Joseph campbell’s
the hero’s journey
an archetypal story
Let’s start with this:
Q: What is an ARCHETYPE?
 A: It’s just a fancy way of explaining a
PATTERN, TYPE OF
CHARARACTER, or TYPE OF
STORY that is repeated in literature, film, TV
shows, etc.
THE HERO’S JOURNEY is one of
the oldest story ARCHETYPES on the
planet
Meet JOSEPH CAMPBELL
(1904-1987)
He was the world’s foremost authority on mythology–he identified the
“STEPS” of THE HERO’S JOURNEY
In his book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Campbell
asserted that ALL STORYTELLING FOLLOWS
THE ANCENT PATTERNS OF MYTH…
This makes THE HERO’S JOURNEY A
MONOMYTH. This means ALL STORIES
INVOLVING HEROES follow a universal
pattern.
CAMPBELL KNEW THAT HEROES ARE CENTRAL TO
THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE, an essential part of our storytelling.—that
they serve a purpose which transcends society, culture, and time. He believed:
“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something
bigger than oneself.” –AND“The adventure of the hero is the adventure of being alive.”
Campbell was such an expert on heroes that George Lucas
(creator of Star Wars) consulted with him while writing the
scripts for the first Star Wars trilogy.
Think about your favorite hero in a book, a movie,
or both…who is it?
 Well…guess what? Whoever your hero is, he or she
follows Campbell’s STEPS OF THE HERO’S
JOURNEY!
 Keep this in mind as we take you through the steps…as
we do so, try to “plot” how your hero handled his or her
journey.
 P.s. also think about what makes your character a hero in
the first place. What qualities does he or she have to
have to qualify as a hero in your eyes?
Also, before we move on to the STEPS, be on the
lookout for certain CHARACTER
ARCHETYPES you will identify throughout…
1. THE HERO
 {OF COURSE! YOU ALREADY KNEW
THAT! }
 THE HERO is…
 Usually the main character—a person who needs to learn
something in the story
 Note: there can be several heroes along the way (we will
discuss that further)
 Think about who is the “chosen” one…the hero who will
ultimately be responsible for fulfilling some kind of quest?
2. THE MENTOR
 THE MENTOR is…
 A wise person or animal who provides guidance to the
hero—usually giving him magical gifts or advice for the
journey ahead
 Oftentimes we will see the mentor archetype coaxing the
hero archetype to undertake the adventure
 Usually the hero is resistant to the challenge—he or she
doesn’t want to take the risk! More on that later…
3. THE TRICKSTER
 THE TRICKSTER is…
 The “wise-fool”—someone who uses tricks and jokes to
guide the hero
 Typically, we are unsure if the trickster archetype is
good for the hero, or not-so-good for the hero
 The trickster keeps us, as well as the hero guessing!
4. THE SHADOW
 THE SHADOW …
 Represents our darkest desire, untapped resources, or
rejected qualities
 Oftentimes has “anti-hero” or “fallen hero” qualities
 The function of the shadow archetype is to challenge the
hero, to provide a worthy opponent in the hero’s struggle
 *Most shadows do not see themselves as villians, but merely
the heroes of their own myths…
5. THE
SHAPESHIFTER
 THE SHAPESHIFTER is…
 A character who “changes appearance” to disrupt the
adventure
 The shapeshifter archetype serves the dramatic function
of bringing doubt and suspense into a story
 The mask of the shapeshifter may be worn by any
character in the story—and is often expressed by a
character whose loyalty and true nature are always in
question
6. THE HERALD
 THE HERALD …
 Issues challenges and announces the coming of significant
“shaking up” of the status quo
 Because of this announcement, the hero’s situation shifts—
nothing is ever the same again
 The herald archetype serves the important psychological
function of representing a need for change
 But…like most of us, adapting to change is quite
uncomfortable for the hero!
