Hero's Journey

• The hero has achieved victory which is life-changing for them.

• Often they return with an object or ability that allows them either to save their world or fit in and become accepted by society.

• They have proved themselves worthy and become legends in their own right.

• They finally find their place in the ordinary world.

• The Return

• Crossing the Threshold

• The Approach

• Test Allies and Enemies

• In order to begin their journeys, the hero must be called away from the ordinary world and removed from their typical environment.

• Usually there is a discovery, event, problem or danger that spurs them on their journey.

• The new world the hero enters is very different than the old one and adventure awaits them.

• The Approach

• The Supreme Ordeal

• The Call to Adventure

• Crossing the Threshold

• We are introduced to our hero who usually exists in a world that is considered ordinary and uneventful by its inhabitants.

• We see the protagonist in their everyday life but they are usually outcast in some way or considered odd by the rest of society.

• Sometimes they possess some trait, ability or characteristic that makes them feel out-of-place.

• Ordinary World

• Crossing the Threshold

• The Mentor and The Talisman

• The all to adventure

• Before they leave on their journey, the hero is given a task or quest which only they can complete.

• They are faced with a choice to either accept or refuse this task.

• There's a reason they've been chosen so of course, they eventually accept the call and advance to the next stage of their quest.

• This acceptance is the hero's first voluntary step.

• Ordinary World

• Accepting the Call

• The Reward

• The Approach

• The hero is faced with a series of obstacles or challenges that they must overcome.

• This makes them stronger and wiser so they are prepared to face the supreme ordeal.

• They may come across enemies or meet other characters who become companions and help them on their quest.

• This is the bulk of the hero's journey.

• Test Allies and Enemies

• Crossing the Threshold

• Atonement

• The Approach

• This is the lead up to the final battle, also called the supreme ordeal.

• In this stage, the hero is confronted with something that motivates them or prepares them to complete the final task.

• Sometimes, a setback occurs, known as the abyss, and the hero must try a new approach.

• The hero must go to the next step alone.

• The Approach

• The Supreme Ordeal

• Ordinary World

• Crossing the Threshold

• The hero leaves the ordinary world and enters an environment they've never experienced before.

• It might be filled with bizarre creatures, supernatural events, breathtaking sights or constant dangers.

• This new world has its own set of rules and the hero must learn to adapt if they want to survive or gain acceptance.

• The Supreme Ordeal

• Ordinary World

• The Approach

• crossing the threshold

• The hero has learned important lessons through their experience and can now use their newfound wisdom and strength to their advantage.

• They now confront whatever or whoever holds the ultimate power in their life in one final test to prove how much they've grown as a hero.

• The Return

• The Reward

• Growth or Atonement

• The approach

• Prepared with the skills and knowledge they've acquired on their journey, the hero faces their biggest obstacle.

• During this battle the hero usually loses something important to them, whether this is an object, a mentor, the battle itself or a life.

• The hero succeeds and the tension is relieved although their quest still is not quite over.

• Ordinary World

• The Supreme Ordeal

• Test Allies and Enemies

• Crossing the Threshold

• The hero meets an expert or mentor character who exhibits special skills, powers or wisdom.

• This supernatural character often gives them something they need to succeed in completing their quest. This might be a magical object, training to develop a particular skill or even just some insight or advice.

• A talisman is a special item/weapon/characteristic that assists the hero on their journey.

• It is imperative the hero makes decisions on their own during their journey; therefore, the mentor must be out of the picture and, typically, dies.

• Ordinary World

• Accepting the Call

• The Mentor and Tailsman

• The Supreme Ordeal