1. EPIC HERO CYCLE
A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than one’s self"  -- Joseph Campbell   

2. Joseph Campbell American mythologist
Wrote “The Hero with A Thousand Faces”
Introduced the idea of the MONOMYTH
Campbell explores the theory that important myths from around the world that have survived for thousands of years all share a fundamental structure

3. HERO JOURNEY/CYCLE The Monomyth…
“A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.”
For all Humans…..
As a person goes through life, many psychological challenges will be encountered. Understanding this journey may serve as a guide for successful passage through the stages of one's life.

5. DEPARTURE The Call to Adventure – life will change
Refusal of the Call – scared, fearful
Supernatural Aid – help from gods or other magical beings
The Crossing of the First Threshold – a new and dangerous world

6. INITIATION The Road of Trials – series of tests
The Meeting of the Goddesses – falling in love
Abyss (death and rebirth) – greatest challenge of the journey.
Atonement with the Father – must confront what holds power over him/her – usually a symbolic death occurs to TRANSFORM - so that a new self can come into being
The Ultimate Boon – achieve goal

7. RETURN Refusal of Return – why go back?
The Crossing of the Return Threshold – Retain the wisdom gained on the quest
Master of Two Worlds – Achieving balance between material and spiritual world
Freedom to Live – Freedom from fear of death = living in the moment!

8. Call to Adventure
The Call to Adventure – when the hero is first given notice that everything is going to change
Refusal of the Call – scared, fearful

9. Supernatural Aid Aided by some supernatural or other worldly being
This could be someone with intimate knowledge of the trials/challenges, or with some extraordinary ability that will aid the hero

10. Crossing the Threshold
the person actually crosses into the field of adventure
leaving the world he/she knows and venturing into an unknown and dangerous place

11. Challenges and Temptations
These are the trials and challenges the hero faces
They may face temptation of some sort, or someone/something may try to tempt
Often a hero will fail in some way one or more of these challenges

12. Abyss the greatest challenge of the journey.
Usually the hero must face the abyss alone and overcome his/her greatest fears
This may be the point where the hero faces the thing he/she fears most and must overcome

13. Transformation
As a result of successfully meeting the challenge of the abyss, the hero is transformed in the way he/she views the world or himself/herself

14. Atonement Accepting the new transformed self
Goal of the quest has been achieved

15. Return Return to everyday normal life
This is the elevated “status quo”

16. Artists Influenced by this Myth
Harry Potter Ender’s Game
Aladdin Star Wars Bob Dylan
Beauty and the Beast Lost
Jim Morrison Watership Down
Lion King Hitchhiker's Guide

17. Harry
Potter
&
Star
Wars

19. Assignment
Select a film or book and compare the character’s journey to the hero cycle, or use your own.
Star Wars Harry Potter
Mulan Lord of the Rings