Quest and Heroic Archetypes
What is the Quest and
Why is the Quest Important in Literature?
The QUEST is:
● a journey that a hero takes in order to achieve a goal or task
● one of the oldest narrative frameworks in literature
● not uncommon today to see the latest TV show, movie, video
game, or novel following this same structure
As critical readers of literature, it is important for us to:
● understand the plot in a story in order to help us make
meaning of a text
● draw conclusions to make connections with the larger world
What’s an example
of a quest in a show
or movie that you
know?
The Stages of the Quest
At its most basic level,
all quests include the
three characteristics
of - a hero, a
journey, and a goal.
However, there can be
additional similarities
throughout quest
stories if they are
following the
traditional framework.
The Stages of the Quest
With a partner,
discuss each
step.
Clarify any
vocabulary you
are unfamiliar
with a give
examples of each.
Three
Major
Stages
of the Hero’s
Three
Major
Stages
of the Journey
Hero’s Journey
❖
❖
❖
the Separation
■ At the beginning of quests, the hero is residing in his/her ordinary world when he/she
experiences the “call to adventure.” Most of the time, the hero will show
apprehension and hesitation before eventually accepting this “call” that is presented
during this first stage of the quest. This is the hero’s literal mission or journey for the
story.
the Initiation
■ Once the hero is fully on the journey and has crossed the threshold into a more
unfamiliar world, he/she will experience a “road of trials” or challenges that will be a
test of heroic ability. It is during this stage that the hero will experience the most intense
challenge, or “ordeal”, which will prove if he/she is a true hero and worthy of the
reward.
the Return
■ After the hero’s most intense ordeal, he/she must journey back to the ordinary world
and bring with him/her the reward. It is at this stage that the hero realizes the “real
purpose of the quest” which is much deeper and more important than the reward.
Many times the real purpose for the quest is because the hero is searching for his/her’s
identity, true love, self-knowledge, or for a deeper discovery about humankind.
Aligning a Storyline to The Stages of the Quest
With your
partner, choose
one of these
stories to
discuss the 3
categories.
You can also
choose a
different quest
story you both
know.
The Legend of Pipi: Stages of the Quest
Now as you watch
the short film,
take notes on the
elements of quest
that you see
Three
Major
Stages ofinthe
Important
Archetypes
theHero’s
Quest Journey
Three
Major
Stages ofinthe
Important
Archetypes
theHero’s
Quest Journey
Wars
Three Major Stages of the Hero’s Journey
Important Archetypes
in the Quest
Three
Major
Stages ofinthe
Important
Archetypes
theHero’s
Quest Journey
Three
Major
Stages
of the
Hero’s
Journey
Let’s look
at an
example
from
Homer’s
“The Odyssey”.
Have you ever heard of this story from Greek mythology?
If so, what is the plot about?
What are some of the characters?
The Odyssey is an epic poem in 24 books
traditionally attributed to the ancient
Greek poet Homer. The poem is the story
of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, who wanders
for 10 years (although the action of the
poem covers only the final six weeks)
trying to get home after the Trojan War.
Analyzing the Archetypes in a Text using a Three Reads Protocol
‘My ship? Poseidon Lord, who sets the earth atremble, broke it up on the rocks at your land’s end. A
wind from seaward served him, drove us there. We are survivors, these good men and I.’ Neither
reply nor pity came from him, but in one stride he clutched at my companions and caught two in his
hands like squirming puppies to beat their brains out, spattering the floor. Then he dismembered
them and made his meal, gaping and crunching like a mountain lion, everything: innards, flesh, and
marrow bones.
We cried aloud, lifting our hands to Zeus, powerless, looking on at this, appalled; but Cyclops went on
filling up his belly with manflesh and great gulps of whey, then lay down like a mast among his
sheep. My heart beat high now at the chance of action, and drawing the sharp sword from my hip I
went along his flank to stab him where the midriff holds the liver. I had touched the spot when
sudden fear stayed with me: if I killed him we perished there as well, for we could never move his
ponderous doorway slab aside. So we were left to groan and wait for morning.
What is happening
in the excerpt?
What archetypes
do Odysseus and
Polyphemus fit
into? Identify
evidence to
support.
What
characteristics of
the quest are
developed in the
excerpt?
Three
Majorthe
Stages
of the Hero’s
Journey
Analyzing
Archetypes
in a Text
using a 3-
1-3 Protocol
Analyze the “hero” in the
visual. Make inferences about
him using the knowledge that
you have learned about the
hero archetype. Use
evidence to support your
ideas.
Analyze the “stages of the
quest” in the visual. Make
inferences about what stage
this might be during the
quest. Use evidence to
support your ideas.
Analyze the “archetypes” in
the visual. Make inferences
about what archetypes might
be present in the visual. Use
evidence to support your
ideas
Three
Major
of the
Hero’s Journey
Review
ofStages
Literary
Devices
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Simile
Metaphor
Personification
Hyperbole
Imagery
Symbolism
Flashbacks
Foreshadowing
Motif
Allegory
BRING IT TOGETHER!
INSTRUCTIONS: Review the Literary Abstract Assessment and choose a text to assess.
Create Your Own Quest