Journal Prompt: Which would you choose? An easy life of security, doing basically whatever you want, but nothing dangerous, and living to an old age? Or a life of risk, adventure, and danger, but you would not live beyond 50 years old? Why?

Warm-Up: “There were many paths that led up to the mountains, and many passes over them. But most of the paths were cheats and deceptions and led nowhere or to bad ends…The dwarves and the hobbit, helped by the wise advice of Elrond and the knowledge and memory of Gandalf, took the right road to the right pass” (55). How does this quotation connect to or represent the Christian life?

An Archetypal Story

What Do Luke Skywalker, Simba, Harry Potter, King Arthur, Moses, Wonder Woman, Rocky, Men in Black, & Optimus Prime all have in common?

ANSWER: They are all Archetypal Heroes

But what is an Archetype? And what does it have to do with Heroes?

Archetype: A pattern, such as a type of character or type of story, that is repeated in literature.

Examples of archetypes: _____________ - Snow White, Cinderella, Rampuzel, princess stories _____________ - Mufasa from Lion King, Father in the Biblical story of the Prodigal Son, Hrothgar __________ - Ursala from Little Mermaid, Sirens from The Odyssey ___________ - Obi Wan Kinobi, Gandalf, Yoda, Dumbledore ___________ - Beowulf, Superman, Batman, Luke Skywalker, Jesus, Harry Potter

Examples of archetypes: Damsel in Distress - Snow White, Cinderella, Rampuzel, princess stories The Father Figure - Mufasa from Lion King, Father in the Biblical story of the Prodigal Son, Hrothgar The Fatal Woman or Temptress - Ursala from Little Mermaid, Sirens from The Odyssey The Guide - Obi Wan Kinobe, Gandalf, Yoda, Dumbledore The Hero - Beowulf, Superman, Batman, Luke Skywalker, Jesus, Harry Potter

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. Campbell called this archetype a Monomyth.

The function of the story is to entertain, to instruct, and to inspire. The hero’s journey is a metaphor for life itself.

Common Mythic Elements Like the inevitable chase scene in action films, the monomyth contains some standard features. Brainstorm: a list of common elements that you see in most movies, books, comics, stories, etc. Try to find patterns. What types of characters or plot seem common to most stories?

1. The Young Hero who yearns for adventure.

2. Two worlds: The Mundane And the Fantastic

3. The Mentor who trains the hero in special skills.

4. The Oracle A wise - almost omniscient - seer who guides the hero.

5. The Prophecy A legend or ancient prophecy that the hero is expected to fulfill.

6. Failed Hero The guy who didn’t make it…

7. Wearing the Enemy’s Skin The hero must disguise himself as the enemy.

8. 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)

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.” Jitterbug Fantasia. 20 Sept Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces. New York: Mythos Books, Vogler, Christopher. “The Writer’s Journey.” Michael Weiss Productions. 20 Sept

Written and produced by Mollie Kelleher MMII 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