The Monomyth

1. Joseph Campbell The Monomyth

3. Campbell’s thesis is that all myths follow this structure to some extent The Odyssey The story of Moses in The Bible The Lord of the Rings Alice in Wonderland Harry Potter The Lion King King Arthur … and many more The Monomyth

4. Bob Dylan Jim Morrison George Lucas Jerry Garcia Christopher Vogler – Disney Studios Stanley Kubrick People influenced by campbell

6. The Departure / Separation The Initiation The Return Three sections

7. Hero begins in his normal, mundane world There is usually a trigger: a challenge, problem, or a request There may be figurative or literal treasure There is tension – will he/she accept or not? The call may be gradual or forceful The hero may need encouragement to begin Stage 1: the departureThe call to action / adventure

9. Hero may initially hesitate Hero is reluctant to leave home / normal, everyday life Call may not seem important Hero may have responsibilities Refusal of the call

11. The hero realizes there is nobody better to do the job There may be no one else available The hero may need the encouragement of a mentor Acceptance of the call

13. The hero is given help to make him wiser, stronger, better able to face the challenges Aid may be maps, information, weapons, or a special talisman Supernatural aid

15. The hero is given support and aid by a teacher Often, the archetype of the wise, old man is presented mentor

16. The hero is joined by friends who will help with the adventure and support the hero in the different trials Sometimes they contrast the hero to emphasize the positive traits of the hero companions

17. This is the point of no return as the hero sets out on the journey He must leave the home world and enter the new world of adventure This is a very symbolic act often signifying a stage in a rite of passage It is a defining, scary moment; the hero is now independent It may be guarded by people, monsters, or difficulties which have to be overcome Crossing the first threshold

19. The hero defeats the Threshold Guardian and finds himself/herself in a dark place The hero may find his true purpose The belly may be an ambiguous place There is definite danger This is based on the Biblical story of Jonah It may involve the “lion’s den or dragon’s lair” Entering the belly of the whale

20. The hero is on “the road” of the journey This is the pathway he/she must follow He/she will encounter physical and mental challenges that will improve his/her skills The hero grows in confidence and capability There may be a “brother battle” with a familiar foe (also a “dragon battle / monster”) The hero gains strength with each trial Stage 2: the initiationthe road of trials

22. The hero meets a powerful female figure with whom he finds unity and bonding She is the “amina” (female side) to his male side/soul; combined he is a total person She is beautiful, queen-like, or motherly She gives support She may be ordinary or a mystical, supernatural being The meeting with the goddess

24. Hero meets temptation in female form She offers short-term relief or gratification To give in to her would cause the mission to fail She is symbolic of short-term pleasures that test the hero’s ability to make difficult judgments She may be deliberately sent by a villain Woman as temptress from true path

26. Hero encounters a father-like, patriarchal authority Father and son are often pitted against one another but must be reconciled The father must be beaten, persuaded, or approval gained The person may be a high authority or an immortal The hero gains power by taking it from father Atonement with the father

27. The point at which the hero achieves a greater understanding after overcoming these trials It is a breakthrough moment in consciousness The old hero “dies” and is reborn as a more resolved self The hero may change in appearance The hero is ready for the difficult task, even death (self-sacrifice) apotheosis

29. The goal of the journey is achieved This happens after a battle with the villain or a difficult trial The hero is psychologically balanced The hero is ready to receive the gift The is the climax of the story The ultimate boon

30. The hero has finished his/her quest and Doesn’t want to leave the new world / return to the old world He / she is afraid that the old world may not accept the “new” person who changed because of the journey Stage 3: the Returnrefusal of the return

32. The hero decides to return home The hero may be accompanied by a protector who helps overcome obstacles on the way home The hero may have to face those who he angered on the journey The magic flight

34. On the way home, the hero may need rescued from A state of helplessness or bliss or from Death Rescue from without

36. On the way home, the hero must again cross the threshold that separates the new and old worlds The hero may have to defeat another gatekeeper The hero is again symbolically “reborn” after his “death” of the first threshold crossing Crossing of the return threshold

37. The hero realizes there is nothing separating his home and the new world The hero has achieved balance between the safety and comfort of home and the new world This balances his character and mind Master of two worlds

39. With the journey complete, the hero understands him/herself The hero can live freely between home and the new world With new knowledge, the hero can be beneficial to the world Freedom to live