Background  The Hero’s Journey is the idea that all heroic characters, regardless of the society they come from, share certain qualities and follow a similar path.  We can look at stories from different time periods, different cultures, and different points of view, and identify qualities which unite all of them around a core concept: that there are extraordinary individuals – heroes – who step forward to help others in a time of need.

What It Means  Writer Joseph Campbell (who popularized this format) described The Hero’s Journey like this:  “A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.”  Some people refer to the hero’s journey as a “monomyth.” What do you think that means?

The Necessary Path  There are many different versions of the Hero’s Journey, although all are quite similar in the most important ways.  Some versions add a few steps, use different names, or change the order slightly.  To help you visualize the steps of the Hero’s Journey, the following presentation will use Frodo from The Lord of the Rings as an example.

1. Introduction: An Ordinary World  The story starts with the introduction of the hero in an ordinary, every day setting. By making the hero seem normal, they become more relatable to the audience.  In The Lord of the Rings, Frodo is introduced on an ordinary day in his idyllic homeland, The Shire. Like most Hobbits, Frodo prefers to stay near to home, and there doesn’t seem to be anything exceptional about him.

2. The Call to Adventure  The hero learns that something is deeply wrong in their world, and that they have been called upon to fix this wrong. They must now leave their comfortable life and begin their journey.  Frodo’s call to adventure occurs when the wizard Gandalf tells him that he must journey far from his home, and face many dangers, so that he can destroy the One Ring.

3. Refusal of the Call  The hero expresses fear over what they must do. They doubt that they can accomplish the task.  Frodo fears leaving the Shire and feels that he – a simple Hobbit – lacks the strength to destroy the Ring.

4. Meeting With a Mentor  The hero learns to overcome their fear and doubt with the assistance of a mentor (or mentors). This mentor supports them both emotionally, and by providing training and protection.  Gandalf is a loyal protector to Frodo. Another mentor is Aragorn, who leads Frodo through Middle Earth and warns him of the dangers he will face. His influence helps Frodo to gain confidence and strength, and equips him with the knowledge he needs to complete the journey.

5. Crossing the Threshold  The hero leaves their home behind to begin their journey.  Frodo leaves The Shire and passes into a world completely unknown to him, and highly dangerous.

6. Tests, Allies, and Enemies  As the journey begins, the hero faces many difficult tests. They meet significant enemies – enemies they are not yet able to overcome – yet also meet many allies who help them on their quest. They also may lose their mentor. Sometimes they gain a love interest.  Frodo faces the dangerous Nazgul and Orcs. Gandalf is lost (at least for a time). Yet Frodo gains new friends in Boromir, Gimli, and Legolas. (No love interest for poor Frodo, though .)

7. Approaching the Innermost Cave  After many struggles, the hero faces their most important test, and must fight their greatest foe. (The number of tests depends on the story.)  Frodo is able to escape many dangers, yet as he approaches Mount Doom, he struggles to withstand the temptations of the ring.

8. Surviving the Ordeal  The hero faces the ultimate test – and passes. There are moments where it appears the hero will lose, and death seems like a real possibility. But good wins out in the end. Often, a friend or lover helps the hero to overcome their test.  Frodo is overcome by temptation and appears to give in to the power of the ring. But Sam prevents him from losing himself completely and the ring is destroyed when Gollum claims it as his own.

9. The Reward  Having successfully completed their journey and defeated their foes, the hero is rewarded. The reward depends on the story: it might be treasure, being reunited with their true love, or knowing they have saved their people.  Frodo (and Sam!) can rest assured that their home is now safe, and that the dangers posed by the One Ring are forever ended. They have returned security to their world.

10. The Return Home  The hero returns to their home, having learned many lessons and grown in significant ways.  Frodo returns to The Shire, weaker, but wiser. He is reunited with his loved ones and friends.

11. The Resurrection  Despite their success, the hero is changed in some way. This might be a physical change, an emotional change, or a spiritual one. However, their transformation – even if bittersweet – has come in the service of true heroism.  Frodo is left weakened by his adventures. He must eventually leave The Shire and accompany the Elves, where he can find the peace and health he can no longer enjoy at home.

12. The Elixir of Life  The hero has left his community better in some significant way. Sometimes they endure a final test which shows, for once and for all, their heroism. Sometimes they leave a treasure, or something else of importance, for their people.  When Frodo returns to The Shire, he finds that poor leaders had overtaken it. He is able to drive them out and return stability to the Shire. He also leaves behind The Red Book of Westmarch, a chronicle of his struggles, so that his community will never forget what happened.