The Story ofThe Hero's Journey
For thousands of years humankind has passed down stories of everyday heroes who face great challenges and discover they are far more powerful than they believed.
Today these stories are told in epic movies. Before modern times, people shared them as legends and myths.
Joseph Campbell
Scholar Joseph Campbell devoted his life to studying these myths and legends. He discovered that every civilization told essentially the same story of courage and transformation. He named this monomyth — the Hero's Journey. And he identified 12 stages that recur in most of these stories.
Joe Campbell believed this story was told and re-told because it shows humankind the path to find the hero within. Something all humans yearn to discover. Campbell believed that this story, passed on for millennia, is a human birthright
His book, The Hero With a Thousand Faces, has been published in 26 languages. It has impacted the fields of psychology, education, management, storytelling, biography and popular culture.
Joe Campbell believed this story was told and re-told because it shows humankind the path to find the hero within. Something all humans yearn to discover. Campbell believed that this story, passed on for millennia, is a human birthright
Some psychologists have speculated that we are born with the hero's journey archetype resonating in our minds. That it lies dormant, waiting to be awakened by these stories that have been re-told throughout history. Campbell warned that if you ignore your call to adventure, you risk living a hum-drum life that will never afford you the true fulfillment that life can offer.
Some psychologists have speculated that we are born with the hero's journey archetype resonating in our minds.
Campbell found that every culture's monomyths involve a hero who answers a calling … crosses a threshold … goes on an adventure that brings her face to face with her deepest fear … she meets allies and enemies … faces a decisive crisis … and comes home transformed … wiser … and ready to share what she has learned.
The Stages of the Hero's Journey
1. Ordinary world
2. Call to adventure
3. Refusal of the call
4. Meeting with the mentor
5. Crossing the first threshold
6. Tests, allies, and enemies
7. Approach to the inmost cave
8. The ordeal
9. Reward
10. The road back
11. The resurrection
12. Return with the gift
