Stages of the Hero's Journey

The Hero’s Journey:

1. Heroes are introduced in the ORDINARY WORLD, where

2. they receive the CALL TO ADVENTURE.

3. They are RELUCTANT at first or REFUSE THE CALL, but

4. are encouraged by a MENTOR to

5. CROSS THE FIRST THRESHOLD and enter the Special World, where

6. they encounter TESTS, ALLIES, AND ENEMIES.

7. They APPROACH THE INMOST CAVE, crossing a second threshold

8. where they endure the ORDEAL.

9. They take possession of their REWARD and

10. are pursued on THE ROAD BACK to the Ordinary World.

11. They cross the third threshold, experience a RESURRECTION, and are transformed

by the experience.

12. They RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR, a boon or treasure to benefit the Ordinary

World.

The Seven Archetypes:

1. Hero: “The Hero is the protagonist or central character, whose primary purpose is to

separate from the ordinary world and sacrifice himself for the service of the Journey at

hand - to answer the challenge, complete the quest and restore the Ordinary World’s

balance. We experience the Journey through the eyes of the Hero.”

2. Mentor: “The Mentor provides motivation, insights and training to help the Hero.”

3. Threshold Guardian: “Threshold Guardians protect the Special World and its secrets

from the Hero, and provide essential tests to prove a Hero’s commitment and worth.”

4. Herald: “Herald characters issue challenges and announce the coming of significant

change. They can make their appearance anytime during a Journey, but often appear

at the beginning of the Journey to announce a Call to Adventure. A character may

wear the Herald’s mask to make an announcement or judgment, report a news flash,

or simply deliver a message.”

5. Shapeshifter: “The Shapeshifter’s mask misleads the Hero by hiding a character’s

intentions and loyalties.”

6. Shadow: “The Shadow can represent our darkest desires, our untapped resources, or

even rejected qualities. It can also symbolize our greatest fears and phobias. Shadows

may not be all bad, and may reveal admirable, even redeeming qualities. The Hero’s

enemies and villains often wear the Shadow mask. This physical force is determined to

destroy the Hero and his cause.”

7. Trickster: “Tricksters relish the disruption of the status quo, turning the Ordinary World

into chaos with their quick turns of phrase and physical antics. Although they may not

change during the course of their Journeys, their world and its inhabitants are

transformed by their antics. The Trickster uses laughter [and ridicule] to make

characters see the absurdity of the situation, and perhaps force a change.”

The Twelve Stages of the Journey

1. Ordinary World: “The Hero’s home, the safe haven upon which the Special World

and the Journey’s outcome must be compared.” The Journey begins in the Ordinary

World, travels to the Special World, and returns to the Ordinary World.

2. Call to Adventure: The Call to Adventure sets the story rolling by disrupting the

comfort of the Hero’s Ordinary World, presenting a challenge or quest that must be

undertaken.

3. Refusal of the Call: “A Hero often refuses [or is reluctant] to take on the Journey

because of fears and insecurities that have surfaced from the Call to Adventure. The

Hero may not be willing to make changes, preferring the safe haven of the Ordinary

World. This becomes an essential stage that communicates the risks involved in the

Journey that lies ahead. Without risks and danger or the likelihood of failure, the

audience will not be compelled to be a part of the Hero’s Journey.”

4. Meeting with the Mentor: “The Hero meets a Mentor to gain confidence, insight,

advice, training, or magical gifts to overcome the initial fears and face the Threshold of

the adventure. The Mentor may be a physical person, or an object such as a map, a

logbook, or other writing.”

5. Crossing the Threshold: “Crossing the threshold signifies that the Hero has finally

committed to the Journey. He is prepared to cross the gateway that separates the

Ordinary World from the Special World.”

6. Tests, Allies, Enemies: “Having crossed the threshold, the Hero faces Tests, encounters

Allies, confronts Enemies, and learns the rules of this Special World. The Hero needs

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