The Hero's Journey (Characters and Pattern)

Which of the characters below drive the story? You should select more than one type.

• Protagonist

• Sidekick

• Guardian

• Emotion

• Sceptic

This is the character who is quick to anger, and quick to empathise.

• Sceptic

• Reason

• Threshold Guardian

• Emotion

What is an archetype?

• A typical example

• A type of arch

• Mythical creature

The image we have of a conquer who vanishes evil but who has a single fatal flaw.

• Wise Old Man

• Hero

• The Self

• Persona

Someone who is challenged physically, mentally or morally to achieve a goal

• Shadow

• Hero

• Mentor

• Shapeshifter

Old man or woman who teaches, guides or helps the hero

• Ally
• Trickster
• Mentor
• Shapeshifter

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.5

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.8.9

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

The Ally is an extension of the side-kick character, and there can be more than one. What are their possible roles in the story?

• To provide assistance for the hero in their time of need.

• To stand up for them against adversaries.

• To bring out the "human-ness" in the hero character

• To provide comic relief.

Herald characters:

• Accompanies the hero and creates suspense

• Announces the need for a quest and forces the hero to act

• Tests the hero and forces the hero to act

• Announces the need for a quest and provides comic relief

What is the shadow figure?

• Usually brave and honorable
• Opposes the hero
• Accompanies the hero
• Tests the hero

The Trickster archetype can be given to the cont-agonist of the story, however it can also extend the sceptic character. The Trickster shows the hero the absurdity of the new world and....

• Gives him gifts

• Uses humour to aid the hero

• Is usually older and wiser

• Rounds out the hero's personality