The Hero’s Journey Notable literary archetypes within The Epic of Gilgamesh and the epic poem; Beowulf

The Call to Adventure The call to adventure is the point in a person's life when they are first given notice that everything is going to change, whether they know it or not. The call to adventure is the point in a person's life when they are first given notice that everything is going to change, whether they know it or not.

The Threshold This is the point where the person actually crosses into the field of adventure, leaving the known limits of his or her world and venturing into an unknown and dangerous realm where the rules and limits are not known. This is the point where the person actually crosses into the field of adventure, leaving the known limits of his or her world and venturing into an unknown and dangerous realm where the rules and limits are not known.

The Descent The protagonist is tested and found vulnerable, but the outcome reveals a part of him/her that s/he did not know existed. The assistance given the protagonist begins to come into play in the story, and s/he is not expected to face the trials alone (sometimes called “The trail of trials”) The protagonist is tested and found vulnerable, but the outcome reveals a part of him/her that s/he did not know existed. The assistance given the protagonist begins to come into play in the story, and s/he is not expected to face the trials alone (sometimes called “The trail of trials”)

The Initiation A normal occurrence motivates the protagonist to acknowledge an unknown aspect of his/her world, feel a restlessness with the constraints of his/her life, or find a new world that s/he was not aware existed. A normal occurrence motivates the protagonist to acknowledge an unknown aspect of his/her world, feel a restlessness with the constraints of his/her life, or find a new world that s/he was not aware existed.

The Abyss Near the middle of the story, the hero enters a central space in the Special World and confronts death or faces his or her greatest fear. Out of the moment of death comes a new life. Near the middle of the story, the hero enters a central space in the Special World and confronts death or faces his or her greatest fear. Out of the moment of death comes a new life.

The Transformation At the climax, the hero is severely tested once more on the threshold of home. He or she is purified by a last sacrifice, another moment of death and rebirth, but on a higher and more complete level. By the hero’s action, the polarities that were in conflict at the beginning are finally resolved (sometimes referred to as “the resurrection” or “apotheosis”) At the climax, the hero is severely tested once more on the threshold of home. He or she is purified by a last sacrifice, another moment of death and rebirth, but on a higher and more complete level. By the hero’s action, the polarities that were in conflict at the beginning are finally resolved (sometimes referred to as “the resurrection” or “apotheosis”)

The Atonement A father figure may be portrayed as the vengeful male threatened by the rise of the hero and so establishes a horrifying conflict. The hero seeks atonement or "at-one- ment" with the father. Despite a wrathful figure, the hero has faith that The Father is merciful and he must rely on that mercy. In turn, The Father has a change of heart and the fearful image dissolves. The hero is released from the situation through reconciliation, forgiveness and mercy. A father figure may be portrayed as the vengeful male threatened by the rise of the hero and so establishes a horrifying conflict. The hero seeks atonement or "at-one- ment" with the father. Despite a wrathful figure, the hero has faith that The Father is merciful and he must rely on that mercy. In turn, The Father has a change of heart and the fearful image dissolves. The hero is released from the situation through reconciliation, forgiveness and mercy.

Guides The inexperienced protagonist is provided a supernatural, guiding, and/or guarding character, or an instrumental item (sword, encouragement, etc.) to assist his/her step forward into the unknown. The inexperienced protagonist is provided a supernatural, guiding, and/or guarding character, or an instrumental item (sword, encouragement, etc.) to assist his/her step forward into the unknown.

Helpers Oftentimes the ally may be a hero already in their own right, someone who has had their own hero's journey and is now taking part in the new hero-to-be's journey and in many ways they become greater heroes for having partaken of the other hero's journey. But sometimes, the ally does not experience new growth and is simply there to aid the hero and when their purpose is complete they step aside for the new hero to come into her own. This person may be a mentor or a “sidekick”. Oftentimes the ally may be a hero already in their own right, someone who has had their own hero's journey and is now taking part in the new hero-to-be's journey and in many ways they become greater heroes for having partaken of the other hero's journey. But sometimes, the ally does not experience new growth and is simply there to aid the hero and when their purpose is complete they step aside for the new hero to come into her own. This person may be a mentor or a “sidekick”.