The Hero’s Journey or The Hero’s Journey or QuestQuest

The “quest” pattern is one of The “quest” pattern is one of the most popular archetypal the most popular archetypal

stories. It has been used over stories. It has been used over and over through time, and over through time,

through myths, stories, novels, through myths, stories, novels, movies, etc. Therefore, it is movies, etc. Therefore, it is

one of the most recognizable one of the most recognizable patterns. patterns.

The classic or “basic” hero's journey outlines The classic or “basic” hero's journey outlines the search for someone, something, or even the search for someone, something, or even information. information.

While on the journey, the hero faces a series While on the journey, the hero faces a series of steps where they triumph over challenges of steps where they triumph over challenges or evil. or evil.

This pattern has been followed by all This pattern has been followed by all mythological heroes across all cultures. The mythological heroes across all cultures. The Quest for the Holy Grail in Arthurian Legend Quest for the Holy Grail in Arthurian Legend is one example of this common pattern. More is one example of this common pattern. More commonly, The Fellowship of the Ring is commonly, The Fellowship of the Ring is another example. another example.

Therefore, in order to be “called Therefore, in order to be “called a hero” and achieve such “great” a hero” and achieve such “great” status, the character has to be status, the character has to be successful at each “stage” in successful at each “stage” in order to be worthy enough to order to be worthy enough to progress to the next step in the progress to the next step in the journey. journey.

The Hero’s Journey: The Hero’s Journey: A Common Cycle in A Common Cycle in

LiteratureLiterature

2. The Call to Adventure

3. Separation from Community

AND

4. Entry to the Unknown

5. Facing Tests and Trials

(Obstacles)

6. Supreme Ordeal

Faces the Hardest Test

7. Emergence from the World of the

Unknown

8. Return to Own Community

1. The Birth of the Hero is Described

OR

Background Information on the Hero is Provided

The Common CycleThe Common Cycle The Birth of the Hero is Described OR Background Information on the Hero

is Provided::

Traditionally the hero’s mother is a virgin, Traditionally the hero’s mother is a virgin, the circumstances of his conception are the circumstances of his conception are unusual, and at birth some attempt is unusual, and at birth some attempt is made to kill him. He is spirited away and made to kill him. He is spirited away and raised by foster parents. raised by foster parents. OROR Information Information about the “hero” is shared. At this time in about the “hero” is shared. At this time in the story, you may not know that this the story, you may not know that this character will be “the hero”character will be “the hero”

The Common Hero’s The Common Hero’s CycleCycle

The Call to Adventure The Call to Adventure The hero is “called” by himself or others to The hero is “called” by himself or others to

complete a task that will take him away from complete a task that will take him away from his regular “role” in his own society. He often his regular “role” in his own society. He often faces danger. The “call” can require him to faces danger. The “call” can require him to rescue someone, attain an object or go out on rescue someone, attain an object or go out on his own for self-growthhis own for self-growth. .

Separation and Entry to the UnknownSeparation and Entry to the Unknown As a result of the call, the hero must leave As a result of the call, the hero must leave

the safety of his own known community and the safety of his own known community and venture into a world of unknown dangers. venture into a world of unknown dangers.

The Hero’s Quest The Hero’s Quest ContinuesContinues

Facing Tests and Trials (Obstacles) The character who is the hero faces a number of

challenges on his journey. He may be faced with mental choices, physical tests, spiritual questions, etc.

The Supreme Ordeal This is the MOST difficult challenge or obstacle

that the hero faces. Completing and overcoming this “trial” marks the end of the “testing” stage where the hero had to prove his worth.

The Hero’s JourneyThe Hero’s Journey Emergence from the World of the

Unknown After the hero has completed his last task, he

leaves the world of the unknown. Return The hero heads back to his family, friends, and

home within his or her own community. The hero brings back knowledge, perhaps goods,

returns his community to safety or provides some other reward for the good of others.

The hero himself receives a reward of honour, acknowledgement, respect and perhaps love for his efforts.