EPIC HERO CYCLE A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than one’s self"  -- Joseph Campbell   

Joseph Campbell American mythologist Wrote “The Hero with A Thousand Faces” Introduced the idea of the MONOMYTH Campbell explores the theory that important myths from around the world that have survived for thousands of years all share a fundamental structure

HERO JOURNEY/CYCLE The Monomyth… “A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.” For all Humans….. As a person goes through life, many psychological challenges will be encountered. Understanding this journey may serve as a guide for successful passage through the stages of one's life.

DEPARTURE The Call to Adventure – life will change Refusal of the Call – scared, fearful Supernatural Aid – help from gods or other magical beings The Crossing of the First Threshold – a new and dangerous world

INITIATION The Road of Trials – series of tests The Meeting of the Goddesses – falling in love Abyss (death and rebirth) – greatest challenge of the journey. Atonement with the Father – must confront what holds power over him/her – usually a symbolic death occurs to TRANSFORM - so that a new self can come into being The Ultimate Boon – achieve goal

RETURN Refusal of Return – why go back? The Crossing of the Return Threshold – Retain the wisdom gained on the quest Master of Two Worlds – Achieving balance between material and spiritual world Freedom to Live – Freedom from fear of death = living in the moment!

Call to Adventure The Call to Adventure – when the hero is first given notice that everything is going to change Refusal of the Call – scared, fearful

Supernatural Aid Aided by some supernatural or other worldly being This could be someone with intimate knowledge of the trials/challenges, or with some extraordinary ability that will aid the hero

Crossing the Threshold the person actually crosses into the field of adventure leaving the world he/she knows and venturing into an unknown and dangerous place

Challenges and Temptations These are the trials and challenges the hero faces They may face temptation of some sort, or someone/something may try to tempt Often a hero will fail in some way one or more of these challenges

Abyss the greatest challenge of the journey. Usually the hero must face the abyss alone and overcome his/her greatest fears This may be the point where the hero faces the thing he/she fears most and must overcome

Transformation As a result of successfully meeting the challenge of the abyss, the hero is transformed in the way he/she views the world or himself/herself

Atonement Accepting the new transformed self Goal of the quest has been achieved

Return Return to everyday normal life This is the elevated “status quo”

Artists Influenced by this Myth Harry Potter Ender’s Game Aladdin Star Wars Bob Dylan Beauty and the Beast Lost Jim Morrison Watership Down Lion King Hitchhiker's Guide

Harry Potter & Star Wars

Assignment Select a film or book and compare the character’s journey to the hero cycle, or use your own. Star Wars Harry Potter Mulan Lord of the Rings http://readwritethink.org/materials/herosjourney/