hero’s journey. steps of the journey archetypes
TRANSCRIPT
Hero’sHero’sJourneyJourney
Steps of the JourneySteps of the Journey
ArchetypesArchetypes
StepsSteps
Ordinary WorldOrdinary WorldCall to AdventureCall to AdventureRefusal of the CallRefusal of the CallMeeting with the MentorMeeting with the MentorCrossing the First ThresholdCrossing the First ThresholdTest, Allies, and EnemiesTest, Allies, and EnemiesApproaching the Inmost CaveApproaching the Inmost CaveSupreme OrdealSupreme OrdealRewardRewardRoad BackRoad BackResurrectionResurrectionReturn with the ElixirReturn with the Elixir
ArchetypesArchetypes
HeroHeroHeraldHeraldThreshold GuardianThreshold GuardianMentorMentorTricksterTricksterShapeshifterShapeshifterShadowShadowSidekicksSidekicksHenchmenHenchmen
Journey
Marks a transition from childhood to adulthood
If Hero is an adult, they overcome a flaw, often one that is psychological
The Hero’s job is to…
RESTORE BALANCERESTORE BALANCE
Three Basic Types of Journeys
Quest for the Elixir
Slay the Dragon
Rescue the Maiden
Quest for Elixir
Slay the DragonSlay the Dragon
TheseusTheseus
Rescue the Maiden
ArchetypesArchetypes
HeroHeroHeraldHeraldThreshold GuardianThreshold GuardianMentorMentorTricksterTricksterShapeshifterShapeshifterShadowShadowSidekicksSidekicksHenchmenHenchmen
Early HeroesEarly Heroes
BeowulfBeowulf
TheseusTheseus
HerculesHercules
HeroHero
Divine Right of Kings Divine Right of Kings
King ArthurKing Arthur
HeroHero
ProtagonistProtagonistNoble BirthNoble BirthOften has a flaw that will be worked out Often has a flaw that will be worked out during story CHARACTER ARCduring story CHARACTER ARCSpecial AbilitySpecial Abilityfrom whom something has been taken from whom something has been taken feels something is lacking from the normal feels something is lacking from the normal experiences available or permitted to the experiences available or permitted to the members of his society members of his society
StepsSteps
Ordinary WorldOrdinary WorldCall to AdventureCall to AdventureRefusal of the CallRefusal of the CallMeeting with the MentorMeeting with the MentorCrossing the First ThresholdCrossing the First ThresholdTest, Allies, and EnemiesTest, Allies, and EnemiesApproaching the Inmost CaveApproaching the Inmost CaveSupreme OrdealSupreme OrdealRewardRewardRoad BackRoad BackResurrectionResurrectionReturn with the ElixirReturn with the Elixir
ORDINARY WORLDORDINARY WORLD
Hero in mundane surroundingsHero in mundane surroundings
At homeAt home
At workAt work
StepsSteps
Ordinary WorldOrdinary World
Call to AdventureCall to AdventureRefusal of the CallRefusal of the CallMeeting with the MentorMeeting with the MentorCrossing the First ThresholdCrossing the First ThresholdTest, Allies, and EnemiesTest, Allies, and EnemiesApproaching the Inmost CaveApproaching the Inmost CaveSupreme OrdealSupreme OrdealRewardRewardRoad BackRoad BackResurrectionResurrectionReturn with the ElixirReturn with the Elixir
Call to AdventureCall to Adventure
Hero receives a call to adventure Hero receives a call to adventure
Call can be in many formsCall can be in many forms– Odysseus – Calypso tells him he can goOdysseus – Calypso tells him he can go– JAWS – phone call to Brody JAWS – phone call to Brody – Wizard of OZ – TornadoWizard of OZ – Tornado– Lion King – Nala tells Simba of pride’s Lion King – Nala tells Simba of pride’s
misfortunesmisfortunes
ArchetypesArchetypes
HeroHero
HeraldHeraldThreshold GuardianThreshold GuardianMentorMentorTricksterTricksterShapeshifterShapeshifterShadowShadowSidekicksSidekicksHenchmenHenchmen
HERALD HERALD
Brings the news to the HeroBrings the news to the Hero
CharacterCharacter
EventEvent
ObjectObject
StepsSteps
Ordinary WorldOrdinary WorldCall to AdventureCall to Adventure
Refusal of the CallRefusal of the CallMeeting with the MentorMeeting with the MentorCrossing the First ThresholdCrossing the First ThresholdTest, Allies, and EnemiesTest, Allies, and EnemiesApproaching the Inmost CaveApproaching the Inmost CaveSupreme OrdealSupreme OrdealRewardRewardRoad BackRoad BackResurrectionResurrectionReturn with the ElixirReturn with the Elixir
Refusal of the CallRefusal of the Call
Hero refuses to go on adventureHero refuses to go on adventure
– InternalInternal
– ExternalExternal
ArchetypesArchetypes
