1. The Hero and his Journey
Unit 1
The Hero and his Journey

2. Projects
Hero Journal
Fill in the parts of the hero cycle for each example or non-example that we read
You may use your notes and the text
Due at the end of the unit (Nov.3)

3. Personal Story
Create a personal story containing the elements of the hero journey
Can be real or fictional
Use proper sentence structure and grammar
words; typed; double-spaced
Due Nov. 5

4. Kenning Descriptions (1-2)
Battle Boast
In-class essay on Beowulf (Oct. 14)
Various other creative and analytical short papers
Annotations and/or graphic journals

5. The Hero Cycle
Formulated by Joseph Campbell who was an anthropologist and author
The formula contains the basic elements of many traditional stories
Means of analyzing fiction and non-fiction

6. Why is the hero cycle consistent across cultures?
All humans have similar life experiences.
Through the ages, humans have had difficulty making sense out of their experiences, and stories have been a way that they find meaning and pass on the culture's values.
We all have a desire for a hero because our sinful hearts have a need for a Savior.

7. Stages of the Hero Cycle
I. Departure: Separation from the Ordinary World
Hero must leave his ordinary world/life in order to experience something extraordinary.
Journey is emotional, psychological and physical
Hero's fundamental problem is immaturity.

8. A. Call to Adventure - put a cause above himself
B. Refusal of the Call - doesn't want to change
C. Supernatural Aid - Meeting the Mentor - usually someone older and wiser
D. The Crossing of the First Threshold - no going back
The belly of the Whale

9. II. Initiation: Descent into the Special World
A. Tests, Allies, & Enemies - hero gains experience and new values
1. The meeting with the Goddess
2. Woman as the Temptress
B. Climax/Final Battle/The Ordeal/Apotheosis
C. Reward - wins the battle and receives some sort of benefit

10. III. Return
A. Road back
1. refusal to return
2. magical flight away from danger
3. someone else comes & rescues hero
B. Crossing of Return Threshold: resurrection
hero survives final battle

11. C. Return with Elixir
something society needs
D. Home
Master of Two Worlds - his own and the other world he has conquered
Freedom to live peacefully