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

A. The Call to Adventure The hero is compelled to leave a mundane life and seek adventure or begin a quest for something specific.

Odysseus is called to fight the Trojan War

Pinocchio wants to become a real boy.

Dorothy wants to leave Kansas.

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

C. Acceptance of the Call The hero finally accedes, realizing that there is nobody else who is better qualified to or available to accept responsibility.

The ruby slippers

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

Dorothy is carried away to Oz by the tornado.

F. 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 about his own flaws.

For some, the belly of the whale experience is a situation in which the hero enters a physical zone of danger.

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 The hero learns that life in the world of adventure can be difficult.

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

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

Part III. The Return

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.

Finally, the hero returns to “Kansas.”

E. Mastery of Two Worlds The hero realizes that he can be at home in two worlds. He is wiser and more confident.

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, the 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.

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

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

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

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

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.

“Follow your bliss.” - Joseph Campbell