#14 intro to the hero’s journey /5 · the hero’s journey •most stories & myths follow...
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#14 Intro to the Hero’s Journey /5
Joseph Campbell• Influenced by Carl Jung, Campbell
conceptualized the “monomyth” of
the Hero’s Journey
• MOST stories & myths follow this
structure
• Not just a physical journey, but an
emotional and psychological one of
separation, descent, conflict, &
growth
Epic Hero Characteristics1. Larger than life figure undertakes a perilous voyage
2. Forever remembered, achieving a type of immortality
3. Regular human overcomes great obstacles & opponents but maintains humanity
4. Experiences typical human emotions/feelings but is able to control them better than a typical person
5. Undergoes personal transformation during journey
Stages of the Hero’s Journey
(Cycle)
1. Ordinary World
2. Call to Adventure
3. Refusal of the Call
4. Meeting with the Mentor
5. Crossing the Threshold
6. Tests, Allies, Enemies
7. Approach to the Inmost Cave
8. Ordeal
9. Reward
10. The Road Back
11. Resurrection
12. Return with the Elixir
1) Ordinary World• Establishes hero’s ordinary and
uneventful life• Highlights hero’s unique
characteristics and flaws that set him/her apart
• Hero’s home and safe haven• Introduces the problem that
disrupts hero’s Ordinary World
2) Call to Adventure• Disrupts normalcy of Ordinary
World• Presents a challenge or quest that
compels hero into the Special World
• Often presented by a Herald, this catalyst can come as a message, storm, arrival of villain, abduction, death, etc.
3) Refusal of the Call
• Insecurities & fears keep herofrom initially undertaking journey
• Hero prefers safety of home• Willing or reluctant hero may
suffer due to denial• Risks and stakes are
established/escalated
4) Meeting the Mentor• Aids hero by giving what he/she
needs for journey• May provide wisdom, training,
confidence, or talisman (special object imbued with power)
• Typically disappears for the hero to realize self-worth and ability to finish journey
5) Crossing the Threshold• Threshold is the boundary
between hero’s familiar Ordinary World and the unknown of the Special World
• Possibly confront a Threshold Guardian
• Event that signifies commitment to journey
6) Tests, Allies, Enemies
• Out of comfort zone, Hero faces aseries of challenges that initiates him/her into the Special World
• Assembles helpers and villains that define the Hero
• Encounters physical or personalobstacles that tests hero’s abilities and commitment to finishing journey
7) Approach to the Inmost Cave
• Inmost Cave can be an actual perilous location or an unresolved inner conflict
• May face another Threshold guardian• Reflect on surviving journey so far and
make final preparations before facing the major challenge
• Stakes raised, Hero rededicates self tothe mission before facing the supremeOrdeal
8) Ordeal• Hero must draw upon all skills and
experiences gained upon the path to confront great opposition.
• Only through “death” can the Herobe reborn with greater powers or insight.
• Ordeal is the major crisis but not the climax.
9) Reward
• Hero receives consequences of surviving Ordeal.
• Reward may come in many forms: apowerful object, an elixir, a celebration or reprieve from peril, new knowledge, clarity, or love.
• With reward in hand, Hero is reinvigorated to finish journey.
10) The Road Back• Hero must cross the Return
Threshold back to the OrdinaryWorld, which he/she may not wantto do.
• Despite overcoming Ordeal andreceiving Reward, conflict remains unresolved and Hero recommits to finishing journey.
11) Resurrection
• Climax in which the Hero must have final and most dangerous encounter with death
• Highest stakes• Final shedding of old self and
Hero becoming aware of transformation
12) Return with the Elixir
• Final reward for Journey• Elixir brings closure to Journey
and improves Ordinary World.• Elixir may be a treasured prize or
achievement of self-change.• Loose ends are tied for all.
SU
MM
AR
Y Something that is
becoming clear to me about the hero’s
journey is… (2-3 sentences)
Name another
story that fits the Hero’s
Journey!