Aladdin Heroes JourneyAladdin Heroes Journey

By: Kyle RysanBy: Kyle Rysan

P. 2P. 2

The Ordinary WorldThe Ordinary World The place where the Heroes The place where the Heroes

friends and family are located, friends and family are located, and where he begins the story and where he begins the story from.from.

In the movies, Aladdin’s home is In the movies, Aladdin’s home is in Agrabah, where he has lived for in Agrabah, where he has lived for his whole life.his whole life.

Call to AdventureCall to Adventure •  •  There is an awakening of the There is an awakening of the

"self to an unknown, unexpected "self to an unknown, unexpected world. The hero becomes aware of world. The hero becomes aware of a new, unusual, exciting, a new, unusual, exciting, forbidden, and/or foreign world. forbidden, and/or foreign world.

•  •  The hero outgrows his old The hero outgrows his old world. The old concepts, ideals, world. The old concepts, ideals, and emotional patterns no longer and emotional patterns no longer fit; the time for passing the fit; the time for passing the threshold is at hand. threshold is at hand.

•  •  Sometimes, chance reveals an Sometimes, chance reveals an unexpected world; therefore, the unexpected world; therefore, the hero is forced to leave (which hero is forced to leave (which may cause some anxiety.)may cause some anxiety.)

In Aladdin, the Call to Adventure In Aladdin, the Call to Adventure is when Aladdin is helped out of is when Aladdin is helped out of his cell by a disguised Jafer.his cell by a disguised Jafer.

Refusal of the CallRefusal of the Call

    Often the hero feels that he/she Often the hero feels that he/she has it "too good" and refuses to has it "too good" and refuses to give up all that they currently give up all that they currently have (often resulting in the hero have (often resulting in the hero being forced to move on). being forced to move on).

•  •  The hero doesn't understand The hero doesn't understand that the refusal of the call means that the refusal of the call means a refusal to move on in life.a refusal to move on in life.

This happens when Aladdin has This happens when Aladdin has second thoughts about helping second thoughts about helping the old man with the tunnel.the old man with the tunnel.

Supernatural AidSupernatural Aid •  •  This can come in the form of a This can come in the form of a

protective figure, usually an elder protective figure, usually an elder (old crone or old man.) (old crone or old man.)

•   •   Provides the hero with Provides the hero with something (physical or mental) something (physical or mental) which will help the hero move which will help the hero move forward in his adventure. forward in his adventure. Perhaps a sword to fight the Perhaps a sword to fight the dragon or a confidence boost to dragon or a confidence boost to help the hero believe in help the hero believe in him/herself.him/herself.

Many things help Aladdin in the Many things help Aladdin in the story, such as the Genie and the story, such as the Genie and the Magic CarpetMagic Carpet

Crossing the Threshold Crossing the Threshold •  •  The hero ventures into an The hero ventures into an

unknown world which breaks unknown world which breaks tradition, and the hero meets tradition, and the hero meets some dangerous presence. some dangerous presence.

•  •  The hero encounters a The hero encounters a "threshold guardian" at the "threshold guardian" at the entrance to the zone of magnified entrance to the zone of magnified power. This guardian stands in power. This guardian stands in the way of the hero moving on to the way of the hero moving on to the next area.the next area.

This takes place when Aladdin This takes place when Aladdin finds the genie and asks to be a finds the genie and asks to be a Prince.Prince.

In the Belly of the WhaleIn the Belly of the Whale •  •  Once the hero has crossed the Once the hero has crossed the

threshold, his old world is threshold, his old world is destroyed (literally or destroyed (literally or figuratively). He/she moves into a figuratively). He/she moves into a world of darkness (the belly of world of darkness (the belly of the whale) and will not come out the whale) and will not come out until he/she is ready to return (so until he/she is ready to return (so the hero stays in the belly of the the hero stays in the belly of the whale through all of initiation). whale through all of initiation). Often times there will be a Often times there will be a "deepest part" to the belly. "deepest part" to the belly.

This takes place when he goes This takes place when he goes into the palace to try and woo the into the palace to try and woo the princess.princess.

Initiation Initiation

The Road of Trials The Road of Trials •  •  Hero experiences miraculous Hero experiences miraculous

tests or ordeals on the road of tests or ordeals on the road of trials. There are usually several trials. There are usually several incidents that affect the hero at incidents that affect the hero at this point. The hero will appear this point. The hero will appear weak and vulnerable, but he/she weak and vulnerable, but he/she will also begin to show growth. will also begin to show growth.

•  •  The hero finds parts of himself The hero finds parts of himself he was unaware of and he was unaware of and assimilates his unexpected self assimilates his unexpected self (psyche).(psyche).

This takes place all though his This takes place all though his times with the genie, as well as times with the genie, as well as when he does not have it.when he does not have it.

