The Hero’s Journey

An archetype:

•  In literature, this is a pattern or model of something--like a character, situation, symbol, or theme--that occurs over and over again, across different time periods and cultures.

The origin of archetypes •  They are the basic building blocks of

stories that all writers use. •  a Swiss psychologist and psychiatrist,

who, along with Joseph Campbell, developed the idea of the archetype, because of what he called “the Collective Unconscious” •  Without communicating with each

other, cultures all around the world have used similar archetypes to build their stories, whether separated geographically or by time

Carl Jung (1875–1961)))

The components of the hero’s journey were identified and developed by Joseph Campbell, who was the world’s foremost authority on mythology.

In his book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Campbell asserts that all storytelling follows similar ancient patterns…

Partner discussion:

• What are some stories that follow a similar ancient pattern?? ▫ Hint: Think of children’s stories, books you’ve read, movies you’ve seen.

…that all hero stories use most of the elements of the Hero’s Journey.

Campbell called this archetype a

Monomyth (because there is basically one pattern for all myths)

Video clip:

• “What makes a hero?” by Matthew Winkler

• Discuss with group after

The function of the story is to entertain, to instruct, and to inspire.

The hero’s journey is a metaphor for life itself.

1. The Call to Adventure •  The hero’s ordinary life is disrupted and

he is presented with a problem, challenge, or adventure to undertake

•  The stakes are established and the hero’s goal is made clear

•  To win the treasure or the lover, to get revenge, to right a wrong, to achieve a dream, confront a challenge, etc.

1a. The Refusal of the Call

•  The hero has second thoughts due to fears or insecurities of leaving his ordinary world

•  And because of the risks involved; he is facing the greatest of all fears—the terror of the unknown

•  Often some other influence, a change in circumstances, or the encouragement of a mentor is required to get him past this fear

1b. Acceptance of the Call

•  The hero realizes that there is nobody else who is better qualified to, or available to, accept responsibility so he finally agrees to the call

•  Once the call to adventure is accepted, the hero advances to the next stage

2. Assistance (aka Supernatural Aid or Meeting with the Mentor) •  The hero usually meets a mentor for

confidence, insight, advice, training, or magical gifts

•  The relationship between hero and mentor is symbolic of the bond between parent and child, teacher and student, or god and man

•  The mentor can only go so far with the hero, then he must face the unknown alone

3. Departure (aka Crossing the Threshold)

•  The hero leaves the ordinary world and enters the special world

•  The special world has its own set of rules that test the hero’s endurance, strength, and temperament

•  This is where the story and adventure really get going

The Call & Departure Examples

•  The Call: The Hero’s Journey by theherocc

•  To 2.50 • Mentors 3.55 • Discuss the parts of the heroes journey exhibited in

clip after

4. Trials •  The Hero progresses

through a series of tests, a set of obstacles that make him stronger, preparing him for his final showdown

•  These scenes allow for character development as we see how the hero (and his companions) react to stress

4a. Woman as Temptress

Someone or something tries to

distract the hero from his goal,

often an alluring female

5. Approach (aka: The Belly of the Whale)

•  The hero arrives at the edge of a dangerous place, where the object of the quest is hidden, and this may even be the headquarters of the hero’s greatest enemy, thus the most dangerous spot in the Special World

•  Heroes often pause at the gate to prepare, plan, and outwit the villain’s guards

•  The Belly of the Whale may be a time for some romance or a few jokes before the battle, or it may signal a ticking clock or a heightening of the stakes.

For some, the belly of the whale experience is a situation in which the hero enters a physical zone of danger.

For others, it is an inner battle that they must overcome instead of an outside danger.

6. Crisis (aka The Supreme Ordeal) •  The fortunes of the hero hit bottom, in a direct confrontation

with his greatest fear •  He faces the possibility of death and is brought to the brink in

a battle with a hostile force •  The hero often dies, or appears to die, and is reborn

•  The Hero is reborn or transformed with the attributes of the Ordinary self in addition to the lessons and insights from the characters he has met along the way.

•  This battle is for much more than the Hero’s life. Other lives, or

an entire world may be at stake and the Hero must no prove that he has achieved Hero status and willingly accept his sacrifice for the benefit of the Ordinary World.

Trials, Approach & Crisis Examples

•  [The Monomyth in Film] The Road of Trials by Dan Priest

•  35 seconds in…

• Discuss the parts of the heroes journey exhibited in clip after

7. Treasure •  The Hero has survived death, overcome his greatest fear,

slain the dragon, or weathered the crisis of the heart, and now earns the reward that he has sought.

•  The Hero’s Reward comes in many forms: a magical sword, an elixir, or greater knowledge or insight.

Dorothy returns to Emerald City with the witch’s broom.

8. Result (aka The Road Back) •  The hero begins to deal with the

consequences of confronting the dark forces

•  The Hero may often need to reconcile with a parent (aka atonement with the father) or a god, or the hostile forces

•  Just because the majority of the adventure has passed doesn’t mean that the return journey will be smooth sailing. There may still be obstacles to overcome

9. Return

•  The hero returns to his ordinary world, bringing with him the treasure

•  The true hero brings back this treasure (whether it is a potion, prize, or knowledge that the hero has gained) to share, often healing a wounded land

10. New life

•  The hero is wiser and more confident, and realizes that he can be at home in both worlds (the Ordinary World and the Special World)

•  The hero has been reborn or transformed with the attributes of the Ordinary World, in addition to the lessons and insights from the characters and trials along the way

11. Resolution

• All of the tangled plot lines are straightened out

Treasure, Result, Return, New Life Examples •  [The Monomyth in Film] The Magic Flight by Dan

Priest

• Discuss the parts of the heroes journey exhibited in clip after

Common mythic elements

• Friends and allies ▫  Hunting group of companions �  loyal group of companions who are willing to face

any number of perils in order to be together ▫  Loyal retainers �  These individuals are somewhat like servants

but are heroic themselves �  Their duty is to protect the hero and reflect the

nobility of the hero

Common mythic elements

• Archetypal hero traits: ▫  Unusual circumstances of birth ▫  Leaves family and is raised by others ▫  Traumatic event leads to quest ▫  Special weapon and/or supernatural/mentor help ▫  Proves himself on a quest ▫  Often receives an unhealable wound (mental/

emotional OR physical) ▫  Atonement with the father

Common mythic elements Other archetypes you may be familiar with:

•  Nature vs the mechanistic world •  The battle between good and evil •  Death and resurrection •  The friendly beast •  The evil figure with an ultimately good heart •  The creature of nightmare •  The scapegoat •  The outcast •  The devil figure •  The damsel in distress •  The unfaithful wife

Where mythology came from… it is early science, early man’s attempts:

•  To explain natural phenomenon such as great floods and the creation of the world

•  To answer such questions such as why we are born and why we die

•  To help us escape reality by entering a world where the good guy wins, the forces of evil are defeated, and love conquers all

•  To help define the roles of good and evil such as the hero and the villain so that we might recognize them in reality