The Hero of legend can be viewed as being The Hero of legend can be viewed as being reliant upon an reliant upon an archetypearchetype, or a pre-existing , or a pre-existing model upon which similar things are patternedmodel upon which similar things are patterned– can be patterned can be patterned intentionallyintentionally (Star Wars, Harry (Star Wars, Harry

Potter) or Potter) or unintentionallyunintentionally (LOTR, Greek mythology) (LOTR, Greek mythology)

The Hero’s Journey is made up of a series of The Hero’s Journey is made up of a series of eight stepseight steps contained in contained in three stagesthree stages, a path that , a path that is followed throughout the storyis followed throughout the story– It is It is notnot crucial that these steps all be included in a crucial that these steps all be included in a

story, nor that they occur in this exact sequencestory, nor that they occur in this exact sequence

[Takes notes on hero on the back of your chart][Takes notes on hero on the back of your chart]The usual The usual HeroHero of legend is someone: of legend is someone:– From whom something has been takenFrom whom something has been taken– Who feels that something is lacking in his or her lifeWho feels that something is lacking in his or her life– this journey offers the Hero the opportunity to search this journey offers the Hero the opportunity to search

for for (quest)(quest) and gain something of physical or spiritual and gain something of physical or spiritual value value (grail)(grail)

A grail quest is usually A grail quest is usually notnot about finding a about finding a physicalphysical item item itself – it is about a search for itself – it is about a search for wisdom, fulfillment or wisdom, fulfillment or experienceexperience

Step 1: Step 1: The Call to AdventureThe Call to Adventure– invites the “Hero” into the adventureinvites the “Hero” into the adventure– The “Hero” may choose The “Hero” may choose willinglywillingly to undertake the to undertake the

quest, or may be dragged into it quest, or may be dragged into it unwillingly unwillingly – May be initiated by the appearance of a May be initiated by the appearance of a heraldherald

signals that something important will soon happensignals that something important will soon happen

Step 2:Step 2: Refusal of the Call Refusal of the Call– The “Hero” The “Hero” maymay initially refuse the call to initially refuse the call to

adventureadventureReluctant to jump into the unknown: the devil you Reluctant to jump into the unknown: the devil you know versus the devil you don’t…know versus the devil you don’t…

– Often, a painful, pivotal event occurs which Often, a painful, pivotal event occurs which calls the hero out through a dramatic change calls the hero out through a dramatic change in perspective or destruction of something dearin perspective or destruction of something dear

Step 3: Step 3: Crossing The Threshold [Beginning Crossing The Threshold [Beginning of the Adventure]of the Adventure]– "jumping off point" for the adventure"jumping off point" for the adventure– It is the It is the gatewaygateway between the known and the between the known and the

unknown, a world filled with challenges and dangers.unknown, a world filled with challenges and dangers.

the “Hero” may meet several different types of the “Hero” may meet several different types of characters who may either offer to characters who may either offer to helphelp or try to or try to thwartthwart the Hero the Hero

A single character can take on different A single character can take on different functions at different points in the story.functions at different points in the story.

Take notesTake notes on these 5 kinds of characters on on these 5 kinds of characters on the BACK of the last page of your chart:the BACK of the last page of your chart:

threshold guardiansthreshold guardians– people, beings, or situations which block the people, beings, or situations which block the

“Hero’s” passage, often at the Threshold stage.“Hero’s” passage, often at the Threshold stage.

– can protect the “Hero” by keeping him or her can protect the “Hero” by keeping him or her from taking journeys for which he or she is from taking journeys for which he or she is unready or unpreparedunready or unprepared

helpershelpers– provide assistance or direction to the “Hero”provide assistance or direction to the “Hero”

mentormentor– sage giver of guidance, advicesage giver of guidance, advice– often is lost to the “Hero” at some point in the questoften is lost to the “Hero” at some point in the quest

tempterstempters– try to pull the “Hero” away from his or her pathtry to pull the “Hero” away from his or her pathshapeshiftershapeshifter– helper, tempter or both. May literally change helper, tempter or both. May literally change

shape/form or may merely change personalities or shape/form or may merely change personalities or status or alliances.status or alliances.

Step 4: Step 4: The Road of Trials or ChallengesThe Road of Trials or Challenges– the “Hero” journeys into the unknownthe “Hero” journeys into the unknown– can be outward into a can be outward into a physicalphysical unknown or inward to a unknown or inward to a

psychologicalpsychological unknown unknown– early challenges are relatively easy but become more difficult early challenges are relatively easy but become more difficult

as journey progressesas journey progresses– challenges often strike the “Hero’s” greatest weaknesseschallenges often strike the “Hero’s” greatest weaknesses

Step 5: Step 5: Trials and Challenges: The Final Trials and Challenges: The Final and Worst [The Abyss]and Worst [The Abyss]

– the journey’s the journey’s greatest challengegreatest challenge, faced alone by the , faced alone by the “Hero”: may be an inner conflict“Hero”: may be an inner conflict

– external conflicts are often with the story’s external conflicts are often with the story’s shadowshadow figure, the story’s antagonist.figure, the story’s antagonist.

Step 6: Step 6: Unconditional Love Unconditional Love TransformationTransformation– love or support of mentor or family empowers the love or support of mentor or family empowers the HeroHero

to overcome his doubts and keep goingto overcome his doubts and keep going– the the HeroHero conquers the Abyss and conquers the Abyss and transformationtransformation

becomes complete—physical or emotionalbecomes complete—physical or emotional – final step is a moment of final step is a moment of death and rebirthdeath and rebirth

a part of the a part of the HeroHero dies so that a new part can be born dies so that a new part can be born

Step 7: Step 7: Revelation of the Ultimate BoonRevelation of the Ultimate Boon– the the HeroHero realizes his worth and uses his potential realizes his worth and uses his potential– sudden, dramatic change in the way the sudden, dramatic change in the way the HeroHero thinks thinks

or views lifeor views life– Leads to eventual success with the toughest Leads to eventual success with the toughest

challenge of the journeychallenge of the journey

Step 8: Step 8: The Return to the Known WorldThe Return to the Known World– the return to everyday life, the final stage of the journeythe return to everyday life, the final stage of the journey– essence of the essence of the Hero’sHero’s return is to begin return is to begin contributing to societycontributing to society– saving or renewing society, teaching and enlightening otherssaving or renewing society, teaching and enlightening others

Message may be rejected by society or doubted by Message may be rejected by society or doubted by HeroHeroHeroHero might refuse to return to the “old” way or place of existence might refuse to return to the “old” way or place of existence[see all of page 29 for POSSIBLE features of this stage][see all of page 29 for POSSIBLE features of this stage]