The Hero’s Journey

The Path to Discovery

Hero’s JourneyJ. Campbell: A Hero with a Thousand FacesBasic pattern in narratives around the worldUniversal pattern

Important myths which have survived for thousands of years all share the same

basic structure/stagesA.K.A “Monomyths”Include ‘archetypes’

generic, idealized model of a person, object, or concept from which similar instances are derived, copied, patterned. A bit like a stereotype, but more complex.

Separation & Call to Adventure

Separation: Hero dragged from the comforts of home to experience growth and change.The Call: realization of imbalance or injustice in the hero’s life that invites him into the adventure, the unknown.

Obstacles interfere with or delay the start of the journey.

can be literal (physical barriers, people) or figurative (fears/doubts). the hero may resist the journeyeventually compelled to go

Supernatural Aid/Talisman:Hero receives helpful tool

Threshold

the jumping off point for the adventure; point between known and unknown.

Can take the form of:a physical barrier being crosseda figurative barrier an emotional barrier

facing someone’s death

“Belly of the Whale” face own fears and weaknessesalone, isolated, unsure of next stepconfront our Shadow Self

Part of us we doubt or that keeps us from being the better version of ourselves

Challenges: The Road of Trials

obstacles/difficult experiences that test the hero. The hero emerges stronger from each challenge.HELPERS: support hero along the way; are not present during the final battle

Challenges (cont.):Mentor: guide keeps

hero focused on goal. Helps hero with skills Must die or leave so that hero can face biggest challenge alone.

The Abyss / The Great OrdealGreatest challenge of the journey where one must "slay the dragon”“Underworld/Hell”: death is experiencedCan be literal or figurative (or combo)

Transformation / ResurrectionHero changed by the journey

Symbolic: old self dies; new self rebornApotheosis: hero recognizes own power

Boon: the goal of the quest is obtainedMagic Flight: hero may have to escape with and have outside rescue

The Return & Sharing the Gift (Elixir)

Hero may initially resist/refuse returningHero eventually returns and contributes to society

shares wisdom or a “prize” gained The hero is immortalized