The Hero's Journey An Archetypal Story

Archetype: A pattern, such as a type of character or type of story, that is repeated in literature.

The hero’s journey is one of the oldest story archetypes on the planet.

Some say it’s older than the Pyramids…

And Stonehenge…

And even cave drawings. (Vogler)

The components of the hero’s journey were identified and developed by Joseph Campbell, who was the world’s foremost authority on mythology.

In his book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Campbell asserted that all storytelling follows the ancient patterns of myth, and …

…that all stories use elements of the Hero’s Journey …that all stories use elements of the Hero’s Journey. Campbell called this archetype a Monomyth.

George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, consulted with Campbell while writing the scripts for the first Star Wars trilogy.

The function of the story is to entertain, to instruct, and to inspire. The hero’s journey is a metaphor for life itself.

Part I: Departure

Breaking away from the old life

The hero is invited to leave a mundane life and seek adventure. A. The Call to Adventure The hero is invited to leave a mundane life and seek adventure.

Odysseus is called to fight the Trojan War

Pinocchio wants to become a real boy.

Dorothy wants to leave Kansas.

The hero has second thoughts; adventure looks too risky. B. The Refusal of the Call The hero has second thoughts; adventure looks too risky.

Dorothy runs back to the farm and Auntie Em. A storm is brewing.

Luke Skywalker doesn’t have time for the adventure - he has to help his Uncle Owen on the moisture farm.

C. Supernatural Aid The hero receives a gift to help on the journey.

The ruby slippers

A conscience

Luke receives his lightsaber from Obi-Wan Kenobi.

D. Crossing the First Threshold The hero leaves the old world behind and enters the new.

Dorothy is carried away to Oz by the tornado.

Luke Skywalker leaves his home on Tatooine.

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.

For some, the belly of the whale experience is a situation in which the hero feels trapped. Luke, Han, and Leia trapped in the garbage compactor.

Luke Skywalker trains with Yoda in a whale-like house.

While on Yoda’s planet of Dagobah, Luke enters a whale-like cave and must face his own potential for evil, which is personified by Darth Vader.

The message is that we all have a shadow self and must deal with it at some point in our lives.

Part II Initiation

During the “Initiation” phase, the hero learns how to live in the new world.

A. The Road of Trials A series of tests, tasks, or ordeals (often in sets of three) that the hero must undergo to begin the transformation. In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy must first navigate the dangers of the Yellow Brick Road before she can get to her ultimate goal.

B. Meeting with the Goddess A wise or magical woman gives guidance or advice to the hero.

C. Temptation Someone or something tempts the hero to leave the “true path” to his goal. Luke is tempted by the Dark Side of the Force; Frodo is tempted to keep the ring for himself; Circe the witch tries to keep Odysseus on her island.

D. Atonement with the Father The hero resolves his/her issues with a “parent figure.” This often comes in the form of the hero confronting and dealing with a personal demon.

(from Greek roots meaning “from God”) E. Apotheosis (from Greek roots meaning “from God”) The hero recognizes his/her true identity - that spark of divinity within. The hero becomes “godlike” by performing a miracle or accomplishing something no one thought possible.

I am a Jedi, like my father before me!

No!

But you’ve always had the power to go home!

F. The Ultimate Boon The hero succeeds in his/her mission. Dorothy returns to Emerald City with the witch’s broom.

Luke destroys the Death Star. F. The Ultimate Boon The hero succeeds in his mission. Luke destroys the Death Star.

Part III. The Return

A. Refusal of Return The hero wonders if it’s possible to return to the old life now that so much has changed. “How can I go back?”

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.)

There’s no place like home.

C. Rescue from Without The hero escapes with a little outside help.

“Deus ex Machina” (God in a machine) “Dodge this!”

D. Crossing the Return Threshold Finally, the hero returns to “Kansas.”

E. Mastery of Two Worlds The hero has resolved both the internal and the external conflicts. S/he is wiser and more confident. The hero realizes that s/he can be at home in two worlds.

F. Freedom to Live Having faced evil - both from within and without - the hero is free from powerlessness and fear.

Common Mythic Elements Like the inevitable chase scene in action films, this monomyth contains some standard features.

The Young Hero who yearns for adventure.

Two worlds: The Mundane And the Fantastic

The Mentor who trains the hero in special skills.

The Oracle A wise - almost omniscient - seer who guides the hero.

Failed Hero The guy who didn’t make it. In Memory of Biggs Darklighter

The Shape Shifter An archetypal friend or enemy with ambiguous or shifting loyalties.

The Prophecy A legend or ancient prophecy that the hero is expected to fulfill.

Wearing the Enemy’s Skin The hero must disguise himself as the enemy.

Why? The monomyth of the hero’s journey helps us answer the most profound questions of the universe.

Why… … am I here? …is there suffering? What… …is the meaning of life?

Profound: from the Latin “profundus,” meaning “just before the bottom” or “at the edge of death.” (Brennan)

“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.” (Brennan)

the world a better place. We are all heroes on our separate journeys and our mission is to make the world a better place.

References Brennan, Kristen. “Star Wars Origins.” 1999-2001. Jitterbug Fantasia. <http://www.jitterbug.com/ orgins/myth.html> 20 Sept. 2002. Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces. New York: Mythos Books, 1949. Vogler, Christopher. “The Writer’s Journey.” 2002. Michael Weiss Productions. <http://www.mwp.com /pages/bookswritourmore.html> 20 Sept. 2002.

Written & performed by Mark Knopfler Written and produced by Mollie Kelleher Teacher of English Longmont High School St. Vrain Valley School District Adapted and edited by Steve Porentas Teacher of English Bear Creek High School Jefferson County School District “What it Is” Written & performed by Mark Knopfler MMII

“Follow your bliss.” - Joseph Campbell