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An Archetypal StoryThe Hero's JourneyArchetype: A pattern, such as a type of character or type of story, that is repeated in literature.The heros journey is one of the oldest story archetypes on the planet.

Some say its older than the Pyramids

And StonehengeAnd even cave drawings.(Vogler)

The components of the heros journey were identified and developed by Joseph Campbell, who was the worlds 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

that all stories use elements of the Heros Journey. Campbell called this archetype aMonomyth.

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

The function of the story is to entertain, to instruct, and to inspire.The heros journeyis a metaphorfor life itself.

Part I:SeparationBreaking away from the old lifeA. The Call to AdventureThe hero is invited to leave a mundane life and seek adventure.Odysseus is called tofight the Trojan War

Pinocchio wants to become areal boy.Dorothy wantsto leave Kansas.

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

Dorothy runs back to the farm and Auntie Em. A storm is brewing.Luke Skywalker doesnt have time for the adventure - he has to help his Uncle Owen on the moisture farm.

The hero receives a gift to help on the journey.

C. Supernatural Aid

The rubyslippersA conscience

Luke receives his lightsaber from Obi-Wan Kenobi.

D. Crossing the First ThresholdThe hero leaves the old world behind and enters the new.

Dorothy is carried away to Oz by the tornado.

Luke Skywalker leaves his home on Tatooine.

E. The Belly of the Whale Like Jonah and Pinocchio, the hero experiences the dark night of the soul and must face his faults and the truth.

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.

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

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

The message is that we all have a shadow self and must deal with it at some point in our lives.Part II

InitiationDuring the Initiation phase, the hero learns how to live in the new world.A. The Road of TrialsThe hero learns that life in the world of adventure can be difficult.

B. Meeting with the GoddessA wise or magical woman gives guidance or advice to the hero.

C. Battle with the DragonThe hero must confront and vanquish a malevolent being.

D. TemptationSomeone or something tries to distract the hero from his goal. Circe the witch tries to keep Odysseus on her island.

E. Atonement with the FatherThe hero resolves his/her issues with a parent figure.

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

I am a Jedi, like my fatherbefore me!

No!

But youve always had thepower togo home!

G. The Ultimate BoonThe hero succeeds in his/her mission.

Dorothy returns to Emerald City with the witchs broom.G. The Ultimate BoonThe hero succeeds in his mission.

Luke destroys the Death Star.

Part III.The ReturnA. Refusal of ReturnThe hero wonders if its possible to return to the old life. How can I go back?B. Magic FlightUpon deciding to return home, the hero must flee from yet another danger.(Here, flight refers to fleeing, not flying, though sometimes flying is involved.)

Theres no place likehome.C. Rescue from WithoutThe hero escapes with a little outside help.Deus ex Machina (God in a machine)

Dodge this!D. Crossing the Return ThresholdFinally, the hero returns to Kansas.

E. Mastery of Two WorldsThe hero realizes that s/he can be at home in two worlds. S/he is wiser and more confident.F. Freedom to LiveHaving faced evil - both from within and without - the hero is free from powerlessness and fear.

Common Mythic ElementsLike the inevitable chase scene in action films,

this monomyth contains some standard features.The Young Hero who yearns for adventure.

Two worlds:

The MundaneAnd the Fantastic

The Mentor who trains the hero in special skills.

The Oracle

A wise - almost omniscient - seer who guides the hero.The ProphecyA legend or ancient prophecy that the hero is expected to fulfill.

Failed HeroThe guy who didnt make it.

In Memory of Biggs DarklighterWearing the Enemys SkinThe hero must disguise himself as the enemy.

The Shape ShifterAn archetypal friend or enemy with ambiguous or shifting loyalties.

Why?The monomyth of the heros journey helps us answer the most profound questions of the universe.Why am I here?is there suffering?Whatis the meaning of life?Profound: from the Latin profundus, meaning just before the bottom or at the edge of death.(Brennan)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)We are all heroes on our separate journeys

and our mission is to make the world a better place.ReferencesBrennan, 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 Writers Journey. 2002. Michael Weiss Productions. 20 Sept. 2002.

Written and produced by Mollie KelleherMMIIWhat it IsWritten & performed by Mark KnopflerTeacher of English Longmont High SchoolSt. Vrain Valley School DistrictAdapted and edited by Matthew OpalTeacher of EnglishSilver Creek High SchoolSt. Vrain Valley School DistrictFollow your bliss. - Joseph Campbell