want, and by whatever means they see fit. According to Ovid, Jupiter supposedly seduced and impregnated Callisto, one of Diana's hunting companions. Jupiter takes on the appearance of the Goddess Diana and forces himself upon Callisto. Odin uses a similar approach to drive Rindr insane and then disguising himself as a female healer.

The narrative of Jupiter and Callisto is told in Roman mythology. A society based on Roman mythology arose around 700 B.C. The belief in more than one God, or polytheism, is at the heart of Roman mythology. Roman mythology is a patriarchal society with a reputation for sexist attitudes toward women. Odin and Rindr are Norse mythological characters. The Norse mythology-related Scandinavian culture dates from around the 9th century A.D. Polytheistic principles underpin Norse mythology, as they do Roman mythology. In Norse mythology, which is a patriarchal culture, the God's ancestors are traced through fathers and sons.

There are parallels and differences between these two mythological legends. Both stories have patriarchal foundations and demonstrate how significant power is in the culture in which they are placed. In the myth of Jupiter and Callisto, the Roman society grants Jupiter the ability and freedom to take whatever or anyone he desires. Because he is the all-powerful creator, everyone must submit to him. The Norse people respect Odin's rules and expectations since he is the all-father. Why should these men be allowed to do whatever they want because they have no one to answer to and no one to hold them accountable?

Dispersion theory may explain and demonstrate how these myths traveled over the world from culture to culture. Dispersion theory helps explain how stories about the alpha male and his arrogant use of power, as shown in these stories, evolve and shape society's perceptions of mortals, particularly women. Dispersion theory also explains why different cultures express and tell the same story about power and authority in different ways. For example, Odin's story was inspired by a prophecy he intended to fulfill, rather than his desire to own or conquer Rindr. "Odin consulted prophets and diviners and found out that it would be the son of him and Rindr that would bring about his wrath," Grammaticus said of Odin's son Baldr's death. Odin disguised himself as a female healer to care for Rindr and gain her trust after she rejected Odin's advances. After that, he stole whatever he needed to forcefully fulfill the prophecy. Only the level of brutality and the disguise used in this narrative are identical. The most significant distinction is the motivation for the violence. While Odin didn't use Rindr to satisfy his own needs, he believed it was necessary in some ways; Jupiter's desire for Callisto was his sole motive. To make his conquest easier, he disguised himself as the Goddess Diana to "evade Juno's wrath." This demonstrated careful planning, but it provided no justification for his conduct.

The connection to the alpha male archetype in these tales is explained by the collective unconscious theory, which connects archetype with myth. In the narrative of Jupiter and Callisto, for example, we see the alpha male archetype in the way he steals Callisto away from the Goddess Diana to whom Callisto had sworn a vow of chastity and obedience (Ovid). Jupiter took the power of another god and made a mockery of it by impersonating Diana to carry out the horrible act. The way Odin justifies rapping Rindr demonstrates his status as the alpha male. He considers his alternatives and decides to seize whatever he requires by any means necessary, without ever consulting council or his wives. He was just in his acts because his belief and decision were the only ones that counted. 

In Norse culture, the story of Odin and Rindr is essential because it teaches Norse men that in order to attain their goals, they must do whatever it takes, no matter who they harm. Men were encouraged to seek vengeance when they were harmed because it indicated that their God was willing to go to any extent to exact his vengeance. As a result, the alpha male persona arose in Norse society.

In Roman culture, the tale of Jupiter and Callisto is essential because it illustrates that Jupiter is the alpha male among his gods and goddesses. His alpha status is highly regarded, which contributes to his selfish behavior. Because of his greed and arrogance, he can disguise himself as another immortal and take advantage of a woman who has sworn vows to stay pure. This shows Roman men that if they are the family's head, their word is everything, and they may do whatever they want.

These myths would serve sociological and psychological reasons in terms of function. The act of authorizing a social code for a culture to obey in order to maintain social order is referred to as sociological. Both myths provide a standard for alpha male behavior in society and culture. As evidenced by the rise in men identifying as alpha males, this behavior is still prevalent today. Psychological myths, on the other hand, act as behavioral role models. These ideas reflect the normal conduct of alpha males, or men in leadership. They are portrayed as single-minded men who will accept whatever they desire or require. These myths portray a powerful masculine father figure who is always there and never wrong, and who is expected to take care of what is required without regard for others, focused only on his own personal wishes and needs.

References

Gerringer, Stephen. (2006). The Mythology of Archetypes. Practical Campbell.

Karsten Friis-Jensen (ed.) and Peter Fisher (trans.) Saxo Grammaticus: Gesta Danorum. The History of the Danes. Vol I. (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 2015), xxxiv, gives a likely date for completion ‘not long after 1208.’

Merriam-Webster. “Archetype Definition & Meaning.” Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster. 2022. www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/archetype

Merriam-Webster. “Patriarchy Definition & Meaning.” Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster. 2022. www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patriarchy

Merriam-Webster. “Polytheistic Definition & Meaning.” Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster. 2022. www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polytheistic

Ovid, 43 B. C-17 A. D. or 18 A. D. (2004). Ovid metamorphoses (R. J. Tarrant, Ed.). Oxford University Press.