The Hero’s Journey

Jung and Campbell Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell developed the idea of the archetype Archetype: A recurring pattern of images, situations, or symbols found in the mythology, religion, art, and dreams of cultures around the world Joseph Campbell Carl Jung

Archetypes

The Hero Archetype The hero symbolizes important ideals and values of his or her home culture.

Also called the monomyth Hero’s Journey Also called the monomyth

Unusual Birth The hero’s birth is surrounded by unusual circumstances

The call to adventure: The hero is called to leave home and he or she willingly or unwillingly goes

Crossing the threshold: The hero leaves the safe, familiar world of home and enters fully into the new world of the journey.

Mentor/Supernatural Helper: The hero is aided by someone, often old and wise, possibly with magical or mystical power.

Talisman or special weapon The hero has a weapon or protective device given to him or her that will be useful on the journey.

Helpers

Nemesis: The hero faces a main enemy that might be external (such as a monster) or internal (such as guilt)

Trials: The hero has to succeed at a series of trials that challenge and build his or her moral strength and character.

Descent into darkness In this most challenging part of the hero’s journey, he or she must face an emotional or physical battle in a dark place (such as a cave or Hell) of suffering or death. He or she succeeds and emerges changed in some way.

Achievement of goal: Upon successful completion of the trials, the hero achieves the goal of the journey.

Return home: The hero, sometimes willingly and sometimes unwillingly, again crosses the threshold and returns home

Review

*** not as easy as it seems!! Choose your top 3 Science Fiction Fantasy (Classic) Fantasy (Modern) Religion Disney Children’s Book*** Medieval Greek German Japanese DISCLAIMER: *** not as easy as it seems!!