#11 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 hero from 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 a series of challenges that initiates him/her into the Special World

• Assembles helpers and villains that define the Hero

• Encounters physical or personal obstacles 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 to the mission before facing the supreme Ordeal

8) Ordeal• Hero must draw upon all skills and

experiences gained upon the path to confront great opposition.

• Only through “death” can the Hero be 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: a powerful 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 Ordinary World, which he/she may not want to do.

• Despite overcoming Ordeal and receiving 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!