Hero journey
We Could Be Heroes
ASHLEY ULRICH & JORDAN KOHANIM
different heroes…
3 DIFFERENT TYPES OF HEROES THIS UNIT
WILL EXAMINE:
different heroes…
TRAGIC, EPIC, AND MYTHOLOGICAL
TRAGIC HERO
A Tragic Hero based off of Aristotle’s concept.
A tragic hero represents
a generally good person but one who
through the course of the narrative
falls from grace.
Tragic Heroes require
a tragic flaw and a tragic downfall.
The text emphasizes and highlights
this flaw and fall to show a theme.
TRAGIC HERO
For example:
Brutus or Caesar from
Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar
epiC / LeGENDARY HERO
An epic hero is a larger than life figure from an
epic (poem), usually favored by or even partially
descended from deities, but aligned more closely
with mortal figures in popular portrayals. The
epic hero illustrates traits, performs deeds, and
exemplifies certain morals that are valued by the
society from which the epic originates. Epic
heroes are seen as superhuman in that they are
smarter, stronger, and braver than average
humans. An epic hero can also be a warrior of
some sort who performs extraordinary tasks that
most find difficult.
epiC /
LeGENDARY HERO
For
example:
King Arthur
Mytholigical HERO
The myth is an anonymous story or group of
stories some prose others poetry formed from
religious beliefs and high heroics.
Mythological heroes must be present in myths,
confront mythological beasts, and become
mythological in turn.
What is AN EPIC?
An epic is a long narrative
poem in an elevated style that
deals with the trials and
achievements of a great hero
or heroes. The epic
celebrates virtues of national,
military, religious, political, or
historical significance.
What is AN EPIC?
An extended narrative poem recounting
actions, travels, adventures, and heroic
episodes and written in a high style (with
ennobled diction, for example).
What is AN EPIC?
Like all art, an epic may grow out of a
limited context but achieves greatness in
relation to its universality. It typically
emphasizes heroic action as well as the
struggle between the hero’s ethos and
his human failings or mortality.
Joseph Campbell’s
Hero with a
Thousand Faces
Originally published in 1949
Part I: Departure
Home Culture:
The protagonist must have a “home,”
a place which he/she believes is normal and familiar.
Nemo’s dad feels comfortable at home with him
and is used to that environment.
Part I: Departure (Cont’d.)
Call to Adventure:
Something happens which
requires the protagonist to
feel a restlessness with the
constraints of his/her life or
find a new place he/she did
not know existed.
Harry gets a letter from Hogwarts.
Bob (Mr. Incredible) cannot go back to his superhero life because Helen does not
want him to and he doesn’t want to disappoint her.
Part i: DeParture (Cont’D.)
Refusal of the Call: The hero initially refuses to accept
a new life/journey. Often another character will
encourage this refusal.
Part I: Departure (Cont’d.)
Merlin guides Arthur to help him
accomplish his goals.
Supernatural Aid: Protagonist is provided with
some assistance from a supernatural or guiding
character (or item).
Part I: Departure (Cont’d.)
When Uncle Ben dies, Peter must accept
his journey as a hero.
Crossing the First Threshold: Protagonist is
confronted with an obstacle that he/she must
overcome which begins the journey.
Pinocchio is literally devoured by a whale and
doesn’t think he will get out.
Part I: Departure (Cont’d.)
The Belly of the Whale: Protagonist encounters
a situation which he/she does not think he/she
can overcome.
Harry Potter has to deal with many trials,
including the deaths of friends.
Part II: Initiation
Road of Trials: Protagonist is tested and learns about
him/herself . Protagonist does not always have to
face these trials alone.
Part II: Initiation (Cont’d.)
Meeting with the Goddess/Mother Figure:
Protagonist meets with an ideal (in some modern
movies, this figure is represented by a romantic soul
Pinocchio is visited by the Blue Fairy, who
mate)
guides him as an ideal female figure.
Part II: Initiation (Cont’d.)
Atonement with the Father: Protagonist learns to
deal with his/her role as a leader and/or hero and
When Neo is able to rescue Morpheus, he
his/her new purpose in life. must recognize that he is “The One.”
