“Joseph Campbell’s Monomyth: Hero with a Thousand Faces By Dr. L. Nicosia

Based on the pattern of : Separation Initiation Return

Separation: The Call to Adventure Refusal of the Call Supernatural Intervention Crossing the first threshold

Initiation: The Road of Trials Meeting with the Goddess/Witch Temptation Atonement with Father Apotheosis The Boon

The Hero returns

Upon His Return He Faces: A fallen homeland A land in disarray A trap OR OR A warm welcome as savior

Campbell identifies the hero’s journey with even more specificity…

Stages of the Hero’s Journey: Birth with fabulous circumstances Call to adventure Helper/Amulet (wizard, dwarf, fairy godmother) Crossing the threshold (The Ordeal)

And then… The Test —violent encounters with monsters, sorcerers, warriors or forces of nature Helpers assist in the tests and serve as loyal companions. The final battle facilitates resolution

There’s still more… The Flight The Return (awakening, rebirth, resurrection or emergence from a cave or forest) The Elixir (may be a restorative or healer, but may also define the hero’s role in society) Home

These characters tussle with critical moral and ethical dilemmas: They struggle with their own human flaws and weaknesses They confront external obstacles and injustices (successfully or not) They learn to navigate power structures

Through their struggles,they teach us about who we are and who we wish to be (or not to be).

What is YOUR definition of a Hero?