HeroHeroHeraldHerald
Threshold GuardianThreshold GuardianMentorMentorTricksterTricksterShapeshifterShapeshifterShadowShadowSidekicksSidekicksHenchmenHenchmen
Threshold GuardiansThreshold Guardians
Aunt and Uncle in Harry PotterAunt and Uncle in Harry Potter
Fear of water in JawsFear of water in Jaws
Uncle in Star WarsUncle in Star Wars
Guilt over father’s death – Lion KingGuilt over father’s death – Lion King
Distrust of Calypso - OdysseusDistrust of Calypso - Odysseus
StepsSteps
Ordinary WorldOrdinary WorldCall to AdventureCall to AdventureRefusal of the CallRefusal of the Call
Meeting with the MentorMeeting with the MentorCrossing the First ThresholdCrossing the First ThresholdTest, Allies, and EnemiesTest, Allies, and EnemiesApproaching the Inmost CaveApproaching the Inmost CaveSupreme OrdealSupreme OrdealRewardRewardRoad BackRoad BackResurrectionResurrectionReturn with the ElixirReturn with the Elixir
Meeting with the MentorMeeting with the Mentor
Mentor’s role is to get Hero to accept Call Mentor’s role is to get Hero to accept Call to Adventureto Adventure
Often teaches the Hero how to survive in Often teaches the Hero how to survive in Magical WorldMagical World
Is often an older man or woman and was a Is often an older man or woman and was a Hero in his/her own storyHero in his/her own story
Usually dies or leaves so hero can face Usually dies or leaves so hero can face Shadow aloneShadow alone
ArchetypesArchetypes
HeroHeroHeraldHeraldThreshold GuardianThreshold Guardian
MentorMentorTricksterTricksterShapeshifterShapeshifterShadowShadowSidekicksSidekicksHenchmenHenchmen
MentorMentor
Mentor – Odysseus - TelemachusMentor – Odysseus - TelemachusObi Wan KenobiObi Wan KenobiRafiki – Lion KingRafiki – Lion KingMatt Hooper – JawsMatt Hooper – JawsGlinda – Wizard of OzGlinda – Wizard of OzFairy Godmother – Ashenputtle CinderellaFairy Godmother – Ashenputtle CinderellaDumbledore – Harry PotterDumbledore – Harry PotterMorpheus – The MatrixMorpheus – The Matrix
Special WeaponSpecial Weapon
The Mentor often gives the Hero a special The Mentor often gives the Hero a special weapon or special knowledgeweapon or special knowledge
This weapon is often what allows the Hero This weapon is often what allows the Hero to complete their questto complete their quest
Perseus – Athena’s Shield and Herme’s Perseus – Athena’s Shield and Herme’s SwordSword
StepsStepsOrdinary WorldOrdinary WorldCall to AdventureCall to AdventureRefusal of the CallRefusal of the CallMeeting with the MentorMeeting with the Mentor
Crossing the First ThresholdCrossing the First ThresholdTest, Allies, and EnemiesTest, Allies, and EnemiesApproaching the Inmost CaveApproaching the Inmost CaveSupreme OrdealSupreme OrdealRewardRewardRoad BackRoad BackResurrectionResurrectionReturn with the ElixirReturn with the Elixir
Crossing the First ThresholdCrossing the First Threshold
Hero crosses from Ordinary World into Hero crosses from Ordinary World into Magical WorldMagical World
Often crosses a special portal or boundaryOften crosses a special portal or boundary– Platform 9 ¾ - Harry PotterPlatform 9 ¾ - Harry Potter– Mos Eisley – Star WarsMos Eisley – Star Wars– Landing in Oz Landing in Oz – Leaving Ogyia – OdysseusLeaving Ogyia – Odysseus– Wardrobe – Chronicles of NarniaWardrobe – Chronicles of Narnia
Tests, Allies and EnemiesTests, Allies and Enemies
Hero learns about rules in Magical WorldHero learns about rules in Magical World
Hero is REACTIVEHero is REACTIVE
Mentor trains HeroMentor trains Hero
Hero is tested Hero is tested
Watering Hole – Hero often meets Watering Hole – Hero often meets potential allies and henchmen of the potential allies and henchmen of the Shadow at a bar, restaurant, or similar Shadow at a bar, restaurant, or similar type scenetype scene
Watering HoleWatering Hole
Sorting Hat Ceremony – Harry PotterSorting Hat Ceremony – Harry Potter
Space Port Bar – Star WarsSpace Port Bar – Star Wars
Many feasts and sacrificesMany feasts and sacrifices
Simba learns to eat bugsSimba learns to eat bugs
A place to meet other archetypes such as A place to meet other archetypes such as Trickster, Shapeshifter, Sidekicks, and Trickster, Shapeshifter, Sidekicks, and HenchmenHenchmen
Your school’s Watering Hole?Your school’s Watering Hole?
