Hero's Journey: Monomyth

• Joseph Campbell was an American professor of literature who worked in comparative mythology and comparative religion.
• Campbell is known for his work on myths and the hero's journey.
• Campbell's work covers aspects of the human experience.
• The hero's journey is a common narrative archetype, or template, that involves a hero who goes on an adventure, faces a crisis, and wins a victory, then comes home changed or transformed.
• The hero's journey is also known as the monomyth.
• A monomyth is a recurring pattern throughout world mythology and storytelling.

The Hero's Journey/Monomyth

• The hero's journey is a basic pattern that is found in many narratives from around the world.
• The hero's journey consists of three main parts: departure, initiation, and return.
• Each of these parts has multiple stages.
• Not every hero's journey contains all of these stages, and the stages can also be reordered.
• The hero's journey is a flexible guideline.

Departure

• The hero is called to adventure, although they may initially refuse.

The Call to Adventure

• The hero receives an invitation to begin a quest or journey.
• This call can take many forms.
• The call might be a direct request for help, the discovery of something amiss, or another event that disrupts the comfortable status quo.

Refusal of the Call

• The hero hesitates or declines to heed the call to adventure.
• Refusal often stems from fear, insecurity, or a sense of inadequacy.
• The refusal creates conflict in the hero's mind.
• The refusal highlights the stakes of the journey.

Supernatural Aid

• A mentor figure provides assistance.
• Mentors guide or provide the hero with tools and knowledge needed for their quest.
• The mentor often has experience or wisdom that the hero lacks.
• The hero develops confidence and courage through the mentor.

Crossing the Threshold

• The hero commits to leaving the ordinary world and enter a new, unfamiliar world.
• The threshold marks the boundary between the known and the unknown.
• The hero faces an initial test or challenge when crossing the threshold.

Belly of the Whale

• The hero faces a major crisis.
• The hero confronts their greatest fears and doubts.
• The hero undergoes a form of transformation, shedding their old self.
• The hero embraces their new identity and purpose.
• The belly of the whale represents the final stage of the departure from the known world.

Initiation

• The hero faces trials and tribulations as they learn about themselves.

The Road of Trials

• The hero undergoes a series of tests, challenges, or ordeals that test their courage, strength, and skills.
• The hero confronts enemies, overcomes obstacles, and learns valuable lessons along the way.
• The hero forges alliances and encounters allies who aid them on their quest.

Meeting with the Goddess

• The hero encounters a powerful, nurturing figure who offers guidance, support, or inspiration.
• The goddess represents the feminine principle of love, compassion, and understanding.
• The hero may form a romantic bond with the goddess.

Woman as Temptress

• The hero faces temptation that could lead them to abandon or stray from their quest.
• The temptation can take form of a seductive figure or a desire for wealth, power, or pleasure.
• The hero must resist the temptation.
• The hero must stay true to their goals.

Atonement with the Father

• The hero confronts a father figure or authority figure who represents power, tradition, or the established order.
• The hero must reconcile with the father figure or overcome their opposition.
• The hero gains independence and maturity.

Apotheosis

• The hero experiences a moment of epiphany.
• The hero gains profound insight or understanding about themselves and the world around them.
• The hero transcends their limitations and achieves a state of enlightenment or spiritual awakening.

The Ultimate Boon

• The hero achieves the goal of their quest.
• The hero attains a treasure, possesses special knowledge, or achieves a personal transformation.
• The ultimate boon represents the culmination of the hero's efforts and the fulfillment of their destiny.

Return

• The hero returns home, transformed.

Refusal of the Return

• The hero hesitates or refuses to return to the ordinary world.
• The hero is reluctant to leave behind the enlightenment, knowledge, or power they have obtained.
• The hero questions whether they can readjust to their previous life.

The Magic Flight

• The hero experiences a thrilling escape or pursuit as they journey back to the ordinary world.
• The hero relies on their skills, allies, or magical assistance to evade enemies.
• The hero overcomes obstacles in their path.

Rescue from Without

• The hero receives assistance from unexpected sources as they struggle to return to the ordinary world.
• The hero may be rescued by allies, mentors, or supernatural forces who intervene on their behalf.
• Rescue highlights the interconnectedness of individuals and the importance of community support.

The Crossing of the Return Threshold

• The hero returns to the ordinary world.
• The hero integrates their newfound knowledge, wisdom, or power into their everyday life.
• The hero bridges the gap between the ordinary and extraordinary realms.

Master of Two Worlds

• The hero achieves a balance between the material and spiritual realms.
• The hero is comfortable and competent in both the ordinary world and the extraordinary world.
• The hero can navigate between different realities.

Freedom to Live

• The hero is free from fear, doubt, or limitation.
• The hero lives in the present moment.
• The hero embraces life with joy, gratitude, and acceptance.
• The hero inspires others through their example.
• The hero's journey comes full circle.