The Hero’s Journey:The Hero’s Journey:

A Summary of the Hero CycleA Summary of the Hero Cycle

or Hero MonoMythor Hero MonoMyth

Joseph’s Campbell’s Hero Joseph’s Campbell’s Hero CycleCycle

Developed an archetype for heroes in literature and folklore

•A pattern or theme that reoccurs in many different cultures

•Good (light) vs. evil (darkness)

Also known as a monomyth, Campbell created an outline that most heroic tales follow

•General pattern of adventures that mythological heroes encounter during their quests.

Hero Cycle StructureHero Cycle Structure

Separation (or Departure)Separation (or Departure)

InitiationInitiation

ReturnReturn

http://hubcap.clemson.edu/~sparks/heroj.html

SeparationSeparationCall to AdventureCall to Adventure– Hero is in state of anguish; call comes when Hero is in state of anguish; call comes when

psychological forces of mind are unbalancedpsychological forces of mind are unbalanced– Lured to, carried away to, or volunteers for adventureLured to, carried away to, or volunteers for adventure

Refusal to CallRefusal to Call– Hero is sometimes distracted or turns back on call; Hero is sometimes distracted or turns back on call;

things then go sourthings then go sour

Supernatural AidSupernatural Aid– Hero encounters a helper, usually a wise, old man, who Hero encounters a helper, usually a wise, old man, who

gives both psychological and physical weaponsgives both psychological and physical weapons– Comic relief often provided here by trickstersComic relief often provided here by tricksters

Separation (cont.)Separation (cont.)Threshold CrossingThreshold Crossing– Hero eventually must cross into dark Hero eventually must cross into dark

underworld, where they face evil; they must underworld, where they face evil; they must first pass a guardian before finding true first pass a guardian before finding true enlightenmentenlightenment

– May defeat guardian or be slain and descend May defeat guardian or be slain and descend into “death”into “death”

Belly of the WhaleBelly of the Whale– Having gotten past the guardian, the hero is in Having gotten past the guardian, the hero is in

a place of darkness, or fluid, dream-like formsa place of darkness, or fluid, dream-like forms

InitiationInitiationRoad of TrialsRoad of Trials– Once in the underworld, the hero is repeatedly Once in the underworld, the hero is repeatedly

threatened with mental and physical obstacles threatened with mental and physical obstacles to overcometo overcome

– Supernatural aid comes in handy here!Supernatural aid comes in handy here!Meeting with the GoddessMeeting with the Goddess– With all obstacles overcome, the hero can find With all obstacles overcome, the hero can find

bliss in the arms of a lover (the ultimate prize bliss in the arms of a lover (the ultimate prize for the hero)for the hero)

Woman as a TemptressWoman as a Temptress– Negative side to goddess in the form of lustful Negative side to goddess in the form of lustful

temptation, meant to distract hero from temptation, meant to distract hero from ultimate goal (back to darkness)ultimate goal (back to darkness)

Initiation (cont.)Initiation (cont.)Atonement with the FatherAtonement with the Father– Father and son are often pitted against each other; to Father and son are often pitted against each other; to

understand the father (and the self), the hero must understand the father (and the self), the hero must reconcile with his father (ultimate authority figure)reconcile with his father (ultimate authority figure)

ApotheosisApotheosis– Must face darkness alone and conquer itMust face darkness alone and conquer it– Hero experiences breakthrough expansion of Hero experiences breakthrough expansion of

consciousness. Their idea of reality is changed; they consciousness. Their idea of reality is changed; they have new talents/powershave new talents/powers

– Often have larger point of view, allowing them to Often have larger point of view, allowing them to sacrifice themselvessacrifice themselves

Ultimate BoonUltimate Boon– Hero’s psychological forces are balanced again; hero’s Hero’s psychological forces are balanced again; hero’s

newfound knowledge (or boon) has potential to benefit newfound knowledge (or boon) has potential to benefit societysociety

ReturnReturnRefusal of the ReturnRefusal of the Return– Having found bliss and enlightenment in the Having found bliss and enlightenment in the

underworld, the hero may not want to return underworld, the hero may not want to return with the boonwith the boon

Magic FlightMagic Flight– Hero makes mad dash to return with prizeHero makes mad dash to return with prize

Rescue from WithoutRescue from Without– Hero needs to be rescued from underworldHero needs to be rescued from underworld

Return (cont.)Return (cont.)Crossing of Return ThresholdCrossing of Return Threshold– Hero must confront guard againHero must confront guard again

First crossing was symbolic death, second is symbolic First crossing was symbolic death, second is symbolic rebirthrebirth

Master of Two WorldsMaster of Two Worlds– Hero is now free to move back and forth Hero is now free to move back and forth

between two worlds at will; hero has mastered between two worlds at will; hero has mastered psychological forcespsychological forces

Freedom to LiveFreedom to Live– Hero has found true freedom and can turn Hero has found true freedom and can turn

efforts to helping humanityefforts to helping humanity