1. Twelve Stages of the Hero’s Journey “The Hero Quest”
English 1-Honors
Unit: The Odyssey

2. The Departure The Ordinary World The Call to Adventure
Refusal of the Call
Meeting with the Mentor
Crossing the Threshold

3. Stage 1: Life in the ordinary world
Normal everyday existence.
No conflict.
Life as usual.
Peaceful, calm, quiet, ordered.

4. Stage 2: A “call” to adventure
A serious situation emerges that threatens life in the ordinary world.
The hero is “summoned” or “called upon” to undertake a very important task or mission.

5. Stage 3: Refusal of the call
The hero sees the task as overwhelming and feels inadequate or unable to fulfill the quest.
Or the hero doesn’t want to undertake the task or quest.
Or the hero doesn’t believe the quest is essential.
Or someone refuses the call for him/her.

6. Stage 4: Discovering a Mentor
Mentor = Guide
The hero finds a mentor / “friend” who will guide, instruct, or lead him.
The mentor typically convinces the hero that the task or mission is necessary.

7. Stage 5: Passing the “threshold”
The hero leaves his world, his “home,” behind and embarks on a journey.
This marks the beginning of the quest.

8. The Initiation Tests, Allies, Enemies Approach to the Inmost Cave
The Ordeal
Seizing the Sword, Reward
The Road Back

9. Stage 6: Finding Allies and encountering enemies
Along the way, the hero discovers a band of allies who will help him along his quest.
The hero also learns who his enemies are.

10. Stage 7: Tests and challenges
Hero undergoes many tests and challenges.
Each challenge brings him closer to his goal
Each challenge makes him stronger, bolder, wiser, etc…

11. Stage 7: Approaching the “innermost cave”
The hero must enter a place of darkness.
Literally: a deep cave, underground, a very dark and scary place.
Figuratively: emotional depression, sadness, melancholy.
Hero learns something of extreme value during this stage.

12. Stage 8: The ultimate ordeal
The Hero undergoes his most challenging test.
Usually face-to-face with his mortal enemy.

13. Stage 9: Seizing the sword
The hero finds the courage and nerve to face his “enemy” head on.
The hero decides it’s “all or nothing.”
The hero decides it’s time to act.

14. Stage 10: The Road Back The final chase
There are still tasks to complete the journey is not over
If the hero has stolen a person or item it is usually at the point that they are being chased for it

15. The Return
Resurrection
Return with the Elixir

16. Stage 11: Resurrection Literal or figurative
The hero dies and is miraculously brought back to life.
The hero is thought to be dead, only to return again, surprising everyone.
The hero is reborn into a higher state of being or consciousness.

17. Stage 12: Returning with the elixir
An “elixir” is a potent potion that restores one to health.
The hero brings back an “elixir” that restores his ordinary world.
The “elixir” can be peace, calm, hope, order, a cure, an actual healing potion, etc…

18. YouTube Clips https://youtu.be/4V7drZMyL5M (Disney)
(Star Wars/Wizard of Oz/Harry Potter)