THE HERO’S JOURNEY …IS OUR OWN STORY

The Hero's Journey Defined 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. —Joseph Campbell, The Hero With a Thousand Faces

The components of the hero’s journey were identified and developed by Joseph Campbell, who was the world’s foremost authority on mythology.

In his book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Campbell asserted that all storytelling follows the ancient patterns of myth, and …

The hero’s journey is one of the oldest story archetypes on the planet.

An Archetype is: A pattern, such as a type of character or type of story, that is repeated in literature.

…that all stories use elements of the Hero’s Journey …that all stories use elements of the Hero’s Journey. Campbell called this archetype a Monomyth.

THE HERO’S JOURNEY THE CALL TO ADVENTURE THE RETURN HOME THE INITIATION THE RETURN HOME

“All journey’s are quests.” (Foster, PH.D) THE CALL TO ADVENTURE Why does the hero decide to go on the journey? “All journey’s are quests.” (Foster, PH.D)

The Quest The quest is to locate or find some object; however, ultimately the quest is for self-knowledge! …Holy Grail, conquer evil, find love, etc.

Self Knowledge The character may choose to change his thoughts and/or behavior after receiving new knowledge or insight into himself. If he does – he’s considered DYNAMIC If he doesn’t – he’s considered STATIC

THE JOURNEY Not all characters go on the journey. If they do not, they are NOT heroes. Just like each of us, we have the ability to accept challenges and become stronger OR run from challenges and stay the way we are.

FATE In Beowulf, Fate is referred to as Wyrd. It is the idea that all things happen to us without our control. We are born to a certain way of life and there is no changing.

In Greek mythology, Fate is a spider weaving the web of life and we are but helpless strands within her control.

This was the popular view of man’s existence for centuries! Only the hero took on the challenge of going against Fate and forging his own path in life… the journey was the way to gain knowledge of one’s self and one’s own potential for change.

The hero does not journey alone! There must be a helper or mentor to guide him on his journey.

The Supernatural The hero is often given help by a supernatural force; however, the hero passes a test of morality at some point earlier in life or at the time he receives the “supernatural gift” to be WORTHY.

The Epic always focuses on a larger theme in terms of the journey. The journey is not to simply find an object or save a damsel in distress UNLESS… gaining the object or saving the lady is needed to save a way of life, a world, conquer evil, etc.

“I don‘t want to go!” The hero very often doesn’t want to go AT FIRST. He or she may be forced by circumstances beyond control, but… Sometimes the hero desires an adventure!

Into the Darkness The hero moves from his “comfort zone” and in to the unknown. No sure path. Nothing to guide him. It is here in the ‘belly of the whale’ that he begins to doubt himself!

The Test A hero – to be a hero- must pass a test or series of tests in order to prove his *Righteousness *Strength *Honor *Bravery *Goodness

The character becomes the NEMESIS and not the hero! Otherwise… The character becomes the NEMESIS and not the hero!

The Goddess Behind every good man is a good woman! The hero may receive blessings from the queen. The hero may gain confidence from a woman. The hero may gain reward from a woman.

“I Am a Hero” The hero through his many challenges, fortunes and misfortunes, survives to be greater than when he first he began the journey. He has defeated evil. In the process he builds self-esteem, wisdom, and maturity.

APOTHEOSIS! Big word for ECSTASY. The hero understands what he must do to finish the journey or, at the very least, now understands the greater purpose of the journey. He sees the BIG PICTURE!

The Return The hero is now fully aware of what he must do and why he must do it. The hero now must make the decision to return home.

Will the Hero Return? The hero has matured on his journey. He has gained wisdom, learned about himself, conquered his inner fears… It is not always easy to return from whence you came!

Going Home The hero may need help to return home through the help of others or through supernatural means. IF the hero returns home, he is now the master of Two Worlds.

The Master of Two Worlds The hero is able to take what he has accomplished in himself and use it for the good of his own home, world, country, etc. He is able to travel between the world of trials and tribulation and the peace and comfort of home.

HOWEVER, If the hero does not return home, that does not mean he is not a hero. If he has accomplished the BIG GOAL of the journey, he is a hero. Our modern heroes seem to master two worlds to some extent. Some more than others.

FREEDOM TO LIVE Does the hero have the freedom to truly live his life now that he has come through the journey cycle? Sometimes, YES Sometimes, NO

I Need a Hero! It is not coincidental that the hero appears when times are dark. It is understandable that man needs to believe in something or someone greater than himself. It is common that the hero was once like us – indeed we all have the potential to be heroes.