hero cycle

The Hero Cycle

The Hero Cycle

I m p o r t a n tBackgroundI m p o r t a n tBackground

The Plot of StoriesThe Plot of StoriesStories happen in poems, songs, short Stories happen in poems, songs, short stories, novels, plays, and films.stories, novels, plays, and films.

PlotPlot = the structure of the story = the structure of the story

There are essentially only There are essentially only twotwo plots: plots:A person leaves on an adventure.A person leaves on an adventure.

A stranger comes to town.A stranger comes to town.

Correction: If we ignore point of view, we Correction: If we ignore point of view, we have only one have only one plotplot. For the person on the . For the person on the adventure adventure isis the stranger who comes to the stranger who comes to town!town!

Carl JungCarl Jung1875 – 19611875 – 1961

Swiss psychologist/ Swiss psychologist/ psychiatristpsychiatrist

Collaborator and Collaborator and friend of Freudfriend of Freud

Collective Collective unconscious unconscious = = inherited fantasy lifeinherited fantasy life

ArchetypesArchetypes = basic = basic components of human components of human psychic naturepsychic nature

The The herohero = an = an important archetypeimportant archetype

Just as the human body Just as the human body shows a shows a common common

anatomyanatomy over and above over and above all racial differencesall racial differences, so, , so,

too, the human psyche too, the human psyche possesses a possesses a common common

substratumsubstratum transcending transcending all differences in all differences in cultureculture

and and consciousnessconsciousness..

Just as the human body Just as the human body shows a shows a common common

anatomyanatomy over and above over and above all racial differencesall racial differences, so, , so,

too, the human psyche too, the human psyche possesses a possesses a common common

substratumsubstratum transcending transcending all differences in all differences in cultureculture

and and consciousnessconsciousness..

I have called this I have called this substratum the substratum the

collective collective unconsciousunconscious, … , … [which] is … the [which] is … the brain structure brain structure

irrespective of irrespective of all racial all racial

differencesdifferences..

I have called this I have called this substratum the substratum the

collective collective unconsciousunconscious, … , … [which] is … the [which] is … the brain structure brain structure

irrespective of irrespective of all racial all racial

differencesdifferences..

Just as everyone Just as everyone has two arms has two arms

and two legs, so and two legs, so too does too does

everyone share everyone share

common common ideasideas for for

stories and the stories and the characters who characters who

populate the populate the tales.tales.

Just as everyone Just as everyone has two arms has two arms

and two legs, so and two legs, so too does too does

everyone share everyone share

common common ideasideas for for

stories and the stories and the characters who characters who

populate the populate the tales.tales.

Joseph Joseph CampbellCampbell

Joseph Joseph CampbellCampbell1904 – 19881904 – 1988Mythologist, college Mythologist, college professor, authorprofessor, authorCampbell’s big Campbell’s big contribution: contribution: definition of a herodefinition of a hero [from mythical to [from mythical to ordinary human]ordinary human]Path with specific Path with specific stages, stages, all of whichall of which the potential hero must the potential hero must traveltravel

First Major Section of the Cycle

Departure

First Major Section of the Cycle

Departure

Stage 1: Call to AdventureStage 1: Call to AdventureA A heraldherald or or announcerannouncer appears appears

OftenOften [but not [but not alwaysalways] someone dark, loathly, ] someone dark, loathly, terrifying, and/or unordinaryterrifying, and/or unordinarySometimes a beastSometimes a beast

The call is typically heard The call is typically heard someplace someplace remoteremote—for example, in a dark forest, near —for example, in a dark forest, near a great tree, beside a babbling spring, etc.a great tree, beside a babbling spring, etc.The call promises The call promises both treasure and both treasure and dangerdanger..The call requires The call requires traveltravel to a distant land, to a distant land, forest, or kingdom somewhere underground, forest, or kingdom somewhere underground, beneath the waves, above the sky, on a beneath the waves, above the sky, on a secret island, atop a lofty mountain—even secret island, atop a lofty mountain—even into a profound dream state.into a profound dream state.

The call [is] a … moment, of The call [is] a … moment, of spiritual passagespiritual passage, which, when , which, when complete, amounts to complete, amounts to a dying a dying

and birthand birth. The familiar life . The familiar life horizon has been outgrown; the horizon has been outgrown; the

old concepts, ideals, and old concepts, ideals, and emotional patterns emotional patterns no longer no longer

fitfit; the time for the ; the time for the passing of a passing of a thresholdthreshold is at hand. is at hand.

