Biographical Information  Long Long Ago, there was this guy…

This Guy… Joseph Campbell

Biographical Information  Campbell was famous for his expertise in myths and comparative religion.

Biographical Information  Campbell was famous for his expertise in myths and comparative religion.  As he looked at different religions, he realized something -

Biographical Information  Campbell was famous for his expertise in myths and comparative religion.  As he looked at different religions, he realized something – they all had A LOT of similarities!

Biographical Information  Campbell was famous for his expertise in myths and comparative religion.  As he looked at different religions, he realized something – they all had A LOT of similarities!  He called this the monomyth

Biographical Information  Campbell was famous for his expertise in myths and comparative religion.  As he looked at different religions, he realized something – they all had A LOT of similarities!  He called this the monomyth Mono = “one”

Biographical Information  “Monomyth” is a fancy way of saying that Campbell saw a lot of similarities among all of the myths.

Biographical Information  “Monomyth” is a fancy way of saying that Campbell saw a lot of similarities among all of the myths.  Flood myths, city destructions, and most importantly…

Biographical Information  “Monomyth” is a fancy way of saying that Campbell saw a lot of similarities among all of the myths.  Flood myths, city destructions, and most importantly…  The Heroes!!

Biographical Information  This is called “The Hero’s Journey”

Biographical Information  This is called “The Hero’s Journey”  All societies had similar heroes who undergo similar challenges. They follow a familiar path – This is the Hero’s Journey.

The Hero’s Journey  Step One: The Unusual Birth

The Hero’s Journey  Step One: The Unusual Birth  Our heroes are usually born to royalty, gods, or some other unusual origin.

The Hero’s Journey  Step One: The Unusual Birth  Our heroes are usually born to royalty, gods, or some other unusual origin.  This can even be “born in an unusual place”!

The Hero’s Journey  Step One: The Unusual Birth  Our heroes are usually born to royalty, gods, or some other unusual origin.  This can even be “born in an unusual place”!  There is something atypical (not normal) about this hero from birth!

The Hero’s Journey  The Unusual Birth:

The Hero’s Journey  The Unusual Birth:  Simba was born a Prince

The Hero’s Journey  The Unusual Birth:  Simba was born a Prince  Luke was born of a Jedi

The Hero’s Journey  The Unusual Birth:  Simba was born a Prince  Luke was born of a Jedi  Neo is an AWESOME computer programmer

The Hero’s Journey  The Unusual Birth:  Simba was born a Prince  Luke was born of a Jedi  Neo is an AWESOME computer programmer

The Hero’s Journey  Step Two: Leaves Family.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Two: Leaves Family. Our Heroes are NEVER raised by the people who gave birth to them.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Two: Leaves Family. Our Heroes are NEVER raised by the people who gave birth to them. This is rarely by choice – our heroes have a birthright that is denied to them, and they have to EARN IT.

The Hero’s Journey  Luke is raised by his Aunt and Uncle

The Hero’s Journey  Luke is raised by his Aunt and Uncle  Simba lives with Timon and Poombah

The Hero’s Journey  Luke is raised by his Aunt and Uncle  Simba lives with Timon and Poombah  King Arthur is raised by Merlin

The Hero’s Journey  Luke is raised by his Aunt and Uncle  Simba lives with Timon and Poombah  King Arthur is raised by Merlin  And Moses is raised by the Pharoah’s daughter.

The Hero’s Journey  Luke is raised by his Aunt and Uncle  Simba lives with Timon and Poombah  King Arthur is raised by Merlin  And Moses is raised by the Pharoah’s daughter.  This can all be called “the ordinary world”

The Hero’s Journey  The Ordinary World.

