The Hero’s Journey

Purpose The Hero's Journey is a great technique for analyzing all kinds of stories myths, legends, films, novels, short stories, plays, or even comic books. 

Quickwrite Topic Are heroes born or are they made? Are there heroes in real-life or must they be larger-than-life? Who are the heroes in our society?

Background Almost all stories with heroes have common patterns No matter what culture or time period, almost all hero-quests involve many of the same steps. These steps are commonly called “The Hero’s Journey”

These Heroes have a lot in Common In Other Words… These Heroes have a lot in Common

Modern Examples Popular Modern Examples George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, found inspiration from the Hero’s Journey  As we explore the different steps of the Hero’s Journey, we will look at its connection with the popular movie series.

Step I.

Ordinary World Step I. Ordinary World- The Light The ordinary world: Heroes exist in a plain world They are often considered odd possibly because of some ability or characteristic that makes them feel out-of-place. Modern Examples: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: Dorothy in Kansas The Hobbit: Bilbo Baggins in The Shire Star Wars: Luke Skywalker on Tatooine The Lion King: Simba at Pride Rock

Step II.

The Call to Adventure Step II The Call to Adventure The call away from the ordinary Most heroes show a reluctance to leave, possibly even doubting themselves Usually there is a discovery, some event, or some danger that starts them on the heroic path. The new world the hero is forced into is much different than the old one. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The tornado The Hobbit: Gandalf the wizard arrives Star Wars: R2D2’s cryptic message Campbell describes this new world as a “fateful region of both treasure and danger…a distant land, a forest, a kingdom underground, beneath the waves, or above the sky, a secret island, lofty mountaintop, or profound dream state…a place of…unimaginable torments, superhuman deeds, and impossible delight”. The Matrix is an example.

Step III.

Refusal of the Call Step III. REFUSAL OF THE CALL Often when the call is given, the hero refuses or hesitates to obey the call. This may come from duty, fear, insecurity, or inadequacy Star Wars: Luke refuses the quest until he learns his aunt and uncle are dead The Lion King: Simba refuses to return to Pride Rock and accept his destiny Groundhog Day: Example of the negative cycle caused by refusing the call At the beginning of The Dark Knight Rises, Batman is hesitant to reclaim his mantle; he wants to remain retired.

Step IV.

Meeting the Mentor and the Talisman Step IV. Meeting the Mentor Once the hero has accepted the call, he is often given a guide This guide often is magical in nature The Hobbit: Gandalf Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi Cinderella: Fairy Godmother The hero may also be given a special item (often magical in nature) This item is called the Talisman The Wizard of Oz: Ruby Slippers The Hobbit: The Ring Star Wars: Lightsaber The Karate Kid? You betcha!

Supernatural Aid/ Guide or Mentor

Guide/ Mentor

Talisman

Your Examples 1 2 3 4 Draw a quarter circle on your page. Plot out the first 4 steps in the Hero’s Journey Using a partner, try to come up with your own modern examples for each step in the Hero’s Journey

Step V.

Step V: Crossing Threshold into Darkness The hero enters a world they have never experienced before This new environment provides test after test for the hero Very often it is filled with wonder and its own unique rules the hero must learn The Wizard of Oz: Dorothy must learn the rules of Oz The Matrix: Neo must come to grips with the realities and unrealities of the Matrix 21 Jump Street- going undercover into a new world Talk about having to learn new rules! From the ordinary world to extraordinary!

Threshold Guardians

Entering the Unknown/ Crossing the First Threshold

Step VI.

Step VI: Tests, Allies, & Enemies A series of tests and tasks Often the hero will fail one or more of these tests Spiderman allowing his Uncle Ben to be killed Mean Girls not sticking up for her real friends Every hero needs a helper, much like every superhero needs a sidekick. These sidekicks often are key to the hero’s success Lord of the Rings: Samwise Gamgee The Wizard of Oz: The Tin Woodsman, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion In Spiderman, the hero must learn to use his powers the correct way, often failing: “With great power, comes great responsibility.”