The call [is] a … moment, of The call [is] a … moment, of spiritual passagespiritual passage, which, when , which, when complete, amounts to complete, amounts to a dying a dying

and birthand birth. The familiar life . The familiar life horizon has been outgrown; the horizon has been outgrown; the

old concepts, ideals, and old concepts, ideals, and emotional patterns emotional patterns no longer no longer

fitfit; the time for the ; the time for the passing of a passing of a thresholdthreshold is at hand. is at hand.

Campbell says this about the Campbell says this about the call call to adventureto adventure::Campbell says this about the Campbell says this about the call call to adventureto adventure::

Remember Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings, who called first Bilbo and

then Frodo?

Remember Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings, who called first Bilbo and

then Frodo?

Stage 2: Refusal of the CallStage 2: Refusal of the CallStage 2: Refusal of the CallStage 2: Refusal of the CallAll true heroes All true heroes at firstat first refuse the adventure. refuse the adventure.The consequences of finally The consequences of finally acceptingaccepting the the call:call:

The person gains The person gains self-awarenessself-awareness and and controlcontrol..The person responds only to the deepest, highest, The person responds only to the deepest, highest, richest answers to problems faced in life.richest answers to problems faced in life.

The consequences of always The consequences of always refusingrefusing the call: the call:The person The person loses the power of affirmative loses the power of affirmative actionaction and becomes a victim to be saved. and becomes a victim to be saved.According to Campbell, the person’s “According to Campbell, the person’s “flowering flowering worldworld becomes a becomes a wastelandwasteland of dry stones and his of dry stones and his life feels life feels meaninglessmeaningless.”.”

Campbell says this about the Campbell says this about the refusal of the callrefusal of the call::Campbell says this about the Campbell says this about the refusal of the callrefusal of the call::

The The refusalrefusal is is essentially a essentially a

refusal to refusal to give upgive up what one takes to what one takes to

be be one’s own one’s own interestinterest..

The The refusalrefusal is is essentially a essentially a

refusal to refusal to give upgive up what one takes to what one takes to

be be one’s own one’s own interestinterest..

What?What? You You want me to want me to leaveleave

and give up and give up all all this?this?

What?What? You You want me to want me to leaveleave

and give up and give up all all this?this?

Do you want your Do you want your life to be this, a life to be this, a wasteland of dry wasteland of dry

stones?stones?

Do you want your Do you want your life to be this, a life to be this, a wasteland of dry wasteland of dry

stones?stones?

… … Or do you Or do you want your life to want your life to

be this, a be this, a flowering world?flowering world?

… … Or do you Or do you want your life to want your life to

be this, a be this, a flowering world?flowering world?

Stage 3: Stage 3: Super-natural Super-natural

AidAid

Stage 3: Stage 3: Super-natural Super-natural

AidAidUsually [but not Usually [but not always] always] masculinemasculine in formin formTypically a wizard, Typically a wizard, hermit, shepherd,or hermit, shepherd,or smith—someone smith—someone peripheral peripheral to the to the communitycommunitySupplies the Supplies the amuletsamulets and and adviceadvice that the hero that the hero will require to beginwill require to begin

Campbell says this about Campbell says this about supernatural aidsupernatural aid::Campbell says this about Campbell says this about supernatural aidsupernatural aid::

For those who have For those who have notnot refused the call, the refused the call, the first first encounterencounter … is with a … is with a protective figureprotective figure … …

who provides the who provides the adventurer with adventurer with amuletsamulets

against the against the dragon dragon forcesforces he is about to he is about to

pass.pass.

For those who have For those who have notnot refused the call, the refused the call, the first first encounterencounter … is with a … is with a protective figureprotective figure … …

who provides the who provides the adventurer with adventurer with amuletsamulets

against the against the dragon dragon forcesforces he is about to he is about to

pass.pass.

ThresholdThreshold

Great Unknown

Great Unknown

Stage 4:Stage 4:Crossing of the First ThresholdCrossing of the First Threshold

Stage 4:Stage 4:Crossing of the First ThresholdCrossing of the First Threshold

Sphere of Sphere of KnowledgeKnowledge

I am so I am so out ofout of here!here!

I am so I am so out ofout of here!here!

Campbell says this about the Campbell says this about the crossing of the first thresholdcrossing of the first threshold::Campbell says this about the Campbell says this about the crossing of the first thresholdcrossing of the first threshold::

The hero goes forward The hero goes forward in his adventure until he in his adventure until he

comes to … the comes to … the entrance zone of entrance zone of magnified power.magnified power.

