The Hero’s JourneyNotes Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Heroes and their Story

Heroes Main character Undergo Change Learn a lesson

Story Characters possess qualities that are a part of

every human being Journey is both physical and spiritual

The Hero’s Journey

There are 12 stages to the journey Stages can be skipped, repeated or

changed Not just a physical journey but also a

psychological and/or emotional journey Shows the phases of growth the hero

undergoes

Notes Tuesday, 18 September 2012The Stages of the

Hero’s Journey

1. The Ordinary World

We get to know the hero in his/her home BEFORE the journey begins

We learn the hero’s drives, urges and problems

2. Call to Adventure

The hero’s ordinary world is disrupted with a challenge or quest

The hero begins his journey

3. Refusal of the Call

The hero has doubts about the call to adventure Fears Insecurities Understands the risk of the Call and the

likelihood of failure

4. Meeting with the Mentor

The hero meets with his/her mentor to gain: Insight/Advice Knowledge Training Magical Gifts

5. Crossing the Threshold

This is the stage which separates the ordinary world from the special world

The hero may have to accept his fears, a map, or a swift kick in the rear from a Mentor

No turning back

6. Test, Allies and Enemies

The hero is tested, meets allies and confronts enemies

Here, he/she learns the rules of the Special World

Who can be trusted and who is a rival

7. Approach to the Inmost Cave

Preparations made for the Ordeal Plan attacks, review a map If the hero is confident then he/she may

spend this time doing other things such as taking a break for a cigarette, making a joke and finding romance

8. The Ordeal

The Central life or death crisis Faces his greatest fear, confronts this

most difficult challenge, and experiences “death”

The Hero may directly taste death, or witness the death of an Ally or Mentor or, even worse, directly cause that death.

9. Reward

The hero has survived the Ordeal, survived death

He overcame his greatest fear, slain the dragon, or weathered the Crisis of the Heart, and now earns the Reward that he sought.

The Hero may have earned the Reward outright, or the Hero may have seen no option but to steal it.

10. The Road Back

The hero must return to the Ordinary World

Sometimes the hero doesn’t want to Sometimes there’s a time limit to get

home

11. Resurrection

Life and death crisis that occurs in the Ordinary World

The hero will apply what he/she has learned in the Special World

Physical ordeal or final showdown

Allies may come to help

12. The Return with the Elixir

The Hero has been resurrected, purified and has earned the right to be accepted back into the Ordinary World and share the Elixir of the Journey.

It could be love, wisdom, or simply the experience of surviving the Special World.