Archetype: A pattern, such as a type of character or type of
story, that is repeated in literature.
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The heros journey is one of the oldest story archetypes on the
planet.
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Some say its older than the Pyramids
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and Stonehenge
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and even cave drawings.
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The components of the heros journey were identified and
developed by Joseph Campbell, who was the worlds foremost authority
on mythology.
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In his book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Campbell asserted
that all storytelling follows the ancient patterns of myth,
and
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that all stories use elements of the Heros Journey. Campbell
called this archetype a Monomyth.
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George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, consulted with Campbell
while writing the scripts for the first Star Wars trilogy.
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The function of the story is to entertain, to instruct, and to
inspire. The heros journey is a metaphor for life itself.
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Part I: Separation Breaking away from the old life
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A. The Call to Adventure The hero is compelled to leave a
mundane life and seek adventure or begin a quest for something
specific.
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Odysseus is called to fight in the Trojan War
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Pinocchio wants to become a real boy.
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Dorothy wants to leave Kansas.
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The Refusal of the Call B. The hero has second thoughts;
adventure looks too risky.
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Dorothy runs back to the farm and Auntie Em. A storm is
brewing.
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Harry rebels after the death of Sirius
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Acceptance of the Call The hero finally accedes, realizing that
there is nobody else who is better qualified to or available to
accept responsibility.
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The hero receives a gift to help on the journey. C.
Supernatural Aid
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The ruby slippers
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A conscience
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D. Crossing the First Threshold The hero leaves the old world
behind and enters the new.
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Dorothy is carried away to Oz by the tornado.
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E. The Belly of the Whale Like Jonah and Pinocchio, the hero
experiences the dark night of the soul and must face his faults and
the truth about his own flaws.
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For some, the belly of the whale experience is a situation in
which the hero enters a physical zone of danger.
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The message is that we all have a shadow self and must deal
with it at some point in our lives.
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Part II Initiation
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During the Initiation phase, the hero learns how to live in the
new world.
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A. The Road of Trials The hero learns that life in the world of
adventure can be difficult.
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B. Meeting with the Goddess A wise or magical woman gives
guidance or advice to the hero.
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C. Woman as Temptress Someone or something tries to distract
the hero from the goal.
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D. Atonement with the Father The hero may come up against a
'father figure' who must be beaten, persuaded, or whose approval
must be achieved in some way. Ultimately, by whatever means, the
difficult relationship between the two must be reconciled.
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E. Apotheosis (from Greek roots meaning from God) The hero
recognizes his/her true identity - that spark of divinity
within.
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But youve always had the power to go home!
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F. The Ultimate Boon The hero succeeds in his/her mission.
Dorothy returns to Emerald City with the witchs broom.
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Part III. The Return
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A. Refusal of Return The hero wonders if its possible to return
to the old life. How can I go back?
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B. Magic Flight Upon deciding to return home, the hero must
flee from yet another danger. (Here, flight refers to fleeing, not
flying, though sometimes flying is involved.)
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Theres no place like home.
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C. Rescue from Without The hero escapes with a little outside
help.
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D. Crossing the Return Threshold Finally, the hero returns to
Kansas.
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E. Mastery of Two Worlds The hero realizes that he can be at
home in two worlds. He is wiser and more confident.
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F. Freedom to Live Having faced evil - both from within and
without - the hero is free from powerlessness and fear.
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Common Mythic Elements Like the inevitable chase scene in
action films, the monomyth contains some standard features.
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The Young Hero who yearns for adventure.
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Two worlds: The Mundane And the Fantastic
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The Mentor who trains the hero in special skills.
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The Oracle A wise - sometimes omniscient - seer who guides the
hero.
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The Prophecy A legend or ancient prophecy that the hero is
expected to fulfill.
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Failed Hero The guy who didnt make it.
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Wearing the Enemys Skin The hero must disguise himself as the
enemy.
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The Shape Shifter An archetypal friend or enemy with ambiguous
or shifting loyalties.
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Why? The monomyth of the heros journey helps us answer the most
profound questions of the universe.
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Why am I here? is there suffering? What is the meaning of
life?
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Profound: from the Latin profundus, meaning just before the
bottom or at the edge of death.
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A hero is someone who reaches the edge of death, steals a piece
of magic, then brings the magic home to share with his
community.
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We are all heroes on our separate journeys and our mission is
to make the world a better place.
