ENG3U1/5
Archetypes
THE HERO’S JOURNEY
The hero’s journey is a theme that can be discussed in relation to many books and movies
throughout students’ careers as high school students. Joseph Campbell gives the most widely
used and most accessible outline of the hero’s journey. The hero’s journey may be altered by
authors, directors and critics (e.g. not all of the steps always occur), the basic idea is the same.
I. Separation/ Departure
Call to Adventure
Appearance or meeting of the Herald who presents the hero with a problem, challenge, or
adventure. The call may occur during a crisis or traumatic event and it begins the quest.
Refusal of the Call
Hero is reluctant and tries to refuse going on the journey. This may be due to duty, fear,
insecurity, a sense of inadequacy, or a variety of other reasons that work to keep the
person in his current circumstances. He is eventually convinced to leave, however, with
the help of the Supernatural Aid or Mentor.
Crossing the Threshold
The threshold connects or separates the known from the unknown (new area of
experience). The "threshold guardians" (beings, situations, people) are the guardians of
established boundaries and they block the passage. They may protect and/or push the
hero in this part of their journey.
Belly of the Beast
The hero enters into a symbolic womb (cave, swallowed by a monster) and transitions
from old world/self to new world/self. This symbolizes the hero’s willingness to undergo
a significant change in order to attain power, self-awareness, and/or to be reborn.
II. Initiation
Road of Trials
Hero must face and conquer a series of challenges, trials, tests. However, every hero
does not necessarily encounter all of these.
the temptress - tries to pull the hero from the path; can be a female who represents the
knowledge the hero seeks.
meeting with the goddess - the point in the adventure when the person experiences a
powerful, all-encompassing, unconditional love; can be a wife or sister (infancy
regained)
conquest of death-journey to the Underworld, Hades, Hell. The hero must face death
and realize his or her own mortality.
atonement with father - hero must endure the test/initiation by the father. The hero
becomes the father (source of power) after this phase of self-awareness.
apotheosis - hero is reborn through the taking of the father’s power or through the
goddess. Hero gains a true awareness of himself. A restful, peaceful phase.
ultimate boon – the achievement of the journey’s goal. It may be an item or symbol
of immortality (the holy grail, Jason’s fleece, golden apples, fire). Hero may have to
trick gods to receive the elixir/gift.
III.
Return
Refusal of the return (the world denied) - the hero may not want to return to the "ordinary
world" (everyday life)
Magic Flight, hero journeys back to world with trophy/boon/elixir. Return is complicated by
obstacles and is another test of the hero: may involve supernatural aid.
Rescue from Without (recall of the hero) - hero may be rescued by another being, mortal,
immortal if the hero refuses to return to the "ordinary world" or if the hero is prohibited
by the Guardians.
Crossing the Return Threshold (back to the everyday world) - hero must face society
with elixir/boon. The hero must survive the impact of the return.
Master of Two Worlds (mystery of ready transit) - hero represents the freedom to go
between two worlds. Hero reveals mystery: self-destruction leads to rebirth and new life.
Hero’s quest joins together two worlds, the ordinary and the other, and reveals the
discoveries of the Otherworld in terms ordinary people understand.
Freedom to Live (nature/function of ultimate boon) – Living in the moment, unafraid of
death.
ENG3U1/5
Archetypes
A Knight’s Tale
As you watch the movie A Knight’s Tale in class over the next few days, you are expected to
complete two tasks:
1. Apply your knowledge of our lessons on archetypes by taking detailed notes on character
(Jungian and ‘Other’), situation, and symbols/images archetypes. You need to illustrate
your ideas with specific examples and details from the film.
Key characters include:
 William Thatcher/Sir Ulrich von Lichtenstein of Gelderland
 Count Adhemar of Anjou
 Lady Jocelyn
 Geoffrey Chaucer
 Roland
 Wat
 Kate the Farrier
 Sir Thomas Colville/Edward, the Black Prince of Wales
2. Chart the Hero’s Journey in the film by referring to the stages on the handout that you
were given in class and by reviewing the diagram below.
ENG3U1/5
Archetypes
THE HERO’S JOURNEY
The hero’s journey is a theme that can be discussed in relation to many books and movies
throughout students’ careers as high school students. Joseph Campbell gives the most widely
used and most accessible outline of the hero’s journey. The hero’s journey may be altered by
authors, directors and critics (e.g. not all of the steps always occur), the basic idea is the same.
I. Separation/ Departure
Call to
Appearance or meeting of the Herald who presents the hero with a problem, challenge, or
adventure. The call may occur during a crisis or traumatic event and it begins the quest.
of the Call
Hero is reluctant and tries to refuse going on the journey. This may be due to duty, fear,
insecurity, a sense of inadequacy, or a variety of other reasons that work to keep the
person in his current circumstances. He is eventually convinced to leave, however, with
the help of the Supernatural Aid or Mentor.
Crossing the
The threshold connects or separates the known from the unknown (new area of
experience). The "threshold guardians" (beings, situations, people) are the guardians of
established boundaries and they block the passage. They may protect and/or push the
hero in this part of their journey.
Belly of the
The hero enters into a symbolic womb (cave, swallowed by a monster) and transitions
from old world/self to new world/self. This symbolizes the hero’s willingness to undergo
a significant change in order to attain power, self-awareness, and/or to be reborn.
II. Initiation
Road of
Hero must face and conquer a series of challenges, trials, tests. However, every hero
does not necessarily encounter all of these.
the
- tries to pull the hero from the path; can be a female who
represents the knowledge the hero seeks.
meeting with the
- the point in the adventure when the person
experiences a powerful, all-encompassing, unconditional love; can be a wife or
sister (infancy regained)
conquest of
-journey to the Underworld, Hades, Hell. The hero
must face death and realize his or her own mortality.
with father - hero must endure the test/initiation by the
father. The hero becomes the father (source of power) after this phase of selfawareness.
- hero is reborn through the taking of the father’s power or
through the goddess. Hero gains a true awareness of himself. A restful, peaceful
phase.
ultimate
– the achievement of the journey’s goal. It may be an item or
symbol of immortality (the holy grail, Jason’s fleece, golden apples, fire). Hero may
have to trick gods to receive the elixir/gift.
III.
Return
of the return (the world denied) - the hero may not want to return to the
"ordinary world" (everyday life)
Magic
- hero journeys back to world with trophy/boon/elixir. Return is
complicated by obstacles and is another test of the hero: may involve supernatural aid.
from Without (recall of the hero) - hero may be rescued by another being,
mortal, immortal if the hero refuses to return to the "ordinary world" or if the hero is
prohibited by the Guardians.
Crossing the Return
(back to the everyday world) - hero must face
society with elixir/boon. The hero must survive the impact of the return.
Master of Two
(mystery of ready transit) - hero represents the
freedom to go between two worlds. Hero reveals mystery: self-destruction leads to
rebirth and new life. Hero’s quest joins together two worlds, the ordinary and the other, and
reveals the discoveries of the Otherworld in terms ordinary people understand.
Freedom to
unafraid of death.
(nature/function of ultimate boon) – Living in the moment,