Joseph Campbell’s Theory of Monomyth and the Heroic Cycle

American mythologist, writer and lecturer Best known for his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces, which created the term Monomyth and outlined the Heroic Cycle. Explained the Functions of Myth Explained the Evolution of Myth

The idea that heroic myths from all human cultures follow the same pattern, known as the Heroic Cycle.

The pattern that all hero stories follow. Joseph Campbell outlined 17 steps in the cycle, we will simplify and show 11 steps.

Awakening a sense of awe before the mystery of being In other words, myths allow us to move beyond reason so that we can experience a greater religious or spiritual connection to the world around us.

Explain the shape of the universe Explain the unexplainable: How was the world created? What are all the shiny things in the sky? Why do the seasons change? What happens when we die?

Validate and support the existing social order Ancient societies had to conform to an existing social order, or they would die. Mythology confirmed that order and enforced it by reflecting it into the stories themselves, often describing how the order arrived from divine intervention. Example: Many monarchs were considered to be ordained by a higher power, if not part god themselves.

Guide the individual through the stages of life Most ancient cultures used rites of passage as a youth passed to the adult stage