Training
Tests
ArchetypesArchetypes
HeroHeroHeraldHeraldThreshold GuardianThreshold GuardianMentorMentor
TricksterTricksterShapeshifterShapeshifterShadowShadowSidekicksSidekicksHenchmenHenchmen
TricksterTrickster
Provides comic relief Provides comic relief
Unpredictable CrazyUnpredictable Crazy
Often gets Hero into Often gets Hero into troubletrouble
May be aligned with Hero, May be aligned with Hero, Shadow or IndependentShadow or Independent
ArchetypesArchetypes
HeroHeroHeraldHeraldThreshold GuardianThreshold GuardianMentorMentorTricksterTrickster
ShapeshifterShapeshifterShadowShadowSidekicksSidekicksHenchmenHenchmen
ShapeshifterShapeshifter
Difficult to determine the Shapeshifter’s Difficult to determine the Shapeshifter’s allegianceallegiance
Their allegiance often changes or appears Their allegiance often changes or appears to changeto change
Adds to dramatic tensionAdds to dramatic tension
ProteusProteus
ZeusZeus
Femme fatal in love storiesFemme fatal in love stories
ArchetypesArchetypes
HeroHeroHeraldHeraldThreshold GuardianThreshold GuardianMentorMentorTricksterTricksterShapeshifterShapeshifter
ShadowShadowSidekicksSidekicksHenchmenHenchmen
ShadowShadow
Shadow often represents what the Hero fears in Shadow often represents what the Hero fears in him/herselfhim/herself
Quality of the Shadow is critical to success of the storyQuality of the Shadow is critical to success of the story
Rival in love storiesRival in love stories
The Shadow character is normally filled with a huge The Shadow character is normally filled with a huge amount of repressed energy and emotion, aspects of the amount of repressed energy and emotion, aspects of the protagonist that have festered from lack of expression. protagonist that have festered from lack of expression.
ArchetypesArchetypes
HeroHeroHeraldHeraldThreshold GuardianThreshold GuardianMentorMentorTricksterTricksterShapeshifterShapeshifterShadowShadow
SidekicksSidekicksHenchmenHenchmen
Sidekicks - AlliesSidekicks - Allies
Hero’s helpersHero’s helpers
Trusted servant Trusted servant
May have qualities of other ArchetypesMay have qualities of other Archetypes
– TricksterTrickster
– ShapeshifterShapeshifter
ArchetypesArchetypes
HeroHeroHeraldHeraldThreshold GuardianThreshold GuardianMentorMentorTricksterTricksterShapeshifterShapeshifterShadowShadowSidekicksSidekicks
HenchmenHenchmen
HenchmenHenchmen
The Shadow’s helpersThe Shadow’s helpers
May be quite memorable charactersMay be quite memorable characters
StepsStepsOrdinary WorldOrdinary WorldCall to AdventureCall to AdventureRefusal of the CallRefusal of the CallMeeting with the MentorMeeting with the MentorCrossing the First ThresholdCrossing the First ThresholdTest, Allies, and EnemiesTest, Allies, and Enemies
Approach to the Inmost Approach to the Inmost CaveCaveSupreme OrdealSupreme OrdealRewardRewardRoad BackRoad BackResurrectionResurrectionReturn with the ElixirReturn with the Elixir
Approach to the Inmost CaveApproach to the Inmost Cave
Hero becomes PROACTIVEHero becomes PROACTIVE
Hero gets his comrades togetherHero gets his comrades together
Hero makes plansHero makes plans
Crossing of another threshold to go Crossing of another threshold to go deeper into Magical Worlddeeper into Magical World
StepsSteps
Ordinary WorldOrdinary WorldCall to AdventureCall to AdventureRefusal of the CallRefusal of the CallMeeting with the MentorMeeting with the MentorCrossing the First ThresholdCrossing the First ThresholdTest, Allies, and EnemiesTest, Allies, and EnemiesApproaching the Inmost CaveApproaching the Inmost Cave
Supreme OrdealSupreme OrdealRewardRewardRoad BackRoad BackResurrectionResurrectionReturn with the ElixirReturn with the Elixir
Supreme OrdealSupreme Ordeal
