STAGES OF A HERO’S JOURNEY
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BIRTH
Unusual or special birth
• Demi-god: Half god, half mortal
• Typically: Father Immortal, mother
human
•
DESTINY
• Prophecy is revealed at birth
• Remember the prophecy about Narcissus?
• Prophecy is unavoidable even if life circumstances change
(i.e. raised in poverty or in foster family)
• Remarkable accomplishment at a young age indicates
and/or reinforces potential
THE QUEST
• Hero engages in an important task
• Can be chosen or assigned, but is always nonoptional
• May involve an inward or internal quest, but
usually refers to an epic external journey.
• Usually involves fantastical, magical, or
mythological intervention and help in the form
of help or meddling
THE JOURNEY
If the Quest is the destination of a
road trip, the Journey is comprised
of all of the unexpected side stops
along the way.
• Travels far from home
• Epic deeds and encounters result
(monsters, etc.)
• Comes face-to-face with death, but
doesn’t die- yet.
• Usually journeys to the Underworld
THE REWARD
• Hero is rewarded during or
after the Journey
• Reward can be tangible or
abstract (palace, position of
authority, love, etc.)
• Reward achieved from
Quest or Journey or given
from the gods
ROMANCE
• Usually a woman who betrayed her family to
help the hero.
• Eventually ends up as his wife.
DEATH
• The hero encounters deaths along the way that
shapes who he is, but his own death is unusual or
remarkable.
• Followed by immortal fame and forgiveness of
errors and flaws.