2. An Archetypal Story

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

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

5. Some say it’s older than the Pyramids…

6. And Stonehenge…

7. And even cave drawings. (Vogler)

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

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

10. …that all stories use elements of the Hero’s Journey. Campbell called this archetype a #Monomyth a story/myth about one person/character

11. George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, consulted with Campbell while writing the scripts for the first Star Wars trilogy.

12. The function of the story is to entertain, to instruct, and to inspire. The hero’s journey is a metaphor for life itself.

13. Unusual Birth Oftentimes there are unusual circumstances surrounding the birth of a hero. The hero is frequently born to royalty or has a god or goddess as one of his or her parents. The hero is sometimes in danger at birth and needs to be hidden or disguised. For example, in the story of Jesus Christ, Christ is born as son of God to the virgin Mary and is threatened with death by King Herod. Or consider Harry Potter, who is born to parents who are wizards and who narrowly escapes Voldemort's effort to kill him as a baby.

14. The Call to Adventure Heroes can begin their journeys in a number of different ways, but usually a traumatic event occurs that leads to the hero wanting or needing to leave home. When the a hero is called to leave home, he or she may refuse to leave at first, only to be convinced, tricked, or forced into leaving later. In other cases, the hero leaves willingly. Still other times, the hero begins the journey on accident. For example, Luke Skywalker (Star Wars) is called into action by the distress message from Princess Leia, and knows he can leave when his aunt and uncle are killed.

15. Odysseus is called to fight the Trojan War

16. Pinocchio wants to become a real boy.

17. Dorothy wants to leave Kansas.

18. The Refusal of the Call The hero has second thoughts; adventure looks too risky.

19. Dorothy runs back to the farm and Auntie Em. A storm is brewing.

20. Luke Skywalker doesn’t have time for the adventure - he has to help his Uncle Owen on the moisture farm.

21. Supernatural Aid The hero is usually aided by someone, often old and wise, with magical and mystical power. This figure serves as a guide and mentor as the hero embarks into a new world and faces challenges to his or her life and character. Rafiki serves this role to Simba in The Lion King, as do and Yoda in Star Wars.

22. Talisman or Special Weapon The hero often has a weapon or protective device given to him or her that will be useful on the journey. The supernatural helper may be the one to give the hero the weapon or to tell him or her about it. In the legends of King Arthur, the sword Excalibur serves this function

23. The ruby slippers

24. A conscience

25. Luke receives his lightsaber from Obi-Wan Kenobi.

26. Crossing the Threshold At some point, the hero leaves the familiar, safe world of childhood and home and enters fully into the new world of the journey. Luke Skywalker experiences this disorientation among the aliens and creatures at the space port in Mos Eisley. Mulan, pretending to be a boy, enters a new world at the all-male army camp.

27. Dorothy is carried away to Oz by the tornado.

28. Luke Skywalker leaves his home on Tatooine.

29. The hero has to succeed at a series of trials that challenge and build his or her moral strength and character. Typically, one of these trials involves a descent into the underworld where the hero may experience the “dark night of the soul.” Shrek (and many other heroes) has to enter and escape a castle while defeating a dragon, and Hercules has a famous list of twelve trials as part of his hero's journey. Trials (belly of the whale experience)

31. For some, the belly of the whale experience is a situation in which the hero feels trapped. Luke, Han, and Leia trapped in the garbage compactor.

32. Luke Skywalker trains with Yoda in a whale-like house.

33. While on Yoda’s planet of Dagobah, Luke enters a whale-like cave and must face his own potential for evil, which is personified by Darth Vader.

34. Achievement of goal Upon successful completion of the trials, the hero achieves the ultimate goal of the journey. The goal may be an object, such as the Holy Grail; a conceptual task, such as the destruction of the Empire and Death Star; or knowledge or a state of being as in the story of Odysseus.

35. Reconciliation with the father-figure If a division or conflict with the hero's father or father- figure is part of the hero's journey, reconciliation or healing with the father occurs as part of the hero's journey. Simba is reassured by the starry figure of his father, Mufasa, in The Lion King. Luke takes off Darth Vader's mask so his father can see him with his own eyes once before he dies.

