Why we need monsters to make us better

Monsters have been a part of human storytelling and mythology for centuries. From ancient Greek myths to modern-day horror films, monsters have captured our imaginations and frightened us at the same time. But why do we need dragons in our dungeons, creatures in our lagoons, monsters under our bed?

Monsters provide the resistance necessary to help us get better. A hero doesn’t go on an adventure and take risks unless there is a chance that they can learn and grow, accomplish something amazing. The hero as protagonist and monster as antagonist creates a push-pull dynamic of opposites. This ancient relationship is critical to great storytelling and essential for change, whether it’s more knowledge, strength, or skill. We don’t get better without facing challenges in our lives. The hero can’t evolve without the monster. 

Joseph Campbell was an American author best known for his concept of the Hero’s Journey. He describes a common narrative structure found in myths, legends, and other forms of storytelling across different cultures. The Hero’s Journey, as described in his book “The Hero with a Thousand Faces,” involves a protagonist who embarks on a journey, faces obstacles, and ultimately triumphs over evil. The monsters that the hero must face in these stories are key to this journey and change. 

Lessons we can learn when we challenge monsters:

1. Confront our fears. Monsters embody the unknown, representing the things we are afraid of or things we cannot control. A monster in a story is a way that we can confront our fears in a safe and controlled way.

2. Challenge our assumptions. Monsters are often seen as evil or dangerous, but they can also be misunderstood. Monsters that defy our expectations and challenge our assumptions can expand our understanding of the world.

3. Provide catharsis. Watching a hero defeat a monster can be satisfying, especially if we have been feeling overwhelmed in our own lives. The happy ending of the hero triumphing over the monster can help us process emotions and move on from difficult experiences.

4. Explore our darker impulses. Monsters can embody the parts of ourselves that we try to suppress. By facing monsters, we can explore what it means to be human, the good with the bad.

5. Inspire creativity. By creating new, unique monsters, we exercise our imagination and explore new possibilities. Whether we are writing a screenplay or designing a game, monsters can provide inspiration and fuel our creativity.

We and the hero of the story need monsters to challenge us and make us better. Monsters are a powerful symbol of the unknown. By creating them and then facing them, we can expand our understanding of the world and ourselves.