The Hero's Journey

Hero With a Thousand Faces

A book by Joseph Campbell discussing his theory of the journey of a hero in mythology

Guide

Although the hero is ultimately the one who faces the challenges, he usually has a guide, someone who will offer the hero guidance and wisdom

Atonement with Father

Becomes as one with the "father" and helps hero take place as a leader in society

Companions

Characters throughout the journey that help the hero face challenges

Joseph Campbell

Discovered the hero's journey

Brother Battle

Hero battles physically or mentally someone that the hero is related to

Dragon Battle

Hero faces some sort of monster or inner demon

Magic Flight/ Pursuit

Hero is being chased or is trying to escape something

Apotheosis

Hero is held up as the ideal or is worshipped

Crossing the Threshold

Hero leaves the ordinary, familiar world and moves to new, unfamiliar world

Meeting with the Goddess

Hero meets a character with special beauty or power

The Call to Adventure

Invites hero into the challenge

Answering the Call

Motivates the hero to accept the call

Talisman

Object with either intrinsic value or supernatural abilities that has special significance to the hero

Abduction

Often in the hero's journey, someone is abducted and taken away

Refusal of the Call

Often when the call is given, the future hero refuses to heed it, they avoid the challenge

Departure

Phase 1

Initiation

Phase 2

The Return

Phase 3

Rescue from Without

Point in the story where all seems hopeless

Sacred Marriage

Special connection with one person in the story and serves as motivation to continue the journey

Master of Two Worlds

The hero has conquered life in both the familiar and unfamiliar worlds

Refusal of Return

The hero initially refuses to return to the homeland

Ritual Death

The hero is injured, thought to be dead, or suffers injury in which he loses a limb

Ordinary World

The hero's home, familiar

Night or Sea travel

The hero's travels take the hero to far places

Freedom to Live

The problem is at last resolved, the hero can live freely

The Road of Trials

This is a series of tests, tasks or ordeals the person must undergo to begin transformation

Entering the Belly of the Whale

When the hero is drawn deep in a journey and must face his fear or the greatest evil, it is the person's lowest point

Crossing the Return Threshold

Where the hero clearly returns home