The Hero’s Journey  The Ordinary World.  This exists, Campbell felt, so that readers and listeners could sympathize with the hero BEFORE we learn he/she is this big super-star.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Three: The Call To Adventure.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Three: The Call To Adventure. This is the point where something shakes up the status quo – a change occurs, often outside of the hero’s control.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Three: The Call To Adventure. This is the point where something shakes up the status quo – a change occurs, often outside of the hero’s control. Luke lives on his Uncle’s farm, and two droids show up, leading him to Obi-Wan Kenobi.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Three: The Call To Adventure. This is the point where something shakes up the status quo – a change occurs, often outside of the hero’s control. Luke lives on his Uncle’s farm, and two droids show up, leading him to Obi-Wan Kenobi. Or Simba’s father is murdered…

The Hero’s Journey  Step Four: Refusal of the Call.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Four: Refusal of the Call. Even if the hero knows something is not quite right (“I just don’t fit in”), the hero often refuses this change.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Four: Refusal of the Call. Even if the hero knows something is not quite right (“I just don’t fit in”), the hero often refuses this change. Simba tries to live a perfect, happy, and care-free life in the jungle with his friends.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Four: Refusal of the Call. Even if the hero knows something is not quite right (“I just don’t fit in”), the hero often refuses this change. Simba tries to live a perfect, happy, and care-free life in the jungle with his friends. Danger lies ahead – and it’s a hard journey. The hero doubts he could change anything, or sees the work as “not his place”.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Five: The Mentor.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Five: The Mentor.  This meeting sets up the journey ahead.

Who’s this guy?

The Hero’s Journey  Step Five: The Mentor.  This meeting sets up the journey ahead.  The mentor, or “old wise man” is the one who spurs the hero on. Maybe he informs the hero of his “special” nature, or maybe gives him the confidence to go on the mission…

The Hero’s Journey  Step Five: The Mentor.  This meeting sets up the journey ahead.  The mentor, or “old wise man” is the one who spurs the hero on. Maybe he informs the hero of his “special” nature, or maybe gives him the confidence to go on the mission…  From the mentor, the hero might get training, wisdom, or equipment to help on the journey.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Five: The Mentor. Sometimes…the mentor is “within” – the hero might reach within for a source of courage or wisdom for the journey.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Six: Crossing the Threshold.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Six: Crossing the Threshold.  In movie terms, this is the end of Act One.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Six: Crossing the Threshold.  In movie terms, this is the end of Act One.  The hero commits to leaving the “ordinary” world behind, entering a new region or conditions with new/unfamiliar rules and values.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Seven: Tests, Allies, and Enemies.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Seven: Tests, Allies, and Enemies.  The struggles in getting bigger, stronger, and faster.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Seven: Tests, Allies, and Enemies.  The struggles in getting bigger, stronger, and faster.  Lukes training is an excellent example.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Seven: Tests, Allies, and Enemies.  The struggles in getting bigger, stronger, and faster.  Lukes training is an excellent example.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Seven: Tests, Allies, and Enemies.  The struggles in getting bigger, stronger, and faster.  Lukes training is an excellent example.  The allies and enemies for the journey.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Eight: The Approach.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Eight: The Approach.  There’s some big central problem…the REASON for the hero’s journey.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Eight: The Approach.  There’s some big central problem…the REASON for the hero’s journey.  Saving the Princess.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Eight: The Approach.  There’s some big central problem…the REASON for the hero’s journey.  Saving the Princess.  Getting rid of the Evil Uncle.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Eight: The Approach.  There’s some big central problem…the REASON for the hero’s journey.  Saving the Princess.  Getting rid of the Evil Uncle.  Getting back to Kansas.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Eight: The Approach.  There’s some big central problem…the REASON for the hero’s journey.  “The Approach” is the hero and his newfound allies preparing for the major challenge in the Special World.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Nine: The Ordeal.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Nine: The Ordeal.  This is usually near the middle of the story – in the middle of Act 2.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Nine: The Ordeal.  This is usually near the middle of the story – in the middle of Act 2.  The hero enters a central space in the Special World and confronts death…

The Hero’s Journey  Step Nine: The Ordeal.  This is usually near the middle of the story – in the middle of Act 2.  The hero enters a central space in the Special World and confronts death…  Or faces his/her greatest fear.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Nine: The Ordeal.  This is usually near the middle of the story – in the middle of Act 2.  The hero enters a central space in the Special World and confronts death…  Or faces his/her greatest fear.  Out of the moment of death comes new life!