7. THRESHOLD
GUARDIAN
 THE THRESHOLD GUARDIAN …
 Protects the special world and its secrets from the hero—providing
tests for the hero to prove his or her worth
 If properly understood, these guardians can be overcome, bypassed,
or turned into allies
 Threshold guardians are not the main villain; they are often the
“henchmen” of the villain
 On a deeper psychological level, threshold guardians represent our
internal demons—their function is not necessarily to stop the hero
but to test if he or she is really determined to accept the challenge of
change
*NOW THAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THE
DIFFERENT CHARACTER
ARCHETYPES, WHERE DO THE
FOLLOWING EXAMPLES FIT IN?
Annakin Skywalker
Star Wars Sequel Trilogy
 Once a hero, Annakin Skywalker goes to
“the dark side”, and becomes Darth
Vader.
 Sadly, this makes him…
- A SHADOW -
Next example:
Who is this? What character archetype does
she represent?
Katniss Everdeen
The Hunger Games
- HERO-
How about him? What part does he
play?
Gandalf
The Lord of the Rings
- MENTOR -
How about him? How does he fit in with the
rest of the character archetypes?
Jacob Black
Twilight
SHAPESHIFTE
R-
What purpose does this character serve?
Which archetype is he?
The White Rabbit
Alice in Wonderland
- HERALD -
How about this guy? Who is he? Where does
he fit in as a character archetype?
Gollum
The Lord of the Rings
- TRICKSTER -
And the last of the character
archetypes…
Orcs
The Hobbit
- THRESHOLD
GUARDIANS -
HOW MANY DID YOU GET RIGHT?
Now that you are now an expert on CHARACTER
ARCHETYPES…
LET’S MOVE ONTO THE 12 STEPS OF
THE HERO’S JOURNEY!
1. ORDINARY WORLD
 The hero’s normal, everyday (often
mundane) world before the journey
begins…
2. CALL TO
ADVENTURE
 The hero is presented with a problem, challenge,
or adventure to undertake…
3. REFUSAL OF THE
CALL
 The hero is reluctant, and initially refuses the
challenge or journey—usually out of fear.
4. MEETING WITH THE
MENTOR
 The hero meets a mentor to gain confidence,
advice, or training to face the adventure
5. CROSSING THE
FIRST THRESHOLD
 The hero crosses the gateway that separates
the ordinary world from a new, special world. No
going back now!
6. TESTS, ALLIES &
ENEMIES
 The hero faces tests, meets allies, confronts
enemies, & learns the rules of the new world in
which he finds himself.
7. APPROACH
 The hero has hit setbacks during his tests. He
may need to reorganize his helpers, or rekindle
morale with mentor’s rally cry. High
drama…stakes heighten!
8. ORDEAL
 The biggest life or death crisis hits. The hero
encounters his greatest fear—only through facing
death can he be “reborn”. He now experiences
even greater powers to see the journey to the
end.
9. REWARD
 The hero has survived death and overcome his greatest
fear, earning the reward he sought. The Reward may
come in many forms: an object of great importance or
power, a secret, greater knowledge or insight, or even
reconciliation with a loved one or ally. Whatever the
treasure, which may well facilitate his return to the
Ordinary World, the Hero must quickly put celebrations
aside and prepare for the last leg of his journey.
10. THE ROAD
BACK
 The hero must recommit to completing the
journey & travel back to the Ordinary World.
But the road back is often dangerous…
11.
RESURRECTION
 The hero faces the most dangerous meeting with
death. He overcomes it, showing he can apply all
the wisdom he will bring back to the Ordinary
World.
12. RETURN WITH THE
ELIXIR
 The hero returns from the journey with the “elixir” for
everyone in his world to use to heal physical or emotional
wounds. He has fulfilled his purpose and comes back
changed for the better. The “elixir” represents a new
beginning in which fear is conquered, insights and
freedom are gained, and the greater good is restored.
Resolution! 
“The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you
seek.” –Joseph Campbell
Look for this formula in books, movies, and TV
shows, but also in YOUR OWN LIFE…
 Remember: humans reflect on our world
through symbolic stories of our lives.
 AND…
 Think about how YOU ARE
CALLED upon to leave your comfort
zone, have an experience that transforms
you, recover, and do it again.