Beyond … is Beyond … is darknessdarkness, , the the unknownunknown, and , and

dangerdanger..

The hero goes forward The hero goes forward in his adventure until he in his adventure until he

comes to … the comes to … the entrance zone of entrance zone of magnified power.magnified power.

Beyond … is Beyond … is darknessdarkness, , the the unknownunknown, and , and

dangerdanger..

Campbell says, “The hero … is swallowed into the

unknown, and would appear to have died.”

Campbell says, “The hero … is swallowed into the

unknown, and would appear to have died.”

Stage 5: The Stage 5: The Belly of the Belly of the

WhaleWhale

Stage 5: The Stage 5: The Belly of the Belly of the

WhaleWhale

Crossing the Crossing the threshold is a form of threshold is a form of self-annihilationself-annihilation. .

The The bellybelly = the = the adventure, where the adventure, where the rules are rules are differentdifferent..

The hero is to be The hero is to be born againborn again, undergo , undergo a a metamorphosismetamorphosis, , shed his old character shed his old character for a for a new onenew one..

Second Major Section of the Second Major Section of the CycleCycle

InitiationInitiation

Second Major Section of the Second Major Section of the CycleCycle

InitiationInitiation

Stage 6: The Stage 6: The Road of TrialsRoad of TrialsStage 6: The Stage 6: The Road of TrialsRoad of TrialsThe hero must put The hero must put aside pride, virtue, aside pride, virtue, beauty, and life.beauty, and life.He must He must bowbow and and submitsubmit to the to the absolutely absolutely intolerableintolerable..Dragons must be Dragons must be slain, victories won, slain, victories won, barriers passed, barriers passed, ecstasies ecstasies experienced, etc.--experienced, etc.--usually in series of usually in series of threesthrees..

Campbell says this about the Campbell says this about the road road of trialsof trials::Campbell says this about the Campbell says this about the road road of trialsof trials::

Once having Once having traversed the traversed the threshold, the threshold, the hero … must hero … must survivesurvive a a

succession of succession of trialstrials..

Once having Once having traversed the traversed the threshold, the threshold, the hero … must hero … must survivesurvive a a

succession of succession of trialstrials..

Stage 7: Stage 7: Meeting withMeeting with the Goddess the Goddess

Stage 7: Stage 7: Meeting withMeeting with the Goddess the Goddess

Usually depicted Usually depicted youngyoung and/or and/or beautifulbeautifulTeaches the hero an Teaches the hero an important lessonimportant lesson..Does not have to be a Does not have to be a goddessgoddess [such as the [such as the Greek Athena or the Greek Athena or the Egyptian Isis]. Any Egyptian Isis]. Any strong femalestrong female or or feminine forcefeminine force meets the meets the requirements for this requirements for this stage.stage.

[The goddess] is [The goddess] is the incarnation of the incarnation of the the promisepromise of of perfectionperfection …. ….

She … guides [the She … guides [the hero] to hero] to burst his burst his

fettersfetters..

[The goddess] is [The goddess] is the incarnation of the incarnation of the the promisepromise of of perfectionperfection …. ….

She … guides [the She … guides [the hero] to hero] to burst his burst his

fettersfetters..

Campbell says this about the Campbell says this about the meeting with the goddessmeeting with the goddess::Campbell says this about the Campbell says this about the meeting with the goddessmeeting with the goddess::

Stage 8: Woman Stage 8: Woman as Temptressas Temptress

Stage 8: Woman Stage 8: Woman as Temptressas Temptress

Woman is the metaphor Woman is the metaphor for the for the physicalphysical or or material temptationsmaterial temptations of life.of life.A temptation tries to lead A temptation tries to lead the hero the hero offoff his path of his path of adventure.adventure.The “woman” can be a The “woman” can be a femalefemale, a , a strong strong feminine forcefeminine force, or a , or a temptationtemptation representing representing lustlust, , comfortcomfort, and/or , and/or lack of lack of spiritualityspirituality..

Not even monastery walls, … Not even monastery walls, … not even the remoteness of not even the remoteness of

the desert, can defend the desert, can defend against against female presencesfemale presences; ;

for as long as the [hero’s] for as long as the [hero’s] flesh clings to his bones and flesh clings to his bones and pulses warm, the pulses warm, the images of images of

lifelife are alert to are alert to stormstorm his his mindmind..

