The hero’s journey, or monomyth, is a common narrative pattern found in many cultures. Joseph Campbell identified 17 stages in the monomyth, which can be grouped into three stages: departure, initiation, and return. The hero faces challenges, gains new understanding, and becomes selfless before returning home.
“Monomyth,” or hero’s journey, is a term used to describe a basic narrative pattern commonly found in many myths or stories told in a variety of cultures around the world. The monomyth model was first described by Joseph Campbell in his book The Hero With a Thousand Faces. Campbell noted that numerous myths from a variety of historical regions and times have some basic stages and structures in common. In all, he identified 17 different passages in a monomyth.
Only a very few myths include all 17 steps. Some myths may have many of the passages and some have only a few. The 17 passages of the monomyth can be grouped into several sections. One of the most common groupings used is to divide the 17 steps into three stages.
The first phase is called departure. It begins when the hero becomes aware of a world outside the area in which he has always lived. Usually, the hero receives a mission from a messenger who acts as a guide. While a hero may refuse the quest, eventually he will be forced to depart by events or supernaturally.
Once the hero’s journey begins, he may encounter a messenger who grants him magical powers or a weapon. Next, the hero will have to cross a threshold, possibly guarded by a guardian who must be defeated. Having crossed the threshold, the hero finds himself alone in a new world.
The second stage of the monomyth is referred to as initiation. In the new world, the hero faces a series of challenges or tests that make him more self-sufficient by honing his skills and improving his character. A male hero will likely meet a woman who will either teach him the power of unconditional love or force him to overcome his selfishness and return in search of him.
In this stage, the hero might encounter a father or mother figure that the hero needs to reconcile with in order to understand himself. As a result of these encounters, the hero gains a new understanding of the purpose of life and of himself. At this point, the hero usually becomes a selfless person who puts others before himself.
The final stage of the monomyth is the return. After the quest is completed, the hero sets out on a return journey, usually accompanied by a protector. To complete the journey home, the hero must cross the threshold again and defeat another guardian to be reborn. Upon return, the hero will have balanced his mind and character by understanding the differences between his home and the new world.
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