The Hero of legend can be viewed as being
reliant upon an archetype, or a pre-existing
model upon which similar things are patterned
– can be patterned intentionally (Star Wars, Harry
Potter) or unintentionally (LOTR, Greek mythology)
The Hero’s Journey is made up of a series of
eight steps contained in three stages, a path that
is followed throughout the story
– It is not crucial that these steps all be included in a
story, nor that they occur in this exact sequence
[Takes notes on hero on the back of your chart]
The usual Hero of legend is someone:
– From whom something has been taken
– Who feels that something is lacking in his or her life
– this journey offers the Hero the opportunity to search
for (quest) and gain something of physical or spiritual
value (grail)
A grail quest is usually not about finding a physical item
itself – it is about a search for wisdom, fulfillment or
experience
Step 1: The Call to Adventure
– invites the “Hero” into the adventure
– The “Hero” may choose willingly to undertake the
quest, or may be dragged into it unwillingly
– May be initiated by the appearance of a herald
signals that something important will soon happen
Step 2: Refusal of the Call
– The “Hero” may initially refuse the call to
adventure
Reluctant to jump into the unknown: the devil you
know versus the devil you don’t…
– Often, a painful, pivotal event occurs which
calls the hero out through a dramatic change
in perspective or destruction of something
dear
Step 3: Crossing The Threshold [Beginning of
the Adventure]
– "jumping off point" for the adventure
– It is the gateway between the known and the
unknown, a world filled with challenges and dangers.
the “Hero” may meet several different types of
characters who may either offer to help or try to
thwart the Hero
A single character can take on different functions
at different points in the story.
Take notes on these 5 kinds of characters on the
BACK of the last page of your chart:
threshold guardians
– people, beings, or situations which block the
“Hero’s” passage, often at the Threshold
stage.
– can protect the “Hero” by keeping him or her
from taking journeys for which he or she is
unready or unprepared
helpers
– provide assistance or direction to the “Hero”
mentor
– sage giver of guidance, advice
– often is lost to the “Hero” at some point in the quest
tempters
– try to pull the “Hero” away from his or her path
shapeshifter
– helper, tempter or both. May literally change
shape/form or may merely change personalities or
status or alliances.
Step 4: The Road of Trials or Challenges
–
–
–
–
the “Hero” journeys into the unknown
can be outward into a physical unknown or inward to a
psychological unknown
early challenges are relatively easy but become more difficult
as journey progresses
challenges often strike the “Hero’s” greatest weaknesses
Step 5: Trials and Challenges: The Final
and Worst [The Abyss]
–
–
the journey’s greatest challenge, faced alone by the
“Hero”: may be an inner conflict
external conflicts are often with the story’s shadow
figure, the story’s antagonist.
Step 6: Unconditional Love  Transformation
– love or support of mentor or family empowers the Hero
to overcome his doubts and keep going
– the Hero conquers the Abyss and transformation
becomes complete—physical or emotional
– final step is a moment of death and rebirth
a part of the Hero dies so that a new part can be born
Step 7: Revelation of the Ultimate Boon
– the Hero realizes his worth and uses his potential
– sudden, dramatic change in the way the Hero thinks
or views life
– Leads to eventual success with the toughest
challenge of the journey
Step 8: The Return to the Known World
– the return to everyday life, the final stage of the journey
– essence of the Hero’s return is to begin contributing to society
– saving or renewing society, teaching and enlightening others
Message may be rejected by society or doubted by Hero
Hero might refuse to return to the “old” way or place of existence
[see all of page 29 for POSSIBLE features of this stage]