An Archetypal Story
Archetype:
A pattern, such as
a type of character
or type of story,
that is repeated in
literature.
The hero’s journey is one
of the oldest story
archetypes on the planet.
Some say it’s
older than the
Pyramids…
And Stonehenge…
And even cave
drawings.
(Vogler)
The components of
the hero’s journey
were identified
and developed by
Joseph Campbell,
who was the
world’s foremost
authority on
mythology.
In his book, The
Hero with a
Thousand Faces,
Campbell asserted
that all
storytelling
follows the ancient
patterns of myth,
and …
…that all
stories use
elements of
the Hero’s
Journey.
Campbell
called this
archetype a
Monomyth.
George Lucas, the
creator of Star
Wars, consulted
with Campbell
while writing the
scripts for the
first Star Wars
trilogy.
The function
of the story
is to
entertain,
to instruct,
and to
inspire.
The hero’s journey
is a metaphor
for life itself.
Part I:
Departure
A. The Call to
Adventure
The hero is compelled to
leave a mundane life and
seek adventure or begin a
quest for something
specific.
B.
The Refusal of
the Call
The hero has second
thoughts; adventure
looks too risky or hero
feels inadequate.
Dorothy runs
back to the
farm and
Auntie Em.
A storm is
brewing.
Not exactly
what I
signed up
for…
C. Acceptance of
the Call
The hero finally accedes,
realizing that there is nobody
else who is better qualified to or
available to accept responsibility.
D. Supernatural Aid
A guide or magical
helper appears or
becomes known.
He may provide an
object with
“magical” abilities.
The ruby
slippers
Magic Wand
Mockingjay Pin
E. Crossing the First
Threshold
The hero leaves
the old world
behind and enters
the new.
F. The Belly of the Whale
Like Jonah and Pinocchio,
the hero experiences the
“dark night of the soul”
and must face his faults
and the truth about his
own flaws.
For some, the belly of the
whale experience is a
situation in which the hero
enters a physical zone of
danger.
Katniss prepares
to enter the
arena.
Luke approaches the Deathstar.
The message
is that we all
have a
shadow self
and must
deal with it
at some point
in our lives.
Part II
Initiation
During the
“Initiation” phase,
the hero learns how
to live in the new
world.
A. The Road of Trials
The hero learns
that life in the
world of
adventure can
be difficult.
B. Meeting with the
Goddess
All-powerful, all
encompassing,
unconditional
love.
C. Woman as Temptress
Someone or
something tries to
distract the hero
from his goal.
Circe the witch
tries to keep
Odysseus on her
island.
Shrek’s way of life.
The Mirror of
Erised
D. Atonement with the
Father
The hero may come up against a
'father figure' who must be beaten,
persuaded, or whose approval must be
achieved in some way. Ultimately, by
whatever means, the difficult
relationship between the two must be
reconciled.
E. Apotheosis
(from Greek roots meaning “from God”)
The hero recognizes his/her
true identity - that spark of
divinity within – divine
knowledge, love, compassion,
and bliss.
But you’ve
always had the
power to
go home!
The Chosen
One
“I keep wishing I could think of a way to…to show
the Capitol they don’t own me.”
F. The Ultimate Boon
The hero succeeds in his/her mission.
Dorothy
returns to
Emerald
City with
the witch’s
broom.
Katniss and Peeta
survive and both
become victors.
Simba restores peace
to Pride Rock.
Part III.
The Return
A. Refusal of Return
The hero wonders if it’s
possible to return to the
old life.
“How can I go back?”
How can I leave
my new best
friends?
Will things still be the
same?
B. Magic Flight
Upon deciding to return
home, the hero must “flee”
from yet another danger.
(Here, “flight” refers to
fleeing, not flying, though
sometimes flying is involved.)
There’s no
place like
home.
DANGER!
C. Rescue from Without
The hero escapes
with a little
outside help.
D. Crossing the
Return Threshold
Finally,
the hero
returns to
“Kansas.”
…or District 12…
… or the Shire
E. Mastery of Two
Worlds
The hero realizes that he can be
at home in two worlds.
F. Freedom to Live
Having faced evil
- both from
within and
without - the
hero is free from
powerlessness
and fear.
“A hero is someone who
reaches the edge of death,
steals a piece of magic,
then brings the magic
home to share with his
community.” (Brennan)
Character Archetypes
• Significant character
roles/archetypes are found in every
hero’s journey.
• Characters can fill more than one
role.
• Certain roles won’t be included in
every story.
Hero
• The hero must learn in order to grow.
Often the heart of a story is not the
obstacles he faces, but the new
wisdom he acquires, from a mentor, a
lover, or even from the villain.
• Heroes can be willing and
adventurous, or reluctant.
• The essence of the hero is the
sacrifice he makes to achieve his
goal.
Herald
• The role of the herald is to announce
the challenge which begins the hero
on his story journey.
• The herald need not be a person. It
can be an event or force: the start of
a war, a drought or famine, or even an
ad in a newspaper
Mentor
• The mentor is a character who aids or
trains the hero.
• The mentor represents the wiser and
more godlike qualities within us.
• The other major role of the mentor is
to equip the hero by giving him a gift
or gifts which are important in his
quest.
• The hero doesn't always appreciate
the mentor’s assistance.
Threshold Guardians
• The role of the threshold guardian is
to test the hero's mettle and
worthiness to begin the story's
journey, and to show that the journey
will not be easy. The hero will
encounter the guardian early in the
story, usually right after he starts
his quest.
• NOT the story's main antagonist
(could be their henchman or
employee).
Trickster
• The Trickster is a clown, a mischief
maker. He provides the comic relief.
• The trickster can be an ally or
companion of the hero, or may work
for the villain. In some instances the
trickster may even be the hero or
villain.
Shape-Shifter
• The shapeshifter changes role or
personality, often in significant ways.
His alliances and loyalty are uncertain
and questionable.
• This keeps the hero off guard.
• Their role is to bring suspense into a
story by forcing the reader (and
hero) to question beliefs and
assumptions.
Shadow
• The shadow is the worthy opponent
with whom the hero must struggle. In
a conflict between hero and villain,
the fight is to the end; one or the
other must be destroyed.
• The shadow frequently sees himself
as a hero, and the story's hero as his
villain.
• He represents things we don't like
and would like to eliminate.
We are all heroes on our separate journeys
and
our mission
is to make
the world a better place.
References
Brennan, Kristen. “Star Wars Origins.” 1999-2001.
Jitterbug Fantasia. <http://www.jitterbug.com/
orgins/myth.html> 20 Sept. 2002.
Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces.
New York: Mythos Books, 1949.
Vogler, Christopher. “The Writer’s Journey.” 2002.
Michael Weiss Productions. <http://www.mwp.com
/pages/bookswritourmore.html> 20 Sept. 2002.
“Follow
your
bliss.”
- Joseph
Campbell