Part II:
Initiation
(Cont’d.)
Temptation from the
True Path:
Protagonist is tempted
to depart from the
purpose of his journey.
Dorothy was tempted
off the true path by the
field of poppieses
.
Part II: Initiation
(Cont’d.)
Apotheosis: Protagonist
fully accepts his status as
a hero and achieves a
“god-like” status
through his
accomplishments.
When Peter starts acting as a hero, he
accepts his status as Spider-man.
Part ii: initiation (Cont’D.)
Dorothy melts the
witch, which helps
both her and others
(and ultimately allows
her to go home).
The Ultimate Boon: Protagonist can see the affects of his
actions on both him/herself and others and is able to accomplish
his/her final goal. This is often done in a “final battle” sequence.
Part III: Return
Refusal of the Return:
The hero’s journey
should be over, but the
protagonist is
prevented in some way
from returning home.
This is often because
the hero is isolated
from others.
Bruce could choose to get rid of his
Batman alter ego to be with Rachel,
but he doesn’t.
Part III: Return (Cont’d.)
Peter Pan takes Wendy, John, and Michael home on a truly magical flight on a
pirate ship. You can take the same magic flight at Disney World!
The Chase/Magic Flight: The protagonist flees
toward safety to take (or take back) treasure, power,
or wisdom.
Part III: Return (Cont’d.)
Dorothy needs the ruby slippers in order to return home.
• The Rescue from Without: Protagonist is unable to
return home without the help of others.
Part iii: return (Cont’D.)
Crossing the Return Threshold: Protagonist
must face an evil force and overcome a final trial
in order to prove him/herself and be accepted
Harry Potter must fight Voldemort in
by those at home. order for his world to return to normal.
The Incredibles are happy as
superheroes or in their family life.
Part iii: return (Cont’D.)
Master of Two Worlds: Protagonist finally has the
power to feel comfortable and survive both in his/her
home world and the outside world.
Part iii: return (Cont’D.)
Freedom to Live: Protagonist no longer fears change
and looks forward to the future regardless of the
becomes king and looks forward to
circumstances. Arthur
the future as king.
Common Mythical Elements
• Two Worlds: The hero experiences life in two
worlds, the “mundane” (home) world and the
“special” (adventure) world.
Life as Superman and as Clark Kent.
Common Mythical Elements
(Cont’D.)
The Mentor: The character who helps the hero to
understand the importance of his/her journey.
Dumbledore helps Harry Potter understand his mission.
Common Mythical Elements
(Cont’D.)
The Oracle: The character who tells the hero the
future of his/her journey and/or warns the hero
he has already made his choices,
about something. The Oracle tellsbutNeohe that
will have to grow to understand them.
Common Mythical Elements
(Cont’D.)
The Prophecy: A promise is made
about the hero’s future “One ring to rule them all…”
accomplishments (frequently the
Oracle makes this prophecy).
Common Mythical Elements
(Cont’D.)
Failed Hero: Protagonist is confronted with a
character who once failed at something he/she
Perseus is confronted with the stone figures of those who
attempts.
tried to escape Medusa before he entered her lair.
Common Mythical Elements
(Cont’D.)
Harry and Ron drink the
polyjuice potion to pretend to be
Crabbe and Goyle.
Wearing Enemy’s Skin: Protagonist must disguise
him/herself as someone acceptable to the enemy in
order to accomplish his/her goal.
Common Mythical Elements (Cont’d.)
Shapeshifter: A character who initially appears to be
both good and bad; the hero does not know whether
At first, Aladdin does not know whether to
he/she can trust this character.trust the Genie because he does not know if
he has his best interests at heart.
Common Mythical Elements (Cont’d.)
Animal
Familiar: A
nonhuman
character who
aids the hero
in his/her
journey.
Common Mythical Elements (Cont’d.)
Chasing the Lone Animal into the Woods: This represents
the time at which the hero chases something that appears
magical or different. Usually the “animal” gets away but
Alice follows the white
chasing it leads the hero to something new. rabbit,
who initially gets
away (but leads her to
Wonderland).