Transcript The Hero with a Thousand Faces

An Archetypal Story
Archetype:
A pattern, such as a type
of character or type of
story, that is repeated in
literature.
The hero’s journey is one
of the oldest story
archetypes on the planet.
Some say it’s
older than the
Pyramids…
And Stonehenge…
And even cave
drawings.
(Vogler)
The components of
the hero’s journey
were identified and
developed by Joseph
Campbell, who was
the world’s foremost
authority on
mythology.
In his book, The
Hero with a
Thousand Faces,
Campbell argued that
all storytelling
follows the ancient
patterns of myth,
and …
…that all
stories use
elements of
the Hero’s
Journey.
Campbell
called this
archetype a
Monomyth.
George Lucas, the
creator of Star
Wars, consulted
with Campbell
while writing the
scripts for the
first Star Wars
trilogy.
The function
of the story
is to
entertain,
to instruct,
and to
inspire.
The hero’s journey
is a metaphor
for life itself.
Part I
Separation
Breaking away
from the old life
Ordinary World & The
Call to Adventure
The hero is compelled to leave
a mundane life and seek
adventure or begin a quest for
something specific.
Odysseus is
called to
fight the
Trojan War
Pinocchio wants
to become a
real boy.
Dorothy wants
to leave Kansas.
The Refusal of the Call
The hero has second thoughts;
adventure looks too risky.
Dorothy runs
back to the
farm and
Auntie Em.
A storm is
brewing.
Supernatural AidMeet the Mentor
The hero receives
a gift to help on
the journey.
The ruby
slippers
A
conscience
Part II
Descent
The hero leaves the
known and enters the
unknown world.
Crossing the Threshold &
Acceptance of the Call
The hero finally gives in,
realizing that there is nobody
else who is better qualified to
or available to accept
responsibility.
The hero leaves
the old world
behind and enters
the new.
Dorothy is carried
away to Oz by the
tornado.
Test & Trials
The hero
learns that life
in the world of
adventure can
be difficult.
Allies & Enemies
The hero
encounters both
helpers and those
that seek to
prevent him from
achieving his goal.
Meeting with the
Goddess
A wise or
magical
woman gives
guidance or
advice to
the hero.
Atonement
with the
Father
The hero may come up against a 'father
figure' who must be beaten, persuaded, or
whose approval must be achieved in some
way. Ultimately, by whatever means, the
difficult relationship between the two
must be reconciled.
Part III.
The
Initiation
The Ordeal
The hero must face his biggest fear or
overcome his biggest challenge. The fate
of the world may be at stake, and it may
cost him his life and/or the lives of those
he loves most.
The Ultimate Boon
The hero succeeds in his/her
mission.
Dorothy
returns to
Emerald
City with
the witch’s
broom.
But you’ve
always had the
power to
go home!
Part IV.
The Return
The Road Back
The hero wonders if it’s
possible to return to the
old life.
“How can I go back?”
Resurrection & Change:
Apotheosis
(from Greek root meaning “from God”)
The hero recognizes
his/her true identity that spark of divinity
within.
Magic Flight
Upon deciding to return
home, the hero must “flee”
from yet another danger.
(Here, “flight” refers to
fleeing, not flying, though
sometimes flying is involved.)
There’s no
place like
home.
Rescue from Without
The hero escapes with
a little outside help.
Return & Reward
Finally,
the hero
returns to
“Kansas.”
Reward:
Mastery of Two
Worlds
The hero realizes
that he can be at
home in two
worlds.
He is wiser
and more
confident.
Reward:
Freedom to Live
Having faced evil - both from
within and without - the hero
is free from his/her greatest
fear.
Common Mythic Elements
Like the inevitable chase scene in
action films,
the monomyth contains some
standard features.
The Young
Hero who
yearns for
adventure.
Two worlds:
The Ordinary
And the
Fantastic
The
Mentor
who trains
the hero
in special
skills.
The Oracle
A wise - almost omniscient seer who guides the hero.
The Prophecy
A legend or ancient
prophecy that the hero is
expected to fulfill.
Why study this?
The monomyth of the
hero’s journey helps
us answer the most
profound questions
of the universe.
Why…
… am I here?
…is there suffering?
What…
…is the meaning of life?
“A hero is someone who
reaches the edge of death,
steals a piece of magic,
then brings the magic
home to share with his
community.” (Brennan)
We are all heroes on our separate journeys
and
our mission
is to make
the world a better place.
“Follow
your
bliss.”
- Joseph
Campbell
Written and
produced by
Mollie Kelleher
Teacher of English
Longmont High School
St. Vrain Valley School District
Adapted and edited by
Matthew Opal
“What it Is”
Written & performed
by Mark Knopfler
Teacher of English
Silver Creek High School
St. Vrain Valley School District
MMII
References
Brennan, Kristen. “Star Wars Origins.” 1999-2001.
Jitterbug Fantasia. <http://www.jitterbug.com/
orgins/myth.html> 20 Sept. 2002.
Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces.
New York: Mythos Books, 1949.
Vogler, Christopher. “The Writer’s Journey.” 2002.
Michael Weiss Productions. <http://www.mwp.com
/pages/bookswritourmore.html> 20 Sept. 2002.