1. The Hero’s Journey Question: What is a hero?
Does the idea of a hero change over time or location?

2. The Hero’s Journey The Hero’s Journey is a paradigm.
Model or standard form
Both a physical as well as a psychological or emotional experience.
Most common paradigm in mythology.
Note: not all hero journeys will follow this paradigm exactly.

4. The Ordinary World Stage 1:
Get to know the Hero: drives, urges, and problems
This is the Hero’s home, the safe haven from which he must leave and seek to return to as a changed character
The hero is often safe and comfortable…but something may be missing.

5. Archetypes The Hero (“to serve and sacrifice”)
Purpose is to separate and sacrifice self for the service of the Journey
Does not have to be all good (antiheroes, outlaws, loner heroes)
Grows or learns the most during the Journey
We experience the journey through the eyes of the hero

6. The Stages of the Hero’s Journey
Call to Adventure
Disrupts the comfort of the Hero’s Ordinary World
Often delivered by the Herald archetype
May come in different forms (a message, an action, an arrival, etc.)

7. Archetypes The Herald (“to warn and challenge”)
Issues challenges or announces the coming of significant change
Often appears at the beginning of the Journey
Plays a minor role—one character may act as the Herald, as well as another archetype

8. The Stages of the Hero’s Journey
Refusal of the Call
Hero has fears or insecurities
prefers the safe haven of the Ordinary World
refusal demonstrates the risks involved in the Journey (more he refuses=more risks)
Each call and refusal escalates the stakes until the Hero has no choice but to accept

9. The Stages of the Hero’s Journey
Meeting the Mentor
The Mentor provides confidence, insight, advice, training, or magical gifts
Keeps the hero focused on his/her goal
Because the mentor has often traveled the road before, his guidance and advice is crucial.

10. Archetypes The Mentor (“to guide”)
The Mentor provides motivation, insight, training, guidance
Has traveled the road before
May provide the hero with magical gifts
Must die so that the hero faces the biggest challenge alone
When the mentor doesn’t die—how does that affect the story? The journey?

11. The Stages of the Hero’s Journey
Crossing the Threshold
The threshold separates the Ordinary World from the Special World
(should have some kind of physical barrier)
Signifies that the Hero has finally committed to the journey
Hero often meets the ‘threshold guardians’ at this point
There is no turning back

12. Archetypes The Threshold Guardian (“to test”)
Protects the Special World and its secrets from the Hero
Provides Tests which the Hero must pass to prove commitment and worth
May be characters, objects, or forces
Once the hero overcomes the TG, they’ve acquired new power (especially if they make the TG an ally)

13. The Stages of the Hero’s Journey
Tests, Allies, Enemies
Hero learns the rules of the Special World
The Hero must learn who can be trusted
Enemies and villains are encountered
Sidekick/Ally may appear
The Hero needs this stage to test his skills and powers

14. Archetypes The Trickster (“to disrupt”)
Disrupts the “status quo”, turning the Ordinary World into chaos
Uses laughter to help the Hero see the absurdity of a situation
Often is the Hero’s sidekick
They may not change, but they cause change within the world

15. Archetypes The Ally (“to help”) Companion to the hero
Helps the hero with tasks that are too much for one person
Shows faithful support
Often carries on clever banter with the hero
Adds interest for the audience

16. The Stages of the Hero’s Journey
Approach to the Innermost Cave
Leads to the journey’s heart or central Ordeal
Go over instructions/maps/attack plan
Calm before the storm
Necessary to reorganize/remember/rekindle
The Hero often takes a respite before facing the Ordeal

17. The Stages of the Hero’s Journey
The Ordeal
Central life-or-death crisis or crises
May pit the hero against the Shadow—if he fails, it makes him stronger
Hero faces his greatest fear (the shadow) and experiences “death”
Only through “death” can the Hero be reborn
But is it truly over??

18. The Stages of the Hero’s Journey
Stage 9: Reward
Having survived “death”, the Hero receives what he sought
It comes in many forms (a magical sword, an elixir, knowledge, reconciliation)
This allows the Hero to replenish himself and the audience to “catch its breath”
Taking the reward could lead to more troubles…

19. The Stages of the Hero’s Journey
The Road Back
The Hero must accept the Road Back to Ordinary World
Like crossing the threshold, the Hero needs an event that will push him back (a force to chase him out of the Special World)

20. The Stages of the Hero’s Journey
Stage 11: The Resurrection
Death and darkness are encountered one final time
Danger is the highest
Threat is more than just the hero—the entire world
Hero uses all lessons learned
Can receive assistance, but the death blow should come from the hero himself

21. The Stages of the Hero’s Journey
Return with the elixir
The final Reward
The Hero has been resurrected and purified and has earned the right to be accepted back into the Ordinary World
The Hero shares the Elixir of the journey with others or heals a wounded land
All celebrate the journey’s end with revelry or marriage
Harmony and balance are restored to the Ordinary World