In Greek Mythology

The Hero’s Journey

The hero’s journeyA pattern of storytelling:

1. Leaving an ordinary home2. Following a Call to

Adventure3. Receiving help from

guardian, sidekicks, special weapons

4. Crossing the threshold into the new world

5. Facing challenges6. Overcoming temptations7. Achieving the goal8. Returning home, having

learned new lessons

•In mythology•Great literature•Modern movies •Our own life experiences

What is a hero?

• Someone who leaves the world of their ordinary life

• to undergo a journey to a special world,

• where challenges and fears are overcome in order to achieve a goal.

• The achievement is then shared with other members of the hero’s community

• when he returns home.

The Call to

Adventure• Ordinary home:

protagonist (main character) has a home he wants to leave.

• Returns to home after the journey

The Call to Adventure

• Call to Adventure: Sets the story rolling

• Something disrupts the hero’s ordinary life at home

• Challenge is presented

Call to Adventure

• Refusal of the call: At first, he chooses not to move forward

• He does not want to not give up his position, power, ideals, goals, or responsibilities

• Based on his fear of the unknown.

I don’t WANNA GO!

Guardians, sidekicks, and

special weapons • Guardians:

inexperienced hero gets help from a supernatural character

• Provides guidance and advice

• Companions or sidekicks support him on the journey.

Guardians, sidekicks, and special weapons

• Weapons: Receives a special weapon, or item (sword, encouragement, etc.) to help with their step forward into the unknown.

Crossing the threshold

• Crossing the threshold: moves out of his ordinary world, into a new world.

• Confronted with an obstacle that must be overcome before he can fully enter the dangers of the unknown journey.

Crossing the threshold

• Hero commits to the journey.

• Mental journey merges with the physical journey

• Helps the character understand his purpose.

New challenges• Hero is tested, usually in dangerous situations. • Makes new allies and new enemies• Relies on the help of his special weapon and

assistance from guide/companions.

Overcoming Temptation

• Someone or something tries to destroy the journey.

• Often, destroyer has been sent by a larger evil to stop the hero.

Overcoming Temptation

• Overcomes his lack of knowledge and fears

• Grows to accept his role as a hero.

• Begins to learn new lessons

Achievement of the goal

• Hero becomes confident, and often receives gifts and/or emotional rewards.

• Understands how the ultimate goal can be accomplished and the mission is completed

Return home• Hero returns to the ordinary world • Can adjust to who he might be in the future• Has learned lesson about who he is, transformed• There is no longer fear

The hero’s journey in YOU

• We are born• We will separate from

our families• We will have dark and

light times in life• We will have friends

who help and guide• We will be faced with

difficult hurdles• We will have to prove

ourselves• We will triumph

The Hero’s Journey in modern movies