The Hero’s Journey

Freshman Honors EnglishCoronado High School Edited for non-honors by Letty Burr

Joseph Campbell1904-1987

"Myth is the secret opening through which the inexhaustible energies of the cosmos pour into human manifestation..." (Joseph Campbell, Hero with a Thousand Faces)

 

Quotes about Heroes

A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Christopher Reeve

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

Elements of the Epic Hero Cycle (from http://edsitement.neh.gov)

The main character is a hero, who is often possessed of supernatural abilities or qualities.

The hero is charged with a quest. The hero is tested, often to prove the worthiness of himself and his quest. The presence of numerous mythical beings, magical and helpful animals,

and human helpers and companions. The hero’s travels take him to a supernatural world, often one that

normal human beings are barred from entering. The cycle must reach a low point where the hero nearly gives up his

quest or appears defeated. A resurrection. Restitution. Often this takes the form of the hero regaining his rightful

place on the throne.

Home/Ordinary World

A place of security, support, familiarity

Known patterns of thinking and behaving

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTxlh65Pe14

Call to Adventure

The “hero” is called to adventure. He or she is chosen for a task

/ http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki

Refusal of the call

Hero expresses fear Becomes reluctant or refuses

http://second-reel.blogspot.com

Meeting the Mentor

The Hero meets with a mentor. Usually an elder who gives advice, train, teaches, and/or helps with the pursuit.

http://www.cc-sd.edu/

The Threshold

The hero crosses from the old life to the new

http://hp-remembrall.livejournal.com/

Test, Allies and Enemies

Dark, lonely, dangerous No longer has support of “home” Many ordeals, trials from allies and

enemies

http://turtlepedia.wikia.comhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Voldemort

http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Black_Quill

http://www.playbuzz.com/sugarscape10/would-you-survive-the-triwizard-tournament

Approach the Inmost Cave

Hero makes final preparations for the big battle.

http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=127948&page=4

http://uncorkedthoughts.blogspot.com/2013/05/harry-potter-z-forbidden-forest.html

http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Marvolo_Gaunt's_Ring

The Ordeal Temptation

Endures temptations of the soul Ordeals

Tests of strength and inner power Faces greatest fear/death

http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Limbohttp://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Killing_Curse

The Reward

Hero enjoys the reward of having confronted fear and death.

http://julie.milan-forum.com/les-magazines-et-blogs-des-julienautes-f57/meli-melo-t86958-120.html

The Road Back

Hero returns home Recommits to completing the journey.

http://www.jkrowling.com/en_GB/#/timeline/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-2-film/

http://artofspying.net/2015/01/26/quiz-secret-societies-in-deathly-hallows-part-ii/

Resurrection

Purifies, redeems, and transforms the hero on the threshold home.

Hero possibly faces a climactic ordeal.

http://www.hitfix.com/articles/watch-harry-potter-vs-voldemort-in-deathly-hallows-part-ii-clips

Returns Home with Elixir

Survives ordeals Gains self knowledge Able to help others create a new

world Elixir mostly metaphorical

http://blog.mugglenet.com/2014/03/which-deathly-hallows-ending-did-you-prefer/

http://www.wikihow.com/Draw-the-Sign-of-the-Deathly-Hallows

http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/harry-potter/images/29073434/title/golden-trio-screencap

Where are you going to find the hero’s journey?

MoviesVideo Games

Religion/MythologyTelevision

Nonfiction---Real Life

Are heroes “archetypes”?

A common understanding of a type of person, character

Crosses cultural lines The epitome of a hero, a monster, etc.

An archetype is merely a defining example of a personality type. The "mother figure" can be considered an

archetype and instances can be found in various female characters with distinct (non-generic) personalities.

What is an archetype? Archetypes have been present in folklore

and literature for thousands of years and appear to be present in prehistoric artwork.

The use of archetypes to analyze personality was advanced by Carl Jung early in the 20th century.

The value in using archetypal characters in fiction derives from the fact that a large group of people are able to unconsciously recognize the archetype, and thus the motivations, behind the character's behavior.

 Quest: This is the hero quest, which the archetypal character sets out on. The hero may not realize he is on such a quest until it is too late to retreat.

Works Cited http://www.websterschools.org/webpages/swoodward/files/Heroic%20Archetypes.doc http://darmano.typepad.com/logic_emotion/images/2007/08/08/hero_2.jpg http://danp.us/gallery/odyssey_map.jpg http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.sunkissvillas.com/assets/

wallpaper/Cinderella/cinderella_1024x768.jpg&imgrefurl=http://chaarmax.wordpress.com/&h=768&w=1025&sz=453&hl=en&start=73&tbnid=fMl7oIUShIcH_M:&tbnh=112&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dprince%2Bcharming%26start%3D60%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN

http://www.john-howe.com/portfolio/gallery/data/media/23/049-The-Last-Dragon-port.jpg

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/End%2520of%2520the%2520World/dragon_2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/End%2520of%2520the%2520World/dragons_in_the_bible.htm&h=312&w=322&sz=14&hl=en&start=21&um=1&tbnid=0l8hYh-ohxtqjM:&tbnh=114&tbnw=118&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddragon%26start%3D20%26ndsp%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN

http://www.jcf.org/works.php?id=272 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archetype http://www.herowithin.com/ (from http://edsitement.neh.gov) monomythic.wordpress.com/.../