The Hero’s Journey  Step Ten: The Reward.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Ten: The Reward.  The hero escapes the dark lair…often with losses.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Ten: The Reward.  The hero escapes the dark lair…often with losses.  But he also has possession of some great prize – this might be physical, intellectual, or emotional.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Ten: The Reward.  The hero escapes the dark lair…often with losses.  But he also has possession of some great prize – this might be physical, intellectual, or emotional.  Luke escapes the Death Star…he loses Obi-Wan, but he has the plans for the Death Star, and the resolve to continue the fight!

The Hero’s Journey  Step Ten: The Reward.  There may be a celebration…but there is always the threat of losing this reward – the enemy is not yet vanquished!

The Hero’s Journey  Step Eleven: The Road Back.  Approximately ¾ through the story (end of Act 2).

The Hero’s Journey  Step Eleven: The Road Back.  Approximately ¾ through the story (end of Act 2).  This is the point where the hero is driven to leave the special world, making sure the treasure is brought home.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Eleven: The Road Back.  Approximately ¾ through the story (end of Act 2).  This is the point where the hero is driven to leave the special world, making sure the treasure is brought home.  A chase or a great showdown/fight is often here.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Eleven: The Road Back.  Approximately ¾ through the story (end of Act 2).  This is the point where the hero is driven to leave the special world, making sure the treasure is brought home.  A chase or a great showdown/fight is often here.  This may take MANY forms – the “road back” might take the form of attacking the great evil (see Luke’s attack on the Death Star, or Dorothy’s attack on the Witch).

The Hero’s Journey  Step Twelve: The Resurrection.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Twelve: The Resurrection.  The climax of the story.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Twelve: The Resurrection.  The climax of the story.  The hero is beaten, crushed, nearly dead or lost.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Twelve: The Resurrection.  The climax of the story.  The hero is beaten, crushed, nearly dead or lost.  From what seems like a sure loss, the hero, in this last threshold before arriving home, pulls victory out and saves the day!

The Hero’s Journey  Step Twelve: The Resurrection.  This is often spiritual/emotional as well as physical.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Twelve: The Resurrection.  This is often spiritual/emotional as well as physical.  The hero is “reborn” in some big way and proves him/herself as being greater than a normal human.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Twelve: The Resurrection.  This is often spiritual/emotional as well as physical.  The hero is “reborn” in some big way and proves him/herself as being greater than a normal human.  He/she exists on a higher and more complete level of existence.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Twelve: The Resurrection.  By the hero’s actions here, binaries (good/evil) that were at conflict in the beginning are finally resolved…once and for all!

The Hero’s Journey  Step Thirteen: Return With The Elixir.

The Hero’s Journey  Step Thirteen: Return With The Elixir.  The hero returns home…

The Hero’s Journey  Step Thirteen: Return With The Elixir.  The hero returns home…a now-peaceful home…

The Hero’s Journey  Step Thirteen: Return With The Elixir.  The hero returns home…a now-peaceful home…  Or maybe continues on the journey!

The Hero’s Journey  Step Thirteen: Return With The Elixir.  The hero returns home…a now-peaceful home…  Or maybe continues on the journey!  No matter what, he/she has some element of the treasure (and what makes this hero heroic) that has the power to transform the world just as the hero was transformed remains.

The Hero’s Journey  These primary steps show up EVERYWHERE.

The Hero’s Journey  These primary steps show up EVERYWHERE.  Not necessarily all of them at any time…

The Hero’s Journey  These primary steps show up EVERYWHERE.  Not necessarily all of them at any time…  But many of them exist at once!

The Hero’s Journey  Your Job:

The Hero’s Journey  Your Job:  We will be looking at a series of stories that use the hero’s journey.

The Hero’s Journey  Your Job:  We will be looking at a series of stories that use the hero’s journey.  You will be charting the path the hero takes.

The Hero’s Journey  Your Job:  Jason and the Argonauts

The Hero’s Journey  Your Job:  Jason and the Argonauts  Clash of the Titans

The Hero’s Journey  Your Job:  Jason and the Argonauts  Clash of the Titans  Star Wars

The Hero’s Journey  Your Job:  Jason and the Argonauts  Clash of the Titans  Star Wars  The Odyssey