The Path of the Mythic Hero Inspired by the works of Joseph Campbell Please follow along carefully and take accurate notes!

What is a hero? Different cultures identify heroic qualities differently. What images spring to mind when you hear the word “hero”?

In some ways, they are all heroes. Some perform brave acts Some follow a certain pattern, known as the PATH OF THE MYTHIC HERO

Who first recorded The Heroic Path? This heroic pattern was recorded by a scholar named Joseph Campbell His book, The Hero with A Thousand Faces illustrates this path

What types of characters follow the path? All types of characters follow it-some are ancient, like Hercules, Perseus, and Beowulf Other heroic characters are modern, like Superman, Spiderman, Batman, Nemo, Neo, Wonder Woman, Dorothy (from the wizard of Oz), Harry Potter, Aladdin, Simba, Luke Skywalker, and many others

How can I tell if a character follows the Heroic Path? The best way to tell is to see if you can identify the individual steps that Joseph Campbell mentioned in his book. According to Campbell, the Heroic Path had three main PHASES:

The Heroic Phases Phase One- The Departure Phase Phase Two- The Initiation Phase Phase Three- The Return Phase

Each phase has individual elements or steps. If a character follows the phases and demonstrates many of the elements, he or she may be considered a hero HOWEVER-The phases and elements may occur out of order and not every step has to be fulfilled.

Phase One: The Departure Phase

Step/Element 1- Mysterious or Noble Origins The hero will often be the child of a god, a goddess, a king or queen, or someone powerful.  A heroic child may also be abandoned, partially or completely orphaned shortly after birth.

Who were the parents of these characters and what happened to them?

What do they all have in common with regard to their parents?

Step/Element 2- Foreshadowing of Destiny Sometimes hints are dropped that the hero will achieve greatness.  This can take the form of an oracle or prophecy

“With great power comes great responsibility” The One!

Step/Element 3-The Call to Adventure A dramatic or sudden change in the hero’s life sets him\her on the path of adventure.

Step/Element 4- Refusal of the Call The hero attempts to remain ordinary. He/she may also refuse to accept that he/she has a heroic destiny.

Step/Element 5-Supernatural Aid The hero will often get help from supernatural forces. These usually appear as protective figures, often as an old man or woman. They usually give the hero armor, gifts, weapons and\or advice.

Step/Element 6-The Crossing of the First Threshold This is the hero’s first step into the unexplored, the unknown, the new world. This is when the hero’s life first begins to change.

Step/Element 7- The Belly of the Whale The hero is swallowed into the unknown, is completely surrounded by danger, and/or can sometimes take on the appearance of being dead. A trip to the underworld (the land of the dead) is common for many heroes

Phase Two: The Initiation Phase

Step/Element 1-The Road of Trials The hero must pass through a succession of trials, often being aided by the advice and powers of supernatural agents This step may involve fighting monsters, defeating villains, completing tasks, and overcoming challenges

Step/Element 2-The Meeting with the Queen or the Goddess This step is often represented as a meeting of the hero and a powerful female. If the hero is a female, she will often meet a powerful male figure

Step/Element 3-Atonement with the Father Atonement=satisfaction or reparation for a wrong or injury; amends. At some point, the hero often comes to grips with his relationship to his/her father or dominant male figure. A reunion with a father or father figure may also take place

Step/Element 4-The Ultimate Boon This is also called The Greatest Gift phase. It usually takes place when the hero reaches the object of his journey.  In this step, the hero gets whatever he/she was after. Sometimes, this boon, gift, or reward is involved with immortality.

Phase Three: The Return Phase

Step/Element 1- Refusal of the Return The hero or adventurer, having acquired his goal, does not wish to begin the journey home. The hero has often developed a taste for adventure and does not wish to live an ordinary life

Step/Element 2- Magic Flight The hero often has an unusual method of transportation. This sometimes involves flying. This step often happens during Phase Two (The Initiation Phase)

Step/Element 3- Rescue From Without Sometimes an unexpected outside source helps the hero in his quest and\or return. This may happen at any point in the story!

Step/Element 4- The Crossing of the Return Threshold The hero begins to enter the normal world again This is the counterpart to the “Crossing of the First Threshold” Step

Step/Element 5- Freedom to Live The hero has a successful return and freedom of some kind is granted The hero may have gained additional privileges or freedoms. The hero may have gained wealth or power The hero may have made a social gain, such as friends or marriage.

The End! Be on the lookout for HEROES everywhere!