1. “The cave you fear to enter, holds the treasure you seek” ~Joseph Campbell
Write this quote in your journal. Respond to it by stating what you think it means, and how it applies to you.

2. Monomyth: The Hero’s Journey
Notes and Activity

3. Joseph Campbell, an American psychologist and mythological researcher, wrote a famous book entitled The Hero with a Thousand Faces. In his lifelong research Campbell discovered many common patterns running through hero myths and stories from around the world.

4. Years of research led Campbell to discover several basic stages that almost every hero-quest goes through (no matter what culture the myth is a part of). He calls this common structure “the monomyth.” It is commonly referred to as "The Hero's Journey."

6. This concept of the hero’s journey is one that has gained much praise and consideration of worth in the literary community. Classics such as Beowulf and The Odyssey, as well as more recent, but epic, tales such as that of Batman all follow the same path of the hero’s journey.

7. Campbell studied the world's religions, art, and stories and discovered common threads throughout all, including the hero. Campbell believed that mythology is the collective "dream" of mankind, the "song of the universe." (Campbell,1970) . Campbell's work highlights mankind's common search, both personally and socially, for meaning and truth through the ages.

8. Additionally, Campbell’s ideas regarding the hero’s journey have been applied by professionals such as Chris Vogler in the creation of Disney classics. George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, claims that Campbell’s monomyth was the inspiration for his groundbreaking films. Lucas also believes that Star Wars is such a popular saga because it taps into a timeless story-structure which has existed for thousands of years.

9. The Hero’s Journey is never an easy one
The Hero’s Journey is never an easy one. Odysseus’ particular journey, as detailed in Homer’s The Odyssey, is one of struggle, loss, heartache, pain, growth and triumph. It is comprised of many steps that Odysseus has to overcome and battle through in order to achieve his final goal of reaching his home and his loved ones.

11. Ordinary World: This step refers to the hero's normal life at the start of the story, before the adventure begins. The Hero exists in a world that is considered ordinary or uneventful by those who live there.
Stage One

12. Call to Adventure: The hero is faced with something that makes him begin his adventure. This might be a problem or a challenge he needs to overcome. Usually there is a discovery, some event, or some danger that starts them on the heroic path. Heroes find a mystic object or discover their world is in danger. In some cases, heroes happen upon their quest by accident. Campbell puts it like this, “A blunder—the merest chance—reveals an unsuspected world.”
Stage 2

13. Refusal of the Call: The hero attempts to refuse the adventure because he is afraid.
Stage 3

14. Meeting with the Mentor: The hero encounters someone who can give him advice and ready him for the journey ahead.  
Stage 4

15. Crossing the First Threshold: The hero leaves his ordinary world for the first time and crosses the threshold into adventure. As they embark on their journey, the heroes enter a world they have never experienced before. Very often it is filled with supernatural creatures, breathtaking sights, and the constant threat of death. Unlike the heroes’ home, this outside world has its own rules, and they quickly learns to respect these rules as their endurance and strength are tested time and time again.  
Stage 5

16. Tests, Allies, Enemies: The hero learns the rules of his new world
Tests, Allies, Enemies: The hero learns the rules of his new world. During this time, he endures tests of strength of will, meets friends, and comes face to face with foes.
Supernatural Aid: In every instance it is something the hero needs to succeed. As Campbell says, “One has only to know and trust, and the ageless guardians will appear.” The job of the supernatural assistor is to give the heroes what they need to finish the quest— not finish it for them.
Stage 6

17. Approach to Inmost Cave: Setbacks occur, sometimes causing the hero to try a new approach or adopt new ideas.
Stage 7

18. Supreme Ordeal: The hero experiences a major hurdle or obstacle, such as a life or death crisis.
Stage 8

19. Reward: After surviving the ordeal, the hero earns his reward or accomplishes his goal.
Stage 9

20. The Road Back: The hero begins his journey back to his ordinary life.
Stage 10

21. Resurrection - The hero faces a final test where everything is at stake and he must use everything he has learned.
Stage 11

22. Return with Elixir: The hero brings his knowledge or the "elixir" back to the ordinary world, where he applies it to help all who remain there. 

Stage 12

23. Challenge: Can you name the stages of Odysseus’ journey in The Odyssey?
Ordinary World
1. The peaceful island of Ithaca is the ordinary world of Odysseus. Here Odysseus is the well respected and loved king of the island. He is married to his love, Penelope,
whom he adores with his heart (Anderson, 1991)
2. In the case of Odysseus in the "Odyssey", our hero's ordinary world can not
wholly be defined or looked at as "ordinary". However, for this book and tale of Odysseus, it is
the closest thing to fit for this segment of the journey.