The Monomyth

1. The Monomyth By Joseph Campbell

2. Monomyths • Joseph Campbell’s theory that all myths are centered around one archetype • “arch” meaning Rule or Govern • Literally meaning the “rules over types” • Characteristics of the Monomyth • Every stage may not fit perfectly with what happens. • Some stages may be skipped, combined or repeated. • Other characters may have their own journeys during the central monomyth of the hero.

3. The Departure • Call to Adventure • The hero receives a call to leave their normal life and face adventure. • Everything in their life is about to change (like it or not). • Refusal of the Call • Hero initially rejects the call to adventure do to the changes that it would bring in their life.

4. The Departure • Supernatural Aid • A mentor will present the hero with one or more talismans or artifacts that will aid them later in their quest • Cross of the First Threshold • Hero leaves the familiar behind and enters the unknown. • Belly of the Whale • Hero willingly crosses the point of no return. • Hero separates from his known world and known self. • Hero is transitioning between two worlds. • Because of this, the experiences that the hero has are dark unknown and frightening.

5. The Adventure • The Road of Trials • A series of tests, tasks, or ordeals that the hero must undergo to begin transformation. • Hero often fails one or more of the tests. • Tests often come in threes. • The Meeting with the Goddess • The hero finds their true love or companion.

6. The Adventure • Woman as Temptress • The hero is tempted to stray from their quest by some offer of personal gain. • Doesn’t have to be a woman that • Atonement with the Father • The hero succeeds his or her master/father figure. • The hero must confront and be initiated by the ultimate power in their life. • The hero’s old “self” must die so that the new “self” can come into being.

7. The Adventure • Apotheosis • Hero has been challenged and comes through the challenges. • Hero gains a new perspective on life. • Hero becomes “god-like”. • Can be marked by the death or transition of a major character out of the hero’s journey. • Hero emerges with divine knowledge, love, compassion, and bliss. • The Ultimate Boon • Hero reaches the final goal, gaining the final reward. • Hero achieves what they set out to get in the beginning of their adventure.

8. The Return • Refusal of the Return • The hero does not want to return to their old life and holds onto the reward they achieved. • The Magic Flight • The hero finds the reward hard to return home with and the reward can hinder the return process. • Rescue from Without • The hero may find that they need to be rