The hero of the two worlds series#

The hero achieves what they set out to do, or acquires what they set out to obtain. The hero reaches some sort of higher understanding that equips them for the final, most difficult stages of their journey/transformation. The hero may have to rely on this imperfect being for help. The hero comes to terms with the realization that their parental/mentor figure is mortal and flawed. The hero is tempted away from their journey and ultimate reward. The hero must earn a connection with the “goddess.” The hero encounters some sort of powerful love or embodiment of good.

The hero of the two worlds series#

The hero goes through a series of struggles-trials that test the hero’s character and ability. In this stage, the hero makes the commitment to fully engage with the journey and transformation of self. THE BELLY OF THE WHALE. The hero completely severs their connection to the “safe” world they left behind.THE CROSSING OF THE FIRST THRESHOLD. The hero leaves their ordinary, known world and enter the unknown world where their journey will take place.SUPERNATURAL AID. When they agree to heed the call to adventure, the hero’s guide or mentor (often magical, wise, or superhuman in some way) appears or becomes known.REFUSAL OF THE CALL. The hero turns away from their calling because they feel some sort of obligation to stay where they are, or fear they are not brave/smart/strong/etc.THE CALL TO ADVENTURE. The hero is living within their ordinary world but receives some sort of calling to change their life and enter the unknown.Although Campbell may have at one point viewed the archetypal hero as male, the journey has also been used to describe many journeys undertaken by females.Ĭampbell’s model is divided into seventeen stages, which are further divided into three sections: Departure (stages 1-5), Initiation (stages 6-11), and Return (stages 12-17). He used psychological understandings that were modern at the time in addition to a comparative study of literature across time and culture to create what he and many others have described as the “monomyth” for all heroic narratives. Joseph Campbell first identified and outlined the stages of the hero’s journey in 1949 his book The Hero With a Thousand Faces.