Allies/ Helpers

Road of Trials/ Tests

Step VII.

Step VII: Innermost Cave (Belly of the Whale) Final separation from the hero’s known world and self. By entering this stage, the person shows their willingness to change by knowingly putting themselves in harm’s way Sometimes can be when the hero is stuck in a life or death situation May include a ritual death Pinocchio- Quite literally! The Hobbit- Frodo meets Gollum The Hunger Games- Rue’s Death Top Gun- Goose’s death Katniss separates herself from her old world and finally plays the game when she kisses Peeta.

Belly of the Whale

Ritual Death

Step VIII.

Step VIII: Ordeal The hero’s progress through temptations, tests and obstacles that make them stronger, preparing them for their final showdown. At long last they reach the Supreme Ordeal, the obstacle they have journeyed so far to overcome. Star Wars: Blowing up the Death Star Lord of the Rings: Mount Doom The Wizard of Oz: Defeating the Wicked Witch Defeating the Wicked Witch provides us with a great example of the hero’s ordeal

Ordeal/ Dragon Battle

Supreme Ordeal

Step IX.

Step IX: Reward (Ultimate Boon) All previous steps prepare the hero for this step The hero finally achieves the goal or completes the quest This may include a gift of the goddess This may also include atonement of the father With completion the hero becomes cool-headed, steady, almost completely changing Star Wars-Luck Skywalker destroys the Deathstar Rocky- Lasts the entire fight with Apollo Creed The ring is finally dropped into the molten fires of Mount Doom

Gift of the Goddess

Ultimate Boon/ Elixir

Atonement with the Father

Step X.

Step X: The Road Back (Rescue From Without) There are still lesser homebound obstacles to overcome. Often weakened or wounded at this stage, the hero needs the help of others to be brought back The Hobbit: Bilbo defeating Smaug but then having to fight in the Battle of Five Armies Indiana Jones: Saving his father, but then having to escape the Nazis Smaug= Ordeal Five Armies= Road Back

Road Back/ Pursuit

Rescue from Without

Your Examples 10 5 6 9 7 3 1 8 Draw a half circle on your page. Plot out the steps the hero takes in the unknown world of darkness Using a partner, try to come up with your own modern examples for each step in the Hero’s Journey Your Examples 10 5 6 9 7 3 1 8

Step XI.

Step XI: Resurrection: Return to Light The hero heals and becomes a Master of 2 Worlds The hero achieves a balance between the material and spiritual, the light and the dark The hero returns able to share wisdom to other human life and his ordinary world Star Wars: Luke becomes a full Jedi-Knight Harry Potter: Harry masters his powers The Odyssey: Odysseus returns home and claims his kingdom Stage XV: Resurrection: Return to Light Luke Skywalker makes a complete metamorphosis

Resurrection/ Return

Master of Two Worlds

Step XII.

Step XII: Return with Elixir (Freedom to Live) The hero no longer fears death; this allows the hero freedom to live The hero now can live in the moment His return brings with it peace to the ordinary world The Wizard of Oz The Hobbit Star Wars Independence Day Stage XII: Return with Elixir (Freedom to Live) The world is saved by the end of Independence Day

Return with Elixir

Freedom to Live

Your Examples 12 11 Draw your other quarter of the circle. Plot out the final 2 steps as the hero returns to ordinary world Using a partner, try to come up with your own modern examples for each step in the Hero’s Journey

Hero’s Journey Board Game!

Hero’s Journey: The Lion King

The Lion King

The Ordinary World Pride Rock

Call to Adventure

Entering the Unknown Crossing

Enemies/Threshold Guardians

Road to Trials/ Tests

Brother Battle

Ritual Death

Refusal of the Call

Allies/ Helpers

Meeting the Goddess

Sacred Marriage

Supernatural Aid/ Guide or Mentor

Supreme Ordeal

Master of 2 Worlds

Freedom to Live

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