and the Quest Pattern

Brave Trustworthy Honest Good communicator Strong leader Intelligent Confident Inspirational High values Responsible to others Strength Courageous Positive Adventurous Motivated Hopeful Good Role Model Extraordinary Talent Characteristics of a hero:

The answer is as different as you are...

Real-life heroes from history Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it. Martin Luther King Jr.

Real-life heroes from history Houston, Tranquility Base here. The eagle has landed. That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind. Neil Armstrong, Upon landing on the Moon, July 20, 1969

Superheroes I'm here to fight for truth, and justice, and the American way.

Superheroes All women can do wonders if they’re put to the testAll women can do wonders if they’re put to the test. All women can do wonders if they’re put to the test

Real-life heroes from today "Firemen are going to get killed. When they join the department they face that fact. When a man becomes a fireman his greatest act of bravery has been accomplished. What he does after that is all in the line of duty. They were not thinking of getting killed when they went where death lurked. They went there to put the fire out, and got killed. Firefighters do not regard themselves as heroes because they do what the business requires." Edward Croker Source: Chief, FDNY

Real-life heroes from today I have missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot... and missed. And I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why... I succeed. Michael Jordan

Who are your heroes? Father Mother Grandparents Aunt Uncle Friends Real-life heroes from today

In stories or films, what is a hero? A person who has demonstrated courage or has done something particularly noble, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life for the greater good.

In mythology and legend, what is a hero? A man, often of divine ancestry (one or more parents is a god or has special powers) He is endowed with great courage and strength He is celebrated for his bold exploits He is favoured by the gods (ie. Good luck seems to follow him)

Hero can also mean the main male character in a novel, poem, or dramatic presentation. Can the word ‘hero’ mean anything else? Note: The word “hero” is considered to be a gender-neutral term. It is used to refer to admired women as well as men.

 In legends and myths, no matter what country or era they are from, quite often the hero’s story follows a pattern.  That means that a hero story written two thousand years ago in China will be similar to a hero story from Greece and even similar to many hero stories written today.

Birth Fabulous circumstances surrounding conception, birth and childhood mark the hero as ‘different’. Eg. One of the parents is immortal, or the hero comes from “mysterious circumstances”.

Call to Adventure Something big happens so that the hero knows he or she has to do something. Eg. Someone dies and the hero has to avenge the crime, something bad is going to happen and only the hero can stop it.

Helpers/Amulet The hero gets help from someone or something else (eg. a wizard, an old man, a dwarf, a crone, or a fairy godmother). The helper commonly gives the hero a protective amulet (charm worn against evil) or weapon for the journey.

Crossing the Threshold The hero starts on the adventure. Often there is some sort of ordeal or a “threshold” to cross. This shows that the hero is not just some ordinary person. Eg. goes on a journey, crosses an ocean, enters a dream, travels through time etc.

Tests Hero travels through the world of adventure where he must undergo a series of tests. Tests are often violent encounters with monsters, sorcerers, warriors, or forces of nature. Each successful test further proves the hero’s ability and advances the journey towards its climax or ‘final battle.’

Final Battle The critical moment in the hero’s journey. Often a final battle with a monster, wizard or warrior. Final battle allows for resolution of the adventure.

Flight After accomplishing the mission: Hero must return to the threshold of adventure and prepare for a return to the everyday world. The “flight” stage may be quick (because the hero is being chased by something crazy) or relaxed (because nothing is chasing him).

Return Hero again crosses the threshold of adventure and returns to the everyday world Eg. an awakening, a rebirth, a resurrection, or a simple emergence from a cave or forest.

Home Hero comes back from the adventure changed and able to make his or her world better.

The End