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Hero Journey Note Taking Sheet
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Characteristics of an Epic Hero Note Sheet
Teachers Guide - The Hero Cycle
Listed below are the elements of the hero cycle. The "hero cycle" is Joseph Campbell's representation of the hero's adventure, abstracted from hundreds of the world's mythologies. The cycle proceeds as the following:
- Call to adventure: The call to adventure is the point in a person’s life when they are first given notice that everything is going to change, whether they know it or not.
- The Helper: Once the hero has committed to the quest, consciously or unconsciously, his or her guide and magical helper appears, or becomes known.
- Crossing of the first threshold: This is the point where the person actually crosses into the field of adventure, leaving the known limits of his or her world and venturing into an unknown and dangerous realm where the rules and limits are not known.
- Tests: The hero must undergo a series of tests, trials, tasks, or ordeals in order to begin a transformation. Often the person fails one or more of these tests.
- Helpers: The hero is often accompanied on the journey by a helper who assists in the series of tests and generally serves as a loyal companion. Alternately, the hero may encounter a supernatural helper in the world of adventure who fulfills this function.
- The supreme ordeal: Here the fortunes of the hero hit bottom in a direct confrontation with his greatest fear. He faces the possibility of death and is brought to the brink in a battle with a hostile force. The Supreme Ordeal is a "black moment" for the audience, as we are held in suspense and tension, not knowing if he will live or die.
- Flight: After accomplishing the mission, the hero must return to the threshold of adventure and prepare for a return to the everyday world. If the hero has angered the opposing forces by stealing the elixir or killing a powerful monster, the return may take the form of a hasty flight.
- Return: The hero again crosses the threshold of adventure and returns to the everyday world of daylight. The return usually takes the form of an awakening, rebirth, resurrection, or a simple emergence from a cave or forest. Sometimes the hero is pulled out of the adventure world by a force from the daylight world.
- Boon: the benefit, favor, or blessing that is bestowed on the hero figure. There is a drive for the hero to share the boon with humankind, whether it is an elixir of immortality, a holy grail, true love, perfect knowledge, or the meaning of life.