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: Separation

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

Katniss volunteers to go to the Hunger Games

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

Katniss’ Bow and Arrow

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.

Frodo leaves the Shire

Harry Potter takes the Hogwarts Express.

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.

This is the low point of the journey, where the hero feels scared and overwhelmed.

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 (dark side) 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 by facing a series of tasks or challenges.

Katniss must survive many trials during the games (including the tracker jackers, the hounds, and the attacks from the other kids).

Indiana Jones must survive a series of tests and traps in order to get to the Holy Grail.

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

C. Battle with the Dragon The hero must confront and vanquish a malevolent being.

D. Temptation Someone or something tries to distract the hero from his goal. This is often love, money, or the comfort of going home and abandoning the goal.

Princess Leia is sometimes a distraction to both Luke and Han. Frodo tries to rid himself of the burden of the ring.

Katniss is distracted, because of her feelings for Peeta and the care she gives him.

E. Atonement with the Father The hero resolves his/her issues with a parent figure.

Simba realizes he is not responsible for his father’s death and he must make his father proud.

(from Greek roots meaning “from God”) F. Apotheosis (from Greek roots meaning “from God”) The hero recognizes his/her true identity - that spark of divinity within.

I am a Jedi, like my father before me!

No!

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

G. 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. Frodo destroys the ring.

Simba defeats scar and returns order to the kingdom.

Part III. The Return

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

Luke stays with the rebels rather than returning to Tattoine.

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.)

Austin Powers and James Bond always escape just before the bad guy’s hideout self-destructs.

Indiana Jones still faces many traps, even after he retrieves the treasure.

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

Frodo and Sam rescued from the slopes of Mordor by giant eagle.

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

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

Frodo returns to the Shire Katniss returns to District 12

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

Simba becomes King over all creatures. Katniss is champion of the games and a hero to her community

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

Scar is defeated and Simba is free to raise his own family in peace. The death star has been destroyed and the universe is free from danger.

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.

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.

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 Matthew Opal Teacher of English Silver Creek High School St. Vrain Valley School District “What it Is” Written & performed by Mark Knopfler MMII

“Follow your bliss.” - Joseph Campbell