Joseph campbell’s

the hero’s journey

an archetypal story

Let’s start with this:

Q: What is an ARCHETYPE?

A: It’s just a fancy way of

explaining a PATTERN, TYPE OF

CHARARACTER, or TYPE OF STORY

that is repeated in literature, film,

TV shows, etc.

THE HERO’S JOURNEY is one of the oldest story ARCHETYPES on

the planet

Meet JOSEPH CAMPBELL(1904-1987)

He was the world’s foremost authority on mythology–he identified the “STEPS” of THE HERO’S JOURNEY

In his book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Campbell asserted that ALL STORYTELLING

FOLLOWS THE ANCENT PATTERNS OF MYTH…

This makes THE HERO’S JOURNEY A MONOMYTH. This means ALL STORIES INVOLVING HEROES follow a universal pattern.

CAMPBELL KNEW THAT HEROES ARE CENTRAL TO THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE, an essential part of our storytelling.—that they serve a purpose which transcends society, culture, and time.

He believed:

“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” –

AND-

“The adventure of the hero is the adventure of being alive.”

Campbell was such an expert on heroes that George Lucas (creator of Star Wars)

consulted with him while writing the scripts for the first Star Wars trilogy.

Think about your favorite hero in a book, a movie, or both…who is it?

Well…guess what? Whoever your hero is, he or she follows Campbell’s STEPS OF THE HERO’S JOURNEY!

Keep this in mind as we take you through the steps…as we do so, try to “plot” how your hero handled his or her journey.

P.s. also think about what makes your character a hero in the first place. What qualities does he or she have to have to qualify as a hero in your eyes?

Also, before we move on to the STEPS, be on the lookout for certain CHARACTER

ARCHETYPES you will identify throughout…

1. THE HERO

{OF COURSE! YOU ALREADY KNEW THAT! }

THE HERO is…

Usually the main character—a person who needs to learn something in the story

Note: there can be several heroes along the way (we will discuss that further)

Think about who is the “chosen” one…the hero who will ultimately be responsible for fulfilling some kind of quest?

2. THE MENTOR

THE MENTOR is…

A wise person or animal who provides guidance to the hero—usually giving him magical gifts or advice for the journey ahead

Oftentimes we will see the mentor archetype coaxing the hero archetype to undertake the adventure

Usually the hero is resistant to the challenge—he or she doesn’t want to take the risk! More on that later…

3. THE TRICKSTER

THE TRICKSTER is…

The “wise-fool”—someone who uses tricks and jokes to guide the hero

Typically, we are unsure if the trickster archetype is good for the hero, or not-so-good for the hero

The trickster keeps us, as well as the hero guessing!

4. THE SHADOW

THE SHADOW …

Represents our darkest desire, untapped resources, or rejected qualities

Oftentimes has “anti-hero” or “fallen hero” qualities

The function of the shadow archetype is to challenge the hero, to provide a worthy opponent in the hero’s struggle

*Most shadows do not see themselves as villians, but merely the heroes of their own myths…

5. THE SHAPESHIFTER

THE SHAPESHIFTER is…

A character who “changes appearance” to disrupt the adventure

The shapeshifter archetype serves the dramatic function of bringing doubt and suspense into a story

The mask of the shapeshifter may be worn by any character in the story—and is often expressed by a character whose loyalty and true nature are always in question

6. THE HERALD

THE HERALD …

Issues challenges and announces the coming of significant “shaking up” of the status quo

Because of this announcement, the hero’s situation shifts—nothing is ever the same again

The herald archetype serves the important psychological function of representing a need for change

But…like most of us, adapting to change is quite uncomfortable for the hero!

7. THRESHOLD GUARDIAN

THE THRESHOLD GUARDIAN …

Protects the special world and its secrets from the hero—providing tests for the hero to prove his or her worth

If properly understood, these guardians can be overcome, bypassed, or turned into allies

Threshold guardians are not the main villain; they are often the “henchmen” of the villain

On a deeper psychological level, threshold guardians represent our internal demons—their function is not necessarily to stop the hero but to test if he or she is really determined to accept the challenge of change

*NOW THAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THE DIFFERENT CHARACTER ARCHETYPES,

WHERE DO THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES FIT IN?

Annakin SkywalkerStar Wars Sequel Trilogy

Once a hero, Annakin Skywalker goes to “the dark side”, and becomes Darth Vader.

Sadly, this makes him…

- A SHADOW -

Next example:Who is this? What character

archetype does she represent?

Katniss EverdeenThe Hunger Games

- HERO-

How about him? What part does he play?

GandalfThe Lord of the Rings

- MENTOR -

How about him? How does he fit in with the rest of the character

archetypes?

Jacob BlackTwilight

- SHAPESHIFTER -

What purpose does this character serve? Which archetype is he?

The White RabbitAlice in Wonderland

- HERALD -

How about this guy? Who is he? Where does he fit in as a

character archetype?

GollumThe Lord of the Rings

- TRICKSTER -

And the last of the character archetypes…

OrcsThe Hobbit

- THRESHOLD GUARDIANS -

HOW MANY DID YOU GET RIGHT?Now that you are now an expert on

CHARACTER ARCHETYPES…

LET’S MOVE ONTO THE 12 STEPS OF THE HERO’S JOURNEY!

1. ORDINARY WORLD

The hero’s normal, everyday (often mundane) world before the journey begins…

2. CALL TO ADVENTURE

The hero is presented with a problem, challenge, or adventure to undertake…

3. REFUSAL OF THE CALL

The hero is reluctant, and initially refuses the challenge or journey—usually out of fear.

4. MEETING WITH THE MENTOR

The hero meets a mentor to gain confidence, advice, or training to face the adventure

5. CROSSING THE FIRST THRESHOLD

The hero crosses the gateway that separates the ordinary world from a new, special world. No going back now!

6. TESTS, ALLIES & ENEMIES

The hero faces tests, meets allies, confronts enemies, & learns the rules of the new world in which he finds himself.

7. APPROACH

The hero has hit setbacks during his tests. He may need to reorganize his helpers, or rekindle morale with mentor’s rally cry. High drama…stakes heighten!

8. ORDEAL

The biggest life or death crisis hits. The hero encounters his greatest fear—only through facing death can he be “reborn”. He now experiences even greater powers to see the journey to the end.

9. REWARD

The hero has survived death and overcome his greatest fear, earning the reward he sought. The Reward may come in many forms: an object of great importance or power, a secret, greater knowledge or insight, or even reconciliation with a loved one or ally. Whatever the treasure, which may well facilitate his return to the Ordinary World, the Hero must quickly put celebrations aside and prepare for the last leg of his journey.

10. THE ROAD BACK

The hero must recommit to completing the journey & travel back to the Ordinary World. But the road back is often dangerous…

11. RESURRECTION

The hero faces the most dangerous meeting with death. He overcomes it, showing he can apply all the wisdom he will bring back to the Ordinary World.

12. RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR

The hero returns from the journey with the “elixir” for everyone in his world to use to heal physical or emotional wounds. He has fulfilled his purpose and comes back changed for the better. The “elixir” represents a new beginning in which fear is conquered, insights and freedom are gained, and the greater good is restored. Resolution!

“The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.” –Joseph Campbell

Look for this formula in books, movies, and TV shows, but also in

YOUR OWN LIFE…

Remember: humans reflect on our world through symbolic stories of our lives.

AND…

Think about how YOU ARE CALLED upon to leave your comfort zone, have an experience that transforms you, recover, and do it again.