The Epic HeroThe Epic Hero

A Call to AdventureA Call to Adventure“You must go with me to Alderaan.” -Obi-Wan Kenobi“You must go with me to Alderaan.” -Obi-Wan Kenobi

The hero starts out living an ordinary life.The hero starts out living an ordinary life. He or she is called to go on a quest, often by a He or she is called to go on a quest, often by a

“mentor.”“mentor.” Glinda the Good Witch tells Dorothy she must visit the Wizard Glinda the Good Witch tells Dorothy she must visit the Wizard

of Ozof Oz Obi-Wan Kenobi asks Luke Skywalker to help destroy the Obi-Wan Kenobi asks Luke Skywalker to help destroy the

EmpireEmpire Gandalf enlists Frodo’s help to destroy the One Ring.Gandalf enlists Frodo’s help to destroy the One Ring.

The hero might doubt that he or she is capable of The hero might doubt that he or she is capable of completing a quest, and “refuse the call.” completing a quest, and “refuse the call.”

However, the mentor encourages the hero or even However, the mentor encourages the hero or even gives magical items to help.gives magical items to help.

The Hero’s JourneyThe Hero’s Journey“We’re off to see the Wizard.” -Dorothy“We’re off to see the Wizard.” -Dorothy

The hero goes through many trials on his or her The hero goes through many trials on his or her way to achieving the quest.way to achieving the quest.

““Threshold guardians” will block their way to new Threshold guardians” will block their way to new places. The hero must either outsmart or defeat places. The hero must either outsmart or defeat them.them.

Allies join the hero to help.Allies join the hero to help. The Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion help DorothyThe Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion help Dorothy Luke and Obi-Wan hire Han Solo and ChewbaccaLuke and Obi-Wan hire Han Solo and Chewbacca The Fellowship of the Ring journey with FrodoThe Fellowship of the Ring journey with Frodo

Showdown with a ShadowShowdown with a Shadow““The force is with you, young Skywalker, The force is with you, young Skywalker, but you are not a Jedi yet.” -Darth Vaderbut you are not a Jedi yet.” -Darth Vader

A “shadow” represents the dark side of the hero. A “shadow” represents the dark side of the hero. The Wicked Witch: an evil user of magicThe Wicked Witch: an evil user of magic Darth Vader: a fallen Jedi who uses the “dark side” of the Darth Vader: a fallen Jedi who uses the “dark side” of the

ForceForce Gollum: a hobbit corrupted by the One RingGollum: a hobbit corrupted by the One Ring

The shadow stands in the hero’s way of achieving The shadow stands in the hero’s way of achieving his or her goal.his or her goal.

Only the hero may fight the shadow. The hero’s Only the hero may fight the shadow. The hero’s mentor or his or her allies are not allowed to mentor or his or her allies are not allowed to interfere.interfere.

Claiming the PrizeClaiming the Prize “What have you learned, Dorothy?” -The Tin Man“What have you learned, Dorothy?” -The Tin Man

The hero defeats the shadow and is able The hero defeats the shadow and is able to finish his or her quest. to finish his or her quest.

The hero returns back home as a The hero returns back home as a different person then when the quest different person then when the quest started.started.

Sometimes the mentor or the allies leave Sometimes the mentor or the allies leave the hero, knowing that the quest is the hero, knowing that the quest is completed. completed.

There and Back AgainThere and Back Again“There’s no place like home.” -Dorothy“There’s no place like home.” -Dorothy

Others may not recognize the hero when he or she Others may not recognize the hero when he or she returns home because the hero has changed.returns home because the hero has changed.

Sometimes the hero has to clean up or fix Sometimes the hero has to clean up or fix something that happened to his or her hometown something that happened to his or her hometown when the hero was on the quest.when the hero was on the quest.

The hero has help along the way from magical The hero has help along the way from magical items, mentors, and allies, but it is ultimately items, mentors, and allies, but it is ultimately what’s inside the hero that helps the hero win.what’s inside the hero that helps the hero win.

Hero CharacteristicsHero Characteristics

The hero is introduced in the middle of the story’s The hero is introduced in the middle of the story’s action; previous events will be recounted in flashbacks.action; previous events will be recounted in flashbacks.

The hero is not only a warrior and a leader, but also a The hero is not only a warrior and a leader, but also a polished speaker.polished speaker.

The hero, often a demi-god, possesses weapons of The hero, often a demi-god, possesses weapons of great size and power, which are often presents from great size and power, which are often presents from the gods.the gods.

Odysseus’ bowOdysseus’ bow The hero must undertake a long, perilous journey, The hero must undertake a long, perilous journey,

often involving a descent into the Underworld, which often involving a descent into the Underworld, which tests his endurance, courage, and craftiness.tests his endurance, courage, and craftiness.