The Hero’s Journey

Mythic structure in modern times

Joseph Campbell1904-1988Studied mythical stories across the world since the dawn of man and found they all had 12 common features

This has become known as the Hero’s Journey, and these features are at play in nearly every great story ever told from Odysseus to Harry Potter.

What is a “Hero”?

Often a person with supernatural abilities or qualities in ancient literature Ex: Odysseus, Buddha

In contemporary stories, this person can be ordinary– or at least not what we might consider “supernatural.” Ex: Harry Potter, Simba, Dorothy

Stage 1: The Ordinary World

This is the ordinary, mundane world our hero starts in. This is the world that Act I of your story will take place in. Ex. Odysseus started in Ithica Ex. Dorothy in Kansas Ex. Simba started out at Pride Rock as a

cub.

Stage 2: Call to Adventure

The Hero is presented with a problem, challenge, or adventure to undertake which forces him to leave his Ordinary World behind

Also called “The Inciting Incident”- what happens to make the rest of your story happen.

Establishes the stakes of the story- what there is to gain, the hero’s goal Ex. Odysseus is called to fight for Sparta in

the Trojan War. Ex. Dorothy must find the Wizard of Oz to

return home

Stage 3: The Refusal of the Call

Initially, the hero feels reluctance to go on the journey. He or she fears the change that is coming. Ex. Odysseus didn’t want to leave his newborn

son and wife behind.

Eventually the hero will undertake the journey, either after encouragement or if circumstances change. Ex. Athena encouraged Odysseus to go on the

journey.

Stage 4: Meeting the MentorStage 4: Meeting the Mentor A parental figure who

prepares the hero for the unknown Ex. Athena Ex. Glenda the Good Witch Ex. Rafiki

The Mentor provides an The Mentor provides an amulet to help the heroamulet to help the hero Ex. Dorothy’s Ruby

Slippers Ex. Luke’s lightsaber

Gandalf the Grey is Frodo’s Mentor

Stage 5: Crossing of the First Threshold

The Hero has overcome fear to fully commit to the journey. This is the point of no return.

This is the end of Act I of your movie. The hero has decided to act and will now be implementing that action. Ex. Dorothy takes her first steps onto the

Yellow Brick Road. Ex. Odysseus begins his arduous journey

home Ex. Simba leaves Pride Rock.

Stage 6: Tests, Allies, and Enemies

The hero learns the special rules of the new world. Ex. Dorothy encounters Munchkins and witches. Ex. Simba learns to eat bugs to survive.

The hero meets allies and enemies. Ex. Odysseus finds an ally in the god of wind. He finds an

enemy with the Cyclops Ex. Dorothy meets the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly

Lion. She meets the Wicked witch of the West. Ex. Simba meets Timon and Pumba.

The hero is tested. Ex. Dorothy oils the Tin Man and gets the Scarecrow off

the nail. Ex. Odysseus escapes Polyphemus (the Cyclops)

Stage 7: Approach to the Inmost Cave

The Hero is at the edge of a dangerous place where the object of his quest is hidden. Ex. Odysseus must pass between the

whirlpool and the monster to get home. Ex. Dorothy gets kidnapped by the Wicked

Witch and her friends must rescue her. Ex. Luke’s ship gets sucked into the Death

Star.

Stage 8: The Supreme Ordeal

The Hero has hit rock bottom in direct confrontation with his greatest fear.

Faces the possibility of death. Ex. Dorothy and all her friends are caught by

the Witch. Ex. All of Odysseus’s men die. Odysseus barely

survives. Ex. Simba confronts his father’s memory

The climactic moment of the story. The end of Act II.

Stage 9: Reward – Seizing the Prize

The Hero has survived death and beaten his foe. He now claims his reward. Sometimes this is simply knowledge or experience. Ex. Dorothy gets the Wicked Witch’s broomstick

for the Wizard. Ex. Simba accepts that he is the rightful king of

Pride Rock and goes back to claim his throne.

Sometimes there is reconciliation with father figure or with a member of the opposite sex.

Stage 10: The Road BackStage 10: The Road Back The hero deals with the consequences of

the supreme ordeal.

The hero makes his way back to his ordinary world, sometimes pursued by a parent or the gods if they haven’t resolved their conflict with him. Ex. Odysseus finds his castle overrun with

suitors for his wife. Ex. Dorothy and the Wizard get ready to take

their hot air balloon back to Kansas. Ex. Simba heads home to find Pride Rock in

ruins.

Stage 11: Threshold Crossing - Stage 11: Threshold Crossing - ResurrectionResurrection The hero is reborn, able to return to his

or her ordinary life but with new insight. The hero’s final test. Ex. Dorothy clicks her heels to return

home, and wakes up in her bed. Ex. Odysseus reveals himself to the suitors

and kills them all. Ex. Simba reveals to the pride that he is

alive and kills Scar.

Stage 12: Return with Elixir – “Freedom to Live”

The hero must have gained something from his journey otherwise he is doomed to repeat it.

This is sometimes treasure, sometimes a magic potion, and sometimes knowledge or experience. Ex. Simba brings back his confidence in his

ability to rule Pride Rock. Ex. Dorothy brings back the knowledge that

she is loved at home.