The Hero’s Journey

1. ordinary world / the world of common day – exposition and setting

• Hero is living an ordinary life.

• Hero may be unaware of unusual circumstances surrounding his birth.

• Hero does not know his potential or calling.

2. the herald / call to adventure

• Hero is given notice that everything in his life is going to change

3. refusal of the call / reluctant hero

• Often when the call is given, the hero at first refuses to heed it.

• This may be from a sense of obligation or duty, fear, insecurity, a sense of inadequacy, or any range of reasons.

4. meeting the wise mentor

This occurs after

the hero as committed

to the quest.

crossing the threshold

• the first step on the journey

• hero leaves his ordinary world

• separation from the familiar

• may happen before or after meeting the mentor

5. The journey continues with tests, allies, and enemies – rising action

Tests (sometimes the hero

fails one or more

of these tests; tests

often occur in

threes)

Allies

and

Enemies

6. approach the inmost cave(not a literal cave)

• hero enters a dangerous place

• a low point

• hope is lost

• may follow a failure

revisiting the mentor

Hero then returns, recommits, or continues on journey.

Hero revisits the teachings of an old mentor or meets and learns from a new mentor.

new knowledge/power/skill

The hero uses this to complete his journey and accomplish his mission.

7. The supreme ordeal - climax

• hero faces his greatest fear(s)• defeats opponent• hero may confront and

defeat the enemy with the new power and/or knowledge gained

8. Reward – seizing the prize

Hero gains treasure, key, knowledge, or power.

Hero may be given the prize, or he may steal it or retrieve it from unrightful owners.

9. the road back – falling action

• The quest is completed.

• The hero is changed as a result of his experiences.

• The old self has died.• Hero begins journey

back to ordinary world.

For example, Luke

becomes a Jedi.

Neo becomes the One.

10. the return / return with elixir The hero returns to his ordinary world, but the hero haschanged.

Return may include hero’s restitution to rightful place.(reunited with real parents, restored to power, etc..)

AND / OR

Hero may return with talisman, elixir, magic potion,medicine, knowledge, etc. to save his people.Talisman may prove he has completed quest.