Joseph Campbell wrote a book called, “The Hero with a Thousand Faces,” which talks about myths and speculates that all heroes go through pretty much the same adventure. Written in the 1940’s his book was the first to break down the structure of storytelling in this way and has been used as a guide ever since. Chris Vogler wrote a book called, “The Writers Journey,” based on Campbell’s writing. Here are The 12 Stages of the Hero’s Journey and its Seven Archetypes.
The 12 Stages of the Hero’s Journey
The Journey takes the hero from his Ordinary world to a Special World and then back to the Ordinary World.
1. The Ordinary World – The hero’s world where the journey begins.
2. Call to Adventure – A problem, challenge or adventure presents itself to the hero.
3. Refusal of the Call – The hero refuses out of fear or insecurity that surfaced with the Call to Adventure. This shows the stakes the hero faces leaving the safe Ordinary World.
4. Meeting with the Mentor – A mentor appears to teach the hero and instill him with the confidence to overcome the refusal. The mentor might be something other than an actual person.
5. Crossing the First Threshold – The hero leaves his Ordinary World and enters the Special World where the adventure lies. At this stage he is committing to the journey.
6. Tests, Allies, Enemies – The hero becomes familiar with the lay of the land in the Special World. He meets allies and enemies. His abilities and commitment to the journey are tested.
7. Approach to the Inmost Cave – The second threshold. The hero encounters conflict, challenges, and setbacks as he approaches the heart of the journey and the greatest challenge. He may have to recoup morale or regroup. The stakes are heightened.
8. Ordeal – A life or death crisis. The hero’s biggest fear must now be faced. Only through facing this ordeal can the hero triumph and be reborn.
9. Reward – The hero has faced the worst and survived. He is rewarded and reborn.
10. The Road Back – An event pushes the hero to return to the Ordinary World and repeats the Central Dramatic Question. The hero must face new challenges, recommit to his goal and agree to go back. His success in the Special World might make all of this difficult.
11. Resurrection Hero – A result of the hero crossing the third threshold. He must face his most dangerous meeting. More is at stake than the hero alone. He needs to defeat his ultimate opponent in the name of the greatest good.
12. Return with Elixir – The hero has earned the right to return to the Ordinary World and share the elixir. The elixir might educate or heal. It is a lesson – or awareness – that makes us all better off if we take it to heart.
The Seven Archetypes
The Hero – This is the person with the biggest lesson to learn. His purpose is to leave the Ordinary World, answer a challenge and return with the reward. The hero acts for the Greatest Good.
The Mentor – The one who gives the hero guidance and tools for the journey ahead. The mentor inspires the hero to move past the Refusal of the Call.
Threshold Guardian – Protects the Special World – and its secrets - from the hero. The Threshold Guardian creates tests to make the hero prove himself worthy.
Herald – Proclaims challenges and calls attention to significant change. Get things going. There may be several Herald characters. They may appear throughout the journey. They often issue the Call to Adventure.
Shapeshifter – A character whose appearance changes during the course of the journey to disrupt things. The hero is often misled about this character’s loyalties and intentions.
Shadow – Represents our deepest, darkest desire. Might symbolize a resource we have yet to use or one we already rejected. The Shadow is set on destroying the hero and his cause. The Shadow may possess admirable or redeeming qualities.
Trickster – The person who helps guide the hero through the use of tricks or humorous maneuvers. They revel in the disruption of the status quo in the Ordinary World. They enjoy creating chaos through their pranks. The Trickster instigates transformation.
