The relationship between mythology, power and the hero in Turkish narrative tradition

This study aims at demonstrating through mythological analysis that heroes in different historical periods refer to the same body of value systems. It also intends to reveal how the relationship between heroes and power has been transformed over time. In this respect, heroes in Turkish narrative tradition like Oguz Kagan, Bamsı Beyrek, Karaoglan and Tarkan were selected and their narratives were analyzed by the close reading method.It was shown that the epic of Oguz Kagan, which is one of the pre-Islamic texts of Turkish culture, the story of Bamsı Beyrek, one of the texts of Islamic period, and Tarkan and Karaoglan, the 20th century comic books, all come from the same cultural cosmos when read in a mythological context. At the same time, they reveal the transformations of the perception of the hero in historical continuity. Conclusions derived from discussions in three main sections can be listed as follows:The first section shows how Oguz Kagan occupies a central place in power relations as an archetypical and divine hero, and how he gathers around him celestial and customary power within the central concept of ?kut?, which means sacred in Turkish. When analyzed the relation of the hero, standing both at the center and in the celestial world, to the power in the context of ?archetype? with regard to the collective unconsciousness, it is observed that Oguz Kagan reaches the self archetype as the civilizing hero.In the second section, the relationship between Bamsı Beyrek?s dissemination in the geography and the hero?s becoming terrestrial has been analyzed. It is claimed that the way the hero becomes terrestrial enables the association of the hero with seasonal cycles. It is observed that the transformation of the hero results in the alteration of his power-related centre. Although the relationship of the terrestrial hero with the celestial continues to exist, the bond between the concept of ?kut? and the hero is weakened.In the third part, the comics of Karaoglan and Tarkan are studied within the context of the invention and destruction of tradition. The texts are decoded through the concepts of ?invented tradition? and ?fakelore?, and inspired by the concept of fake-type, the heroes are identified as ?patchwork heroes?. Furthermore, it is observed that the transformation of the hero from archetype to fake-type also changes his relation to power. Under the power of political authority, patchwork heroes lose the initiation processes intrinsic to their nature.This study revealed that the cultural dynamics of production and destruction of a hero can be found out through mythological close reading applied to texts. As a result, it is suggested that the hero?s relationship to power is essential for the continuity of a hero?s natural cycle that makes the restoration of tradition possible.Key Words:1- The relationship between hero and power2- Mythology3- ?Kut? and custom4- Folklore5- Archetype