Heroes Journey : 12 Steps of the Heroes Journey Explained
A guided tour through the 12 steps of the Heroes Journey (Joseph Campbell's Monomyth). Using a blend of steps to produce a simplistic but flexible guide of steps and different phases possible. A copy of the PowerPoint can be accessed here, if you prefer to read instead of have pictures take over much of the screen, and don't like listening to a teacher explaining things: http://www.slideshare.net/skolber/the-12-steps-of-the-heroes-journey-joseph-campbell-monomyth The stages covered are: Twelve Stages of the Hero’s Journey “The Hero Quest” 2. Stage 1: Status Quo (Life in the ordinary world) • Normal everyday existence. • No conflict. • Life as usual. • Peaceful, calm, quiet, ordered. 3. Stage 2: A “call” to adventure • A serious situation emerges that threatens life in the ordinary world. • The hero is “summoned” or “called upon” to undertake a very important task or mission. 4. Stage 3: Assistance and Refusal of the call • The hero sees the task as overwhelming and feels inadequate or unable to fulfill the quest. • Or the hero doesn’t want to undertake the task or quest. • Or the hero doesn’t believe the quest is essential. • Or someone refuses the call for him/her. • The Herald / Mentor encourages, compels, or forces them to continue. 5. Stage 4: Departure / Discovering a Mentor • The hero leaves their old life and meets a mentor = Guide • The hero finds a mentor / “friend” who will guide, instruct, or lead them. • The mentor typically convinces the hero that the task or mission is necessary. 6. Stage 5: Trials / Passing the “threshold” • The hero leaves their world, their “home,” behind and embarks on a journey. • This marks the beginning of the quest. • Small challenges and trials are met. 7. Stage 6: Approach / Finding Allies and encountering enemies • Along the way, the hero discovers a band of allies who will help them along their quest. • The hero also learns who there enemies are. • The hero approaches the challenging place with their allies. 8. Stage 7: Crisis / Tests and challenges • The hero, alone or with allies, faces small challenges in the form of henchmen / threshold guardians • Hero undergoes many tests and challenges. • Each challenge brings them closer to their goal • Each challenge makes them stronger, bolder, wiser, etc… 9. Stage 8: Enters the innermost cave and collects / learns “the treasure”. • The hero must enter a place of darkness. • Literally: a deep cave, underground, a very dark and scary place. • Figuratively: emotional depression, sadness, melancholy. • Hero learns something of extreme value during this stage, claims the “treasure” (which will be key in the final battle). 10. Stage 9: Showdown / Result • The Hero undergoes the most challenging test. • Usually face-to-face with their mortal enemy. • The fight / battle is resolved. 11. Stage 10: Return / Resurrection • Literal or figurative • The hero dies and is miraculously brought back to life. • The hero is thought to be dead, only to return again, surprising everyone. • The hero is reborn into a higher state of being or consciousness. 12. Stage 11: New Life / Returning with the elixir • An “elixir” is a potent potion that restores one to health. • The hero brings back an “elixir” that restores their ordinary world. • The “elixir” can be peace, calm, hope, order, a cure, an actual healing potion, etc… • The hero has gained or learnt or fought for some new part of themselves. 13. Stage 12: Resolution •The hero/es have improved / changed, now they receive their reward, or claim their new place in the world. Awards or fame or riches or importance are earnt. Stage 1:
A guided tour through the 12 steps of the Heroes Journey (Joseph Campbell's Monomyth). Using a blend of steps to produce a simplistic but flexible guide of steps and different phases possible. A copy of the PowerPoint can be accessed here, if you prefer to read instead of have pictures take over much of the screen, and don't like listening to a teacher explaining things: http://www.slideshare.net/skolber/the-12-steps-of-the-heroes-journey-joseph-campbell-monomyth The stages covered are: Twelve Stages of the Hero’s Journey “The Hero Quest” 2. Stage 1: Status Quo (Life in the ordinary world) • Normal everyday existence. • No conflict. • Life as usual. • Peaceful, calm, quiet, ordered. 3. Stage 2: A “call” to adventure • A serious situation emerges that threatens life in the ordinary world. • The hero is “summoned” or “called upon” to undertake a very important task or mission. 4. Stage 3: Assistance and Refusal of the call • The hero sees the task as overwhelming and feels inadequate or unable to fulfill the quest. • Or the hero doesn’t want to undertake the task or quest. • Or the hero doesn’t believe the quest is essential. • Or someone refuses the call for him/her. • The Herald / Mentor encourages, compels, or forces them to continue. 5. Stage 4: Departure / Discovering a Mentor • The hero leaves their old life and meets a mentor = Guide • The hero finds a mentor / “friend” who will guide, instruct, or lead them. • The mentor typically convinces the hero that the task or mission is necessary. 6. Stage 5: Trials / Passing the “threshold” • The hero leaves their world, their “home,” behind and embarks on a journey. • This marks the beginning of the quest. • Small challenges and trials are met. 7. Stage 6: Approach / Finding Allies and encountering enemies • Along the way, the hero discovers a band of allies who will help them along their quest. • The hero also learns who there enemies are. • The hero approaches the challenging place with their allies. 8. Stage 7: Crisis / Tests and challenges • The hero, alone or with allies, faces small challenges in the form of henchmen / threshold guardians • Hero undergoes many tests and challenges. • Each challenge brings them closer to their goal • Each challenge makes them stronger, bolder, wiser, etc… 9. Stage 8: Enters the innermost cave and collects / learns “the treasure”. • The hero must enter a place of darkness. • Literally: a deep cave, underground, a very dark and scary place. • Figuratively: emotional depression, sadness, melancholy. • Hero learns something of extreme value during this stage, claims the “treasure” (which will be key in the final battle). 10. Stage 9: Showdown / Result • The Hero undergoes the most challenging test. • Usually face-to-face with their mortal enemy. • The fight / battle is resolved. 11. Stage 10: Return / Resurrection • Literal or figurative • The hero dies and is miraculously brought back to life. • The hero is thought to be dead, only to return again, surprising everyone. • The hero is reborn into a higher state of being or consciousness. 12. Stage 11: New Life / Returning with the elixir • An “elixir” is a potent potion that restores one to health. • The hero brings back an “elixir” that restores their ordinary world. • The “elixir” can be peace, calm, hope, order, a cure, an actual healing potion, etc… • The hero has gained or learnt or fought for some new part of themselves. 13. Stage 12: Resolution •The hero/es have improved / changed, now they receive their reward, or claim their new place in the world. Awards or fame or riches or importance are earnt. Stage 1: