The Hero’s/Heroine’s Ques t

Joseph Campbell Joseph Campbell “Follow your bliss.”  1904 – 1987  American mythologist, writer, and lecturer.  Well-educated  Widely travelled  Campbell noticed:  Reoccurring Elements  Patterns  Especially in hero myths

 “The hero is the same, but the costume changes.”  Joseph Campbell called this the Monomyth, or “one story.” (A phrase coined by James Joyce)  This is the diagram he created to illustrate this concept:

Stages of the Monomyth - Simplified 1.Birth 2.Call to Adventure 3.Helpers/Amulet 4.Crossing the Threshold 5.Tests 6.Helpers 7.Climax/Supreme Ordeal 8.Flight 9.Return 10.Elixir 11.Home

Birth/Beginning  Unusual circumstances related to: Conception Birth Childhood

Call to Adventure  Call to Adventure: External Event or Messenger Willingly or Reluctant Something Changes A Problem to Be Solved – Solution (Elixir) Needed

Helpers/Amulet  Protective figure Wizard Old Man Crone Dwarf Fairy Godmother  Amulet Lightsaber Sword Protective Items (Rings, Necklaces, Armor, etc.)

Crossing the Threshold  Passing from the known to the unknown

Tests  Violent encounters  monsters  sorcerers  warriors  forces of nature.  Lessons

Helpers  Loyal Companions  Providers of Information (Oracles, Wise People)  Providers of Physical Help (Resources, Skills)

Climax/Supreme Ordeal  Showdown: At stake - all the cookies  Makes or breaks the quest  Pushes hero/heroine to the limit

Elixir (PHAT LEWT)  The Solution Often Healing or Restorative Often defines the hero’s role in society Fixes the problem

Flight  Time to Go Home  Escape  Return to the Every Day World

Return  Resurrection  Rebirth  Emerging from a Forest or Cave  Bringing the Elixir  Arrival at Home (Or What Passes for It)

Home/End  Shares Elixir  Defined by the Quest