The Meeting with the The Meeting with the Goddess Goddess

•  •  The hero meets a "goddess" The hero meets a "goddess" that shows him/her what that shows him/her what perfection is truly like. The hero perfection is truly like. The hero witnesses all that can be witnesses all that can be accomplished and often times, accomplished and often times, his/her mission becomes much his/her mission becomes much clearer. The goddess encourages clearer. The goddess encourages the hero to continue. the hero to continue.

•   •   This goddess may be a This goddess may be a physical person or may be some physical person or may be some feminine symbol.feminine symbol.

The goddess in this story would The goddess in this story would be the princess, showing Aladdin be the princess, showing Aladdin how to get by.how to get by.

The Woman as the The Woman as the Temptress Temptress

•  •  The hero meets a presence that The hero meets a presence that attempts to destroy the hero's attempts to destroy the hero's mission. Often the temptress is mission. Often the temptress is sent by the evil forces working sent by the evil forces working against the hero in order to try to against the hero in order to try to stop the hero. stop the hero.

•  •  The hero is misled into giving The hero is misled into giving up. "This is the easy way out." up. "This is the easy way out." "Stop now or you will be "Stop now or you will be destroyed." "Join us; you will be destroyed." "Join us; you will be happy here.“happy here.“

The Temptress in this story would The Temptress in this story would be Jafar and his plan to stop be Jafar and his plan to stop Aladdin from marrying the Aladdin from marrying the princess.princess.

Atonement with FatherAtonement with Father •   •   Father symbolizes judgment; Father symbolizes judgment;

the hero overcomes fear, the hero overcomes fear, judgment, and mental blocks that judgment, and mental blocks that may have been holding him/her may have been holding him/her back. back.

•   •   This stage shows growth and This stage shows growth and the ability to take on adult the ability to take on adult responsibilities.\responsibilities.\

The Father in this story is the The Father in this story is the genie, who helps Aladdin grow to genie, who helps Aladdin grow to who he was at the end of the who he was at the end of the story.story.

The Ultimate BoonThe Ultimate Boon •  •  The hero receives the prize The hero receives the prize

that he/she has been after. that he/she has been after. •  •  The boon may come in the form The boon may come in the form

a physical rewards (like the a physical rewards (like the dragon's treasure), but will more dragon's treasure), but will more importantly include a importantly include a mental/emotional reward (like mental/emotional reward (like inner peace).inner peace).

The Ultimate Boon in this story is The Ultimate Boon in this story is Aladdin finally getting the Aladdin finally getting the princess to like him.princess to like him.

ReturnReturn

Magic in FlightMagic in Flight •  •  There is a difficulty in the There is a difficulty in the

hero's return; the world has hero's return; the world has changed and so has the hero. The changed and so has the hero. The hero may not be accepted back to hero may not be accepted back to his old world. He may feel his old world. He may feel awkward in his immediate return. awkward in his immediate return.

•  •  The returning hero must The returning hero must survive the impact of the world; survive the impact of the world; he may not be able to verbalize he may not be able to verbalize the wisdom he has gained the wisdom he has gained through his journey.through his journey.

This part of the Hero’s Journey This part of the Hero’s Journey happens when Aladdin returns to happens when Aladdin returns to his home to fight Jafar.his home to fight Jafar.

Rescue from WithoutRescue from Without •  •  The world may have to come to The world may have to come to

retrieve the hero. Attaining the retrieve the hero. Attaining the boon has drained the hero and boon has drained the hero and he/she needs assistance in he/she needs assistance in returning. returning.

•   •   This is sometimes a blow to This is sometimes a blow to the hero's ego, but the hero will the hero's ego, but the hero will recover because he sees the big recover because he sees the big picture and have accomplished a picture and have accomplished a great deed.great deed.

This occurs when Aladdin is in This occurs when Aladdin is in the tunnel, and the magic carpet the tunnel, and the magic carpet helps them out.helps them out.

Crossing the Return Crossing the Return Threshold Threshold

•  •  There is a difficulty in the There is a difficulty in the hero's return; the world has hero's return; the world has changed and so has the hero. The changed and so has the hero. The hero may not be accepted back to hero may not be accepted back to his old world. He may feel his old world. He may feel awkward in his immediate return. awkward in his immediate return.

•  •  The returning hero must The returning hero must survive the impact of the world; survive the impact of the world; he may not be able to verbalize he may not be able to verbalize the wisdom he has gained the wisdom he has gained through his journey.through his journey.

This occurs when he must fight This occurs when he must fight Jafar when he gets the genie and Jafar when he gets the genie and becomes Sultan. becomes Sultan.

Master of Two WorldsMaster of Two Worlds •  •  Hero has attained wisdom in Hero has attained wisdom in

both the spiritual and material both the spiritual and material world (conscious world). world (conscious world).

•  •  The hero gives up completely The hero gives up completely all attachment to his personal all attachment to his personal limitations, hopes and fears.limitations, hopes and fears.

He obtains this when he has He obtains this when he has defeated Jafar, and he is not defeated Jafar, and he is not afraid of anyone.afraid of anyone.

The The End!End!