Hero’s Journey

Theory from Joseph Campbell

Originated published by Mythologist Josephy Campbell in his mater piece, The Hero with a Thousand Faces and further popularized to the phrase “The hero’s journey”, by The Hero’s Journey: The World of Joseph Campbell. It talkes about common patterns in plots of hero’s journeys.

Stages

1. Ordinary World
2. The Call to Adventure
3. Refusal of the Call
4. Meeting with the Mentor
5. Crossing the Threshold
6. Tests, Allies, Enemies
7. Approaching the Cave
8. The Ordeal
9. The Reward
10. The Road Back
11. Resurrection
12. Returning with the Elixir

Narrative

The hero is introduced in his ORDINARY WORLD where he receives the CALL TO ADVENTURE. He is RELUCTANT at first to CROSS THE FIRST THRESHOLD where he eventually encounters TESTS, ALLIES and ENEMIES. He reaches the INNERMOST CAVE where he endures the SUPREME ORDEAL. He SEIZES THE SWORD or the treasure and is pursued on the ROAD BACK to his world. He is RESURRECTED and transformed by his experience. He RETURNS to his ordinary world with a treasure, boon, or ELIXIR to benefit his world.