The Hero’s Journey: A Summary of the Hero Cycle or Hero MonoMyth or Hero MonoMyth

Joseph’s Campbell’s Hero Cycle Developed an archetype for heroes in literature and folklore A pattern or theme that reoccurs in many different cultures Good (light) vs. evil (darkness) Also known as a monomyth, Campbell created an outline that most heroic tales follow General pattern of adventures that mythological heroes encounter during their quests.

Hero Cycle Structure Separation (or Departure) InitiationReturn

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Separation Call to Adventure –Hero is in state of anguish; call comes when psychological forces of mind are unbalanced –Lured to, carried away to, or volunteers for adventure Refusal to Call –Hero is sometimes distracted or turns back on call; things then go sour Supernatural Aid –Hero encounters a helper, usually a wise, old man, who gives both psychological and physical weapons –Comic relief often provided here by tricksters

Separation (cont.) Threshold Crossing –Hero eventually must cross into dark underworld, where they face evil; they must first pass a guardian before finding true enlightenment –May defeat guardian or be slain and descend into “death” Belly of the Whale –Having gotten past the guardian, the hero is in a place of darkness, or fluid, dream-like forms

Initiation Road of Trials –Once in the underworld, the hero is repeatedly threatened with mental and physical obstacles to overcome –Supernatural aid comes in handy here! Meeting with the Goddess –With all obstacles overcome, the hero can find bliss in the arms of a lover (the ultimate prize for the hero) Woman as a Temptress –Negative side to goddess in the form of lustful temptation, meant to distract hero from ultimate goal (back to darkness)

Initiation (cont.) Atonement with the Father –Father and son are often pitted against each other; to understand the father (and the self), the hero must reconcile with his father (ultimate authority figure) Apotheosis –Must face darkness alone and conquer it –Hero experiences breakthrough expansion of consciousness. Their idea of reality is changed; they have new talents/powers –Often have larger point of view, allowing them to sacrifice themselves Ultimate Boon –Hero’s psychological forces are balanced again; hero’s newfound knowledge (or boon) has potential to benefit society

Return Refusal of the Return –Having found bliss and enlightenment in the underworld, the hero may not want to return with the boon Magic Flight –Hero makes mad dash to return with prize Rescue from Without –Hero needs to be rescued from underworld

Return (cont.) Crossing of Return Threshold –Hero must confront guard again First crossing was symbolic death, second is symbolic rebirth Master of Two Worlds –Hero is now free to move back and forth between two worlds at will; hero has mastered psychological forces Freedom to Live –Hero has found true freedom and can turn efforts to helping humanity