A Questing We Shall Go

The Call The superhuman thing the hero must do to save the world or himself. If the hero knew he had to do this, he would be too afraid to try. Example: William Wallace helped win Scotland’s freedom from England in Braveheart.

The Task The thing the hero THINKS he is going to go do when he sets out on the quest. Example: Frodo thinks he is just going to destroy the ring in Lord of the Rings.

The Herald The person or event that comes along to push the hero out on his quest. Example: R2-D2 comes to tell Luke Skywalker that Princess Leia needs help and he must save her in Star Wars.

The Crossing Over When the hero crossing from the world he/she knows into the strange, weird world of the quest. Really weird things begin to happen when the hero crosses over. Example: The Three-headed Knight in Monty Python’s Quest For the Holy Grail.

The Tests Tests the hero faces have answers or solutions to them just like tests you take. Example: Hero has to figure out how to get out of the Labyrinth.

The Trials Trials the hero faces just have to be endured and the hero can’t do anything about them. Example: bad weather, hunger, injuries, horrible lands, etc.

The Ultimate Battle This is the fight with the biggest, baddest monster/devil/bad guy there is. Example: Darth Vader from Star Wars

The Crossing Back When the hero crosses back into the real world, the world he/she knows and where home is. The hero usually sees something or someone familiar when he crosses back. Example: Wesley returns from the dead to be with Buttercup in Princess Bride.

The Return Home The hero returns home and sometimes home is not where he came from but a new place where he really belongs. Example: all the characters return to their homes or where they belong in Return of the King

The Gifts The hero receives gifts for completing the quest successfully. Sometimes it is real treasure; sometimes it is the kingdom; and sometimes it is knowledge or wisdom. Example: Robin Hood gets to marry Maid Marian in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

The Transformation The hero is changed by the quest. He/She becomes better and sometimes almost superhuman. The change is always for the good. Example: Peter Parker becomes a superhero and accepts the responsibility of being a hero in Spider-Man.