The Heroic Journey

“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”

- Joseph Campbell

The Heroic Journey

Both Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell argue that there is a pattern to the heroic journey that can be traced through most myths and stories. According to Campbell, “Even in popular novels, the main character is a hero or heroine who has found or done something beyond the normal range of achievement and experience.” While there may be minor variations in their descriptions, the basic pattern of the journey or quest is quite similar. It can be outlined as follows:

Birth

The hero is usually of humble origin or comes from a disadvantaged situation. The hero is not “ready made” for great adventure. He is both a universal and a unique character at the same time.

Destiny

Discovery of destiny and/or initiation to quest: The hero either discovers that he has a special calling or that something has occurred that necessitates his leaving on the quest.

“…there are two types of deed. One is the physical deed, in which the hero performs a courageous act in battle and saves a life. The other kind is the spiritual deed, in which the hero learns to experience the supernormal range of human spiritual life and then comes back with a message.”

- Joseph Campbell

The Quest (Often the Rising Action of the story)

The hero sets out on a journey that is both a physical movement from one place to another and an interior journey in which the hero usually grows in wisdom, maturity or insight.

Wise Old Man/Woman (Mentor)

•  Often the hero finds a “wise man” who helps him to achieve his goal.

Foes/Conflict

•  On this journey, the hero will meet with temptation, have obstacles to overcome and foes to vanquish.

Romance

•  On the journey, the hero may meet his romantic counterpart, his “ideal” partner, either along the way or as the goal of the quest.

•  This person may be an assistant or a hindrance and distraction from his quest.

Final Battle (Often the Climax of the story)

The climax of the hero’s journey comes in the form of a final battle or showdown. He achieves his goal and in that process comes to a better understanding of himself.

Journey Home (Often the Falling Action of the story)

Once the hero has achieved his goal, he must return home. This journey is often difficult and once home his exploits and courage are celebrated.

Sharing the Gift (Often the Resolution of the story)

•  Once home his exploits and courage are celebrated. The hero achieves fame/status and earns rewards for his endeavors (even if deceased).

“The ultimate aim of the quest must be neither release nor ecstasy for oneself, but the wisdom and the power to serve others. One of the many distinctions between the celebrity and the hero is that one lives only for self while the other acts to redeem society.” - Joseph Campbell

“Heroes come in all sizes, and you don’t have to

be a giant hero. You can be a very small hero. It’s just as important to understand that accepting self-responsibility for the things you do, having good manners, caring about other people – these are heroic acts. Everybody has the choice of being a hero or not being a hero every day of their lives. You don’t have to get into a giant laser-sword fight and blow up three spaceships to become a hero.” - George Lucas

•  Another term used by some to describe the Heroic Journey is Monomyth. This includes more steps than some more basic Heroic Journey forms. You should at least be aware of the Monomyth as one form.

Monomyth:The Heroic Journey Steps

Separation/Departure (from the known world) 1. The Call / Refusal 2. The Threshold (with guardians, mentor) Initiation/Transformation 3. Road of Trials/Challenges/temptations 4. The Abyss 5. The Revelation 6. The Transformation (and apotheosis) 7. The Atonement The Return ( to the known world) 8. The Return (with a Gift) to assume a new role in life

Archetypal Characters of the Heroic Journey

1.  Hero 2.  Herald 3.  Mentor 4.  Threshold Guardians 5.  Trickster 6.  Shape-Shifter 7.  Shadow