Hero's Journey

Hero's Journey & Archetypes

​What do stories about ancient Greek heroes,

wizards, muggles, and super heroes have in common?

​You may have heard the story of the twelve trials of Hercules and maybe even the journey of Odysseus. You may have read or watched Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone or read comics like Superman or Spiderman.

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While these tales may seem different, author Joseph Campbell claims they are all variations of the same story! In his 1949 book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Campbell outlines the monomyth, or archetypal journey, that all of these stories follow. In this lesson you will learn the stages of the archetypal hero’s journey and decide for yourself if a story you are reading follows this cycle.

​Campbell claims that most great heroes have taken the path of this hero's journey. Campbell's stages fall into three main areas of departure, initiation, and return, which are further broken down into 17 stages.

​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.

Let's examine the stages of the Hero's Journey using a movie we may all be familiar with... The Lion King (1994).

Let's identify the stages of the Hero's Journey using a familiar movie, "The Lion King" (1994)

​1. ​The Ordinary World

​This step refers to the hero's normal life at the start of the story, before the adventure begins. 

​2. 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.

3. ​​Enemies, Tests, Allies

​7. ENTERING THE UNKNOWN/CROSSING THE FIRST THRESHOLD

​​The hero leaves his ordinary world for the first time and crosses the threshold into adventure.

​6. Allies & Helpers

​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.

​5. Refusal of the Call

​The hero attempts to refuse the adventure because he is afraid.

7. Meeting the Goddess

8. SUPERNATURAL AID/GUIDE OR MENTOR

​ The hero encounters someone who can give him advice and ready him for the journey ahead.

9. SUPREME ORDEAL

​The hero experiences a major hurdle or obstacle, such as a life or death crisis. 

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​​10. Resurrection Hero - The hero faces a final test where everything is at stake and he must use everything he has learned.

11. FREEDOM TO LIVE:  The hero brings his knowledge or the "elixir" back to the ordinary world, where he applies it to help all who remain there.