Not even monastery walls, … Not even monastery walls, … not even the remoteness of not even the remoteness of

the desert, can defend the desert, can defend against against female presencesfemale presences; ;

for as long as the [hero’s] for as long as the [hero’s] flesh clings to his bones and flesh clings to his bones and pulses warm, the pulses warm, the images of images of

lifelife are alert to are alert to stormstorm his his mindmind..

Campbell says this about the Campbell says this about the woman as temptresswoman as temptress::Campbell says this about the Campbell says this about the woman as temptresswoman as temptress::

Woman as Temptress: SirensWoman as Temptress: Sirens

Stage 9:Stage 9:Atonement with the Atonement with the

FatherFather

Stage 9:Stage 9:Atonement with the Atonement with the

FatherFatherAtonement = Atonement = atat ++ oneone + + mentmentThe hero encounters his The hero encounters his biologicalbiological father, a father, a father father figurefigure, a , a strong male strong male presencepresence, or someone or , or someone or something with something with incredible incredible powerpower..At first, the “father” At first, the “father” represents what the hero represents what the hero despisesdespises or or disagreesdisagrees with.with.The hero is killed during the The hero is killed during the encounter--either encounter--either literallyliterally or or symbolicallysymbolically--so that a --so that a new selfnew self can come into can come into being.being.

There is a new There is a new element of element of rivalryrivalry in the picture: the in the picture: the sonson against the against the

fatherfather for for masterymastery of the of the

universeuniverse..

There is a new There is a new element of element of rivalryrivalry in the picture: the in the picture: the sonson against the against the

fatherfather for for masterymastery of the of the

universeuniverse..

Campbell says this about the Campbell says this about the atonement with the fatheratonement with the father::Campbell says this about the Campbell says this about the atonement with the fatheratonement with the father::

Eventually, Luke realizes that his father and he share the same potential to be

evil.

Eventually, Luke realizes that his father and he share the same potential to be

evil.

apotheosisapotheosis n. n. Exaltation to Exaltation to divine rank divine rank or stature; or stature; deification; deification; Stage 10Stage 10

apotheosisapotheosis n. n. Exaltation to Exaltation to divine rank divine rank or stature; or stature; deification; deification; Stage 10Stage 10

Stage 11:The Ultimate

Boon

Stage 11:The Ultimate

BoonAll previous steps All previous steps have have preparedprepared and and purifiedpurified the hero for the hero for the boon.the boon.A A difficult taskdifficult task is is accomplished with accomplished with great easegreat ease..The boon is The boon is sometimes the sometimes the goalgoal of the adventure--a of the adventure--a magical elixir, the magical elixir, the holy grail, a golden holy grail, a golden fleece.fleece.

Campbell says this about Campbell says this about the the ultimate boonultimate boon::Campbell says this about Campbell says this about the the ultimate boonultimate boon::

The The easeease with which the with which the adventure is here adventure is here

accomplishedaccomplished signifies signifies that the hero is a that the hero is a superior superior manman, a , a born kingborn king. Where . Where the usual hero would face a the usual hero would face a test, the test, the electelect encounters encounters

no delaying obstacleno delaying obstacle and and makes no mistakemakes no mistake..

The The easeease with which the with which the adventure is here adventure is here

accomplishedaccomplished signifies signifies that the hero is a that the hero is a superior superior manman, a , a born kingborn king. Where . Where the usual hero would face a the usual hero would face a test, the test, the electelect encounters encounters

no delaying obstacleno delaying obstacle and and makes no mistakemakes no mistake..

Third Major Section of the Third Major Section of the CycleCycle

R e t u r nR e t u r n

Third Major Section of the Third Major Section of the CycleCycle

R e t u r nR e t u r n

The hero-quest The hero-quest requires that the requires that the hero hero returnreturn. The . The responsibility has responsibility has been been frequently frequently

refusedrefused..

The hero-quest The hero-quest requires that the requires that the hero hero returnreturn. The . The responsibility has responsibility has been been frequently frequently

refusedrefused..

Campbell says this about Stage 12, Campbell says this about Stage 12, the the refusal of the returnrefusal of the return::Campbell says this about Stage 12, Campbell says this about Stage 12, the the refusal of the returnrefusal of the return::

What?What? Leave all Leave all of of this fun?this fun?

What?What? Leave all Leave all of of this fun?this fun?