Hero appears to dieHero appears to die
Hero witnesses death – often the Mentor dies Hero witnesses death – often the Mentor dies herehere
Hero causes deathHero causes death
Hero faces Shadow or Shadow’s top HenchmenHero faces Shadow or Shadow’s top Henchmen
Supreme OrdealSupreme Ordeal
Sometimes the Supreme Ordeal is the Sometimes the Supreme Ordeal is the finale. If so, the rest of the journey is as finale. If so, the rest of the journey is as follows:follows:
– RewardReward
– Return with the elixirReturn with the elixir
StepsSteps
Ordinary WorldOrdinary WorldCall to AdventureCall to AdventureRefusal of the CallRefusal of the CallMeeting with the MentorMeeting with the MentorCrossing the First ThresholdCrossing the First ThresholdTest, Allies, and EnemiesTest, Allies, and EnemiesApproaching the Inmost CaveApproaching the Inmost CaveSupreme OrdealSupreme Ordeal
RewardRewardRoad BackRoad BackResurrectionResurrectionReturn with the ElixirReturn with the Elixir
RewardReward
Hero gets the Elixir Hero gets the Elixir
Rescues the maidenRescues the maiden
One last respite before finaleOne last respite before finale
If Hero loses Supreme Ordeal they escapeIf Hero loses Supreme Ordeal they escape
StepsSteps
Ordinary WorldOrdinary WorldCall to AdventureCall to AdventureRefusal of the CallRefusal of the CallMeeting with the MentorMeeting with the MentorCrossing the First ThresholdCrossing the First ThresholdTest, Allies, and EnemiesTest, Allies, and EnemiesApproaching the Inmost CaveApproaching the Inmost CaveSupreme OrdealSupreme OrdealRewardReward
Road BackRoad BackResurrectionResurrectionReturn with the ElixirReturn with the Elixir
Road BackRoad Back
Shadow chases Hero to get Elixir backShadow chases Hero to get Elixir back
Hero chases Shadow to destroy him/herHero chases Shadow to destroy him/her
If Hero loses the Supreme Ordeal, she If Hero loses the Supreme Ordeal, she now rallies the troops and/or prepares to now rallies the troops and/or prepares to have one last battle with Shadowhave one last battle with Shadow
StepsSteps
Ordinary WorldOrdinary WorldCall to AdventureCall to AdventureRefusal of the CallRefusal of the CallMeeting with the MentorMeeting with the MentorCrossing the First ThresholdCrossing the First ThresholdTest, Allies, and EnemiesTest, Allies, and EnemiesApproaching the Inmost CaveApproaching the Inmost CaveSupreme OrdealSupreme OrdealRewardRewardRoad BackRoad Back
ResurrectionResurrectionReturn with the ElixirReturn with the Elixir
ResurrectionResurrection
Final showdown between Hero and Final showdown between Hero and ShadowShadow
Hero must face Shadow aloneHero must face Shadow alone
Death and rebirth of Hero – Hero must Death and rebirth of Hero – Hero must overcome character flaw in order to defeat overcome character flaw in order to defeat the Shadowthe Shadow
StepsSteps
Ordinary WorldOrdinary WorldCall to AdventureCall to AdventureRefusal of the CallRefusal of the CallMeeting with the MentorMeeting with the MentorCrossing the First ThresholdCrossing the First ThresholdTest, Allies, and EnemiesTest, Allies, and EnemiesApproaching the Inmost CaveApproaching the Inmost CaveSupreme OrdealSupreme OrdealRewardRewardRoad BackRoad BackResurrectionResurrection
Return with the ElixirReturn with the Elixir
Return with the ElixirReturn with the ElixirHero returns to Ordinary WorldHero returns to Ordinary World
Rightful King takes placeRightful King takes place
Balance is restored via return of the elixirBalance is restored via return of the elixir
Monster is slainMonster is slain
Princess is returnedPrincess is returned
Hero may be recognized by villagersHero may be recognized by villagers
Boy has become a manBoy has become a man
Girl has become a womanGirl has become a woman