36. Return Home The hero, sometimes willingly and sometimes unwillingly, again crosses the threshold and returns home. He or she brings new wisdom and important cultural values back to the community upon return. When Simba returns to Pride Rock with his kind and moral leadership, the land returns to health. Odysseus returns home with his wit and skill and purges his palace of the inhospitable suitors of his wife, Penelope.

37. Finally, the hero returns to “Kansas.”

38. Common Mythic Elements These are steps that are often but not always present in a typical hero’s journey

39. Meeting with the Goddess A wise or magical woman gives guidance or advice to the hero.

40. Battle with the Dragon The hero must confront and vanquish a malevolent being.

41. Temptation Someone or something tries to distract the hero from his goal. Circe the witch tries to keep Odysseus on her island.

42. Apotheosis (from Greek roots meaning “from God”) The hero recognizes his/her true identity - that spark of divinity within.

43. I am a Jedi, like my father before me!

44. No!

45. But you’ve always had the power to go home!

46. The hero succeeds in his/her mission. Dorothy returns to Emerald City with the witch’s broom. The Ultimate Boon (bonus)

47. The hero succeeds in his mission. Luke destroys the Death Star.

48. Two worlds: The Mundane And the Fantastic

49. The Prophecy A legend or ancient prophecy that the hero is expected to fulfill.

50. Failed Hero The guy who didn’t make it. In Memory of Biggs Darklighter

51. Wearing the Enemy’s Skin The hero must disguise himself as the enemy.

52. The Shape Shifter An archetypal friend or enemy with ambiguous or shifting loyalties.

53. #Why? The monomyth of the hero’s journey helps us answer the most profound questions of the universe.

54. Why… … am I here? …is there suffering? What… …is the meaning of life?

55. Profound: from the Latin “profundus,” meaning “just before the bottom” or “at the edge of death.” (Brennan)

56. # “A hero is someone who reaches the edge of death, steals a piece of magic, then brings the magic home to share with his community.” (Brennan)

57. We are all heroes on our separate journeys and our mission is to make the world a better place.

58. References Brennan, Kristen. “Star Wars Origins.” 1999-2001. Jitterbug Fantasia. 20 Sept. 2002. Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces. New York: Mythos Books, 1949. Vogler, Christopher. “The Writer’s Journey.” 2002. Michael Weiss Productions. 20 Sept. 2002.

59. Written and produced by Mollie Kelleher MMII “What it Is” Written & performed by Mark Knopfler Teacher of English Longmont High School St. Vrain Valley School District Adapted and edited by Aaron Short Teacher of English Mountain View High School

60. “Follow your bliss.” - Joseph Campbell

62. Hero vs. Anti-Hero Notes Borrowed from slideshare.net and adopted/adapted by Mr. Short

63. #The Hero

64. -The Traditional Hero is a character who possesses a strong moral fiber. This is a character that seems to always do the right thing, no matter what the situation. -The Hero has a strong conviction, is dynamic, and/or has a certain magnetism that draws the reader to him/her. A hero does not necessarily complete their journey on their own, but they are the central character in the story.

65. #The Anti-Hero

66. The Anti-Hero is a flawed hero. An Anti-hero has some sort of character flaw that often hinders their ability to be a hero. Though an Anti-Hero may not do the right thing all the time, but the Anti-Hero will do the right thing in the end and eventually “save the day”, even after many failures. The concept of an Anti-Hero is often used in darker literature, but is now becoming more mainstream. The Anti-Hero is being used more in modern literature as authors try to portray villains as complex characters

67. #The Anti-Hero A reader relates to Anti-Hero relates because the Anti- Hero displays more humanity than a traditional Hero. Instead of a standard tragic flaw, an Anti-Hero may try to do what is right by using questionable means. Anti-Heroes can be obnoxious. Anti-Heroes can be pitiful. Anti-Heroes can be awkward. Anti-Heroes can be passive. Some Anti-Heroes may be unable to commit to traditional values of society. This type of Anti-Hero distrusts conventional society.