The The final stagefinal stage of [the of [the hero’s] adventure is hero’s] adventure is supportedsupported by all the by all the

powers of his powers of his supernatural patron … supernatural patron … or or complicatedcomplicated by … by … magical obstruction.magical obstruction.

The The final stagefinal stage of [the of [the hero’s] adventure is hero’s] adventure is supportedsupported by all the by all the

powers of his powers of his supernatural patron … supernatural patron … or or complicatedcomplicated by … by … magical obstruction.magical obstruction.

Campbell says this about Stage Campbell says this about Stage 13, 13, magical flightmagical flight::Campbell says this about Stage Campbell says this about Stage 13, 13, magical flightmagical flight::

Magical Flight: Helped or Hindered by Supernatural Powers

Magical Flight: Helped or Hindered by Supernatural Powers

The world may have to come and get him.

Society is jealous of those

who remain away from it, and will come

knocking at the door.

The world may have to come and get him.

Society is jealous of those

who remain away from it, and will come

knocking at the door.

Campbell says this about Stage 14, Campbell says this about Stage 14, rescue from withoutrescue from without::Campbell says this about Stage 14, Campbell says this about Stage 14, rescue from withoutrescue from without::

Stage 15:Stage 15:The Crossing of the Return ThresholdThe Crossing of the Return Threshold

Stage 15:Stage 15:The Crossing of the Return ThresholdThe Crossing of the Return Threshold

Old Sphere of

Knowledge

The Now Known Unknown

The Now Known Unknown

Hero’s ReentranceI’m I’m

back!back!I’m I’m

back!back!

He [must] re-enter … He [must] re-enter … where men who are where men who are fractionsfractions imagine imagine themselves to be themselves to be

completecomplete..

He [must] re-enter … He [must] re-enter … where men who are where men who are fractionsfractions imagine imagine themselves to be themselves to be

completecomplete..

Campbell says this about Campbell says this about crossing crossing the return thresholdthe return threshold::Campbell says this about Campbell says this about crossing crossing the return thresholdthe return threshold::

Freedom to Freedom to pass pass backback and and forthforth across across

the world the world division … is division … is the the talenttalent of of the the mastermaster..

Freedom to Freedom to pass pass backback and and forthforth across across

the world the world division … is division … is the the talenttalent of of the the mastermaster..

Campbell says this about Stage 16, Campbell says this about Stage 16, freedom to livefreedom to live::Campbell says this about Stage 16, Campbell says this about Stage 16, freedom to livefreedom to live::

Old Sphere of KnowledgeOld Sphere

of Knowledge

The Now Known Unknown

The Now Known Unknown

The Hero-Now-Master

The Hero-Now-Master

Master of the Two WorldsMaster of the Two WorldsMaster of the Two WorldsMaster of the Two Worlds

WhereverWherever, , wheneverwhenever, I am , I am

freefree to to act!act!

WhereverWherever, , wheneverwhenever, I am , I am

freefree to to act!act!

Powerful in Powerful in insightinsight, calm and , calm and free in free in actionaction, … the hero is , … the hero is the conscious vehicle of the the conscious vehicle of the

terrible, wonderful Law of the terrible, wonderful Law of the Universe, whether his work Universe, whether his work be that of be that of butcherbutcher, , jockeyjockey, ,

or or kingking..

Powerful in Powerful in insightinsight, calm and , calm and free in free in actionaction, … the hero is , … the hero is the conscious vehicle of the the conscious vehicle of the

terrible, wonderful Law of the terrible, wonderful Law of the Universe, whether his work Universe, whether his work be that of be that of butcherbutcher, , jockeyjockey, ,

or or kingking..

Campbell says this about Stage Campbell says this about Stage 17,17, master of two worldsmaster of two worlds::Campbell says this about Stage Campbell says this about Stage 17,17, master of two worldsmaster of two worlds::

What You Need to Know for the

The Hero Cycle Exam

What You Need to Know for the

The Hero Cycle Exam

OrOrYourYour Road of Trials Road of Trials

Part 1, Day 1: Readings, Music, and Film Clip

Part 1, Day 1: Readings, Music, and Film Clip

Part 1Part 1 will evaluate a will evaluate a newnew film clip. film clip.To prepare, do the following:To prepare, do the following:

Understand the definition of Understand the definition of each stageeach stage of the of the hero cycle so that you can hero cycle so that you can recognizerecognize an an example of it.example of it.Determine which stage(s) of the cycle you can Determine which stage(s) of the cycle you can find in find in the new film I will show you.the new film I will show you.

The End.The End.The End.The End.