The Hero’s Journey

David P. Wood @prototypo January 2015 Updated March 2015

All my stories are like the Greek and Roman myths, and the

Egyptian myths, and the Old and New Testament.

— Ray Bradbury

Joseph Campbell, mythologist

Developed the theory of the hero’s journey in literature and mythology

“In his study of world hero myths Campbell discovered that they are all

basically the same story – retold endlessly in infinite variations.”

— Christopher Vogler

Carl Jung, psychiatrist

Developed concepts of archetypes, and the collective unconscious

James Joyce, novelist

Combined many symbols from mythology, history, and literature

Coined the term “monomyth”

The hero’s journey

monomyth archetypes

The Hero’s Journey

8. Abyss Ordeal, Death &

Rebirth

Known: Ordinary WorldUnknown: Special World

The Hero’s Journey

8. Abyss Ordeal, Death &

Rebirth

Mentor

Helper

ThresholdGuardians

ThresholdGuardians

The Hero’s Journey

8. Abyss ordeal, death &

rebirth

1. Ordinary world

2. Call to adventure

3. Refusal of the call

4. Meeting the mentor

5. Crossing the threshold

6. Tests, allies, enemies

7. Approach9. Reward, seizing the sword

10. The road back

11. Resurrection

12. Return with elixir

The Hero’s Journey

8. Abyss ordeal, death &

rebirth

1. Ordinary world

2. Call to adventure

3. Refusal of the call

4. Meeting the mentor

5. Crossing the threshold

6. Tests, allies, enemies

7. Approach9. Reward, seizing the sword

10. The road back

11. Resurrection

12. Return with elixir

“Revelation”

“Transformation”

“Atonement”

“Gift of the god/goddess”

Infinite variation allows you to twist, remove, add any aspects

of the pattern you like!

ArchetypesHeroes

MentorsShadows Heralds

Threshold Guardians

Shapeshifters

Tricksters

Allies

(change)

The Hero’s Inner Journey

Big change

feeling of rebirth

1. Limited awareness of problem

2. Increased awareness

3. Fear, resistance to change

4. Overcoming fear

5. Committing to change

6. Experimenting with new conditions

7. Preparing for major change

9. Accepting consequences of new life

10. New challenge and rededication

11. Last-minute dangers

12. Mastery

The Heroine's Journey

Maureen Murdock, author, and Jungian psychotherapist

http://maureenmurdockblog.com

The Heroine's Journey

7. Initiation descent to the

goddess

1. Separation from the feminine

2. Identification with the masculine

3. Gathering of allies

4. Road of trials

5. Finding the boon of success

6. Awakening to feelings of spiritual aridity; death

8. Urgent yearning to reconnect with the feminine

9. Healing the mother/ daughter split

10. Healing the wounded masculine

11. Integration of feminine & masculine

Christopher Vogler, Screenwriter:• Beowulf • The Spiderwick Chronicles • I am Legend • Hancock • 10,000 B.C. • Then She Found Me • The Wrestler

Examples

The Hunger Games12. Mastery 3. Fear

8. Abyss

Wizard of Oz

1. Limited awareness of problem

7. Approach

11. Resurrection5. Crossing the

threshold

Star Wars Episode IV

10. The road back

4. Meeting the mentor

Star Wars Episodes I-VI

AnikinLuke

Ordinary world

Ordinary world Special world

Special world

9. Reward, seizing the sword

9. Reward, seizing the sword

The Hero’s Journey is not history

The hero grows up as they progress through the story. The archetypes help or impede progress.

References★ The Hero With a Thousand Faces by Joseph

Campbell

• Man and his Symbols by Carl Jung

• Finnegans_Wake by James Joyce

★ The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler

✴Hero’s Journey summary by Christopher Vogler

• Monomyth article at Wikipedia