The Quest of the

Epic Hero

Monomyth• Monomyth – “the one story”

• The heroic quest story has remarkably the same structure from culture to culture

• The hero will wear the particular “costume” of his or her culture, but is really the same hero underneath, facing the same kinds of challenges

Ordinary World

UnknownAlternative World

(Initial Refusal of the Call)

Call to Adventur

e

Meeting with the Mentor Inner Wisdom and

Courage Supernatural Aid

Crossing the Threshold

Challenges

Temptations

Enemies

Friends

Allies

Helpers

Death

New Life

Return with the Elixir

The Road Back to the Ordinary World

Resurrection

*The Reward*

TheAbyss

Transformation

The Hero’s Quest

Empire Strikes Back – descent into the abyss

Return of the Jedi – transformation & resurrection of

hero

A New Hope – call to adventure and crossing the threshold of a new world.

Mythic Hero• A mythic hero can be male or female• A mythic hero usually has a remarkable birth or childhood• A mythic hero is often the son or daughter of a God and a

human being• A mythic hero possesses qualities of both mortals and

immortals• A mythic hero often shows early signs of being special,

possessing either superhuman strength or supernatural powers

• A mythic hero often triumphs over cosmic forces and bring about revival of their society or the entire world

Folktale Hero• A folktale hero is an

ordinary person

• A folktale hero is often underprivileged in some way

• A folktale hero may not have superhuman abilities, although he or she may be extraordinary in other ways (ex: exceptionally kind, clever, or resourceful)

Mythic & Folktale Heroes

• Both are called to participate in an adventure or face a series of tests or challenges

• The hero might attempt to refuse to face these challenges, but will eventually be forced to assume their heroic role

The Heroic Quest• Quest – a journey taken in search of something of

value or importance– A quest is a journey taken in search of:

• a person• an abstract concept• a concret object

– A character flaw may arise and cause problems (pride, impatience)

– A quest must take the hero to a place or to face a situation that no ordinary human being would dare enter

Mythical Hero’s Quest

• Mythical heroes are often aided by loyal friends, Gods or Goddesses

Folktale Hero’s Quest

• Folktale heroes are often helped by people, animals, or magical beings

(who might be repaying the hero for good deeds done earlier)