The Hero Cycle

What is the Hero Cycle?

• Sometimes it is called the monomyth –

“mono” = “one”.
• Joseph Campbell, a mythology and
folklore scholar concluded that one
archetype is repeated in most hero stories.
Arche/type

• “Arche” = “old” – archeology

• “type” = “form”
• Archetype = “Old form”
The Cycle

• What follows are the steps Campbell

identified in the hero cycle.
• Not every hero story includes every step,
but you will notice that most are familiar.
The Hero at Home

• In the beginning of the story, the hero is

often the “lowest of the low”,
unrecognized but perhaps having a
questioning nature or a quiet ambition to
find out who they truly are.
• Can you think of examples?
Call to Adventure
• Soon some problem arises
that causes heroes to go on
quests. In traditional
literature, heroes often
have to compete for the
chance to go, as they are
naturally overlooked in
favor of their older or more
glamorous siblings.
The Tests

• Before they proceed very far on their

adventure, heroes are faced with
challenges or tests. If they meet them
with cleverness, courage, or kindness,
they often receive some magical help that
enables them to proceed on their quest.
The Helper
• The helper is a person or
peculiar creature who provides
magical aid heroes need to
cross the threshold into the
place where the object of their
quest is usually found.
Sometimes the helper provides
other miraculous equipment
that allows heroes to succeed.
The Land of Adventure

• Quests lead heroes into the “Land of

Adventure”, “Never-Never Land” or
“Narnia”, for example.
• Once there the heroes’ adventures truly
begin.
• This is usually where they realize they do
have special powers.
The “Belly of the Whale”

• Once a hero arrives in the land of

adventure, they usually have a death and
rebirth experience.
• Their childish nature must die off, and
their more mature and heroic nature must
be born.
• Authors usually use tomb or grave
imagery in this stage of the hero cycle.
The Goddess

• If heroes are male, they usually encounter

a beautiful female figure who may
challenge or love them, but in any case
confirm that they are worthy heroes.
Father Atonement

• Heroes often come up against stern father

figures who challenge them severely.
• Sometimes heroes overthrow these father
figures.
• At the very least, they force the father
figures to recognize their status as a hero.
• The Lion King and Star Wars have good
examples of this step.
Elixir Theft

• The object of the quest is often some

magical gift, potion, that is needed back
home.
• Heroes win this object or steal it.
The Flight

• After the hero wins or steals the elixir, he

often has to run for his life.
The Return

• When the hero returns home, they bring

what is needed to keep life going on
comfortably.
• Sometimes there is a royal marriage.
• Sometimes they slip into quiet reflection.
• This steps completes the cycle since they
are back home.
Other Common Elements

• Heroes often have uncommon births, or

they are orphans.
• Examples – Moses floating down the river
in a basket. Simba’s father dies when he
is young.
Other Common Elements

• Heroes often have a weapon only they can

use.
• Examples – Luke Skywalker / Darth Vader
– light saber; Pootietang – belt; Moses –
staff.
Reviewing and Thinking

• View this slideshow once more while

providing examples from hero stories that
are familiar to you.
• You should be able to provide examples
for at least seven of the steps.
• Your examples will help you with your
writing assignment.
References

• Children’s Books in Children’s Hands

(1998). C. Temple, M. Martinez, J. Yokota,
A. Naylor (eds.). Allyn and Bacon, Boston.