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 asserted
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:
Departure
Breaking away
from the old life
A. 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.
B.
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.
Acceptance of
the Call
The hero finally accedes,
realizing that there is nobody
else who is better qualified to or
available to accept responsibility.
C. Supernatural Aid
The hero
receives a gift
to help on the
journey.
The ruby
slippers
A
conscience
D. Crossing the First
Threshold
The hero leaves
the old world
behind and enters
the new.
Dorothy is carried
away to Oz by the
tornado.
E. The Belly of the Whale
Like Jonah and Pinocchio,
the hero experiences the
“dark night of the soul”
and must face his faults
and the truth about his
own flaws.
For some, the belly of the
whale experience is a
situation in which the hero
enters a physical zone of
danger.
The message
is that we all
have a
shadow self
and must
deal with it
at some point
in our lives.
Part II
Initiation
During the
“Initiation” phase,
the hero learns how
to live in the new
world.
A. The Road of Trials
The hero learns
that life in the
world of
adventure can
be difficult.
B. Meeting with the
Goddess
A wise or
magical woman
gives guidance
or advice to the
hero.
C. 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.
D. Apotheosis
(from Greek roots meaning “from God”)
The hero recognizes his/her
true identity - that spark of
divinity within.
But you’ve
always had the
power to
go home!
E. The Ultimate Boon
The hero succeeds in his/her mission.
Dorothy
returns to
Emerald
City with
the witch’s
broom.
Part III.
The Return
A. Refusal of Return
The hero wonders if it’s
possible to return to the
old life.
“How can I go back?”
B. 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.
C. Rescue from Without
The hero escapes
with a little
outside help.
D. Crossing the
Return Threshold
Finally,
the hero
returns to
“Kansas.”
E. Mastery of Two
Worlds
The hero realizes
that he can be at
home in two
worlds.
He is wiser
and more
confident.
F. Freedom to Live
Having faced evil
- both from
within and
without - the
hero is free from
powerlessness
and 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 Mundane
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.
Failed Hero
The guy who
didn’t make it.
In Memory of Biggs Darklighter
Wearing the Enemy’s Skin
The hero
must disguise
himself as
the enemy.
The Shape Shifter
An archetypal
friend or
enemy with
ambiguous or
shifting
loyalties.
Why?
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.
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.
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
“Follow
your
bliss.”
- Joseph
Campbell