The archetypal hero’s journey appears in all religions, mythologies, and stories of the world.

Information for this power point was taken from the following source:

 Davis, Bryan M. "The Archetypal Hero in Literature, Religion, Movies, and Popular Culture." 11 Oct 1997: 12 pp. Stephen F. Austin University. day Mon. Year. <http://titan.sfasu.edu/~beenet/resources/heromain.html>.

 

What is an archetype?

• Archetype n. An original model after which other similar things are patterned.

Who figured it out?

• Joseph Campbell (1904-1987)• He is the most well-known researcher of the

hero journey & archetypes. • He was a huge influence on George Lucas.

What did he believe?

• Every culture, religion, and/or society on earth shares similar themes in their stories.

• Campbell believed that myths are a teaching tool for learning how to live a human lifetime under any circumstances.

What are common Hero Archetype Characteristics?

• Unusual circumstances of birth; sometimes in danger or born into royalty

• Leaves family or land and lives with others • An event leads to calling or quest • Hero has a special weapon only he can wield • Hero always has supernatural help • The Hero must prove himself with tests• Journey to Hell or Unhealable Wound • Hero experiences atonement with the father • The hero returns or dies, he is rewarded

•  A hero's birth will always have an unusual

aspect to it. Many heroes are born to

royalty or are in danger at birth. Either way, they

are marked by these circumstances as

different and destined for greatness.

Unusual Circumstances of Birth

Simba’s birth…

Sometimes the circumstances are traumatic that force the hero to leave, as with Simba in The Lion King. His father is murdered by Scar, which leaves our little hero helpless and forces him to leave his kingdom. Have no fear, however, heroes always return to their land.

Hero leaves his family or land and lives with others

Called to a Quest or Adventure

Special Weapon of the Hero

• You can't be a hero without a cool weapon, right? It's true. In most hero stories, the hero has a special weapon, often one that only he can use.

Luke uses a light saber, an outdated weapon of the Jedi Knights, in Star Wars. Here's Luke testing the light saber Ben has just given him. The saber belonged to Luke's father. Only a Jedi can master this weapon.

]Supernatural Help

• Heroes always seem to receive some sort of supernatural help, whether it be from a god, a wizard, or a spirit.

Luke in Star Wars gets help from Ben even after Ben is slain by Darth Vader. Here is Ben healing Luke after Luke has been attacked by the Sand People. Ben teaches Luke about the Force and later guides him from the spirit world.

Hero Is Tested

• A hero just can't claim he's a hero and assume his position, now can he? The hero must prove to himself and others that he is the true hero. For instance, Moses performs many miracles to free his people from Egypt as well as help them survive the desert and reach Canaan.

The Journey to Hell or Unhealable Wound

• He experiences many things on this quest, among which is a descent into a kind of "hell." In this hell he experiences a low point in his life that leaves him scarred forever with a real or psychological wound that will not heal. Sometimes this moment is called “The Belly of the Whale.” The hero learns much about himself and usually matures greatly from the experience.

Atonement with Father

• Atonement means to offer payment for a wrongdoing. Very often, heroes must avenge a father or make up for the father's evil.

• William Wallace and ghost of his father

• Moses and Yahweh

• Simba's father, the spirit of Mumfasa

Luke's ultimate quest is rescuing his father from the evil of the Dark Side. Here, Luke consoles his dying father after his father saves Luke and atones for his own past by killing the Emperor, the leader of the Empire.

Luke chooses to be good,

the opposite of what the father chose, and therefore atones for the father's sins.

Return & Reward of the Hero

After the hero's journeys are over, he returns to tell what he’s learned on his journey. The hero is rewarded in some way. Normally, the hero achieves a life of bliss. If he dies then he is spiritually rewarded.

Here's the painting from the Sistine Chapel showing Moses' life. He's in two places in this shot, one on the left praying, and again on the right in blue being carried to heaven by angels. Even though he didn't get into the Promised Land, Moses' service to Yahweh gained him spiritual reward of heaven.

• Here's Obi-Wan, Yoda, and Anakin Skywalker in spirit form. They all were Jedi Knights and are now rewarded spiritually for being on the Good Side of the Force, implying that a Jedi like Luke will be rewarded when his body dies.

Recap… Common Hero Characteristics

• Unusual circumstances of birth; sometimes in danger or born into royalty

• Leaves family or land and lives with others • An event, sometimes traumatic, leads to calling or adventure • Hero has a special weapon only he can use • Hero always has supernatural help • The Hero must prove himself with tests while on adventure • Journey to Hell or Unhealable Wound • Hero experiences atonement with the father • The hero returns or dies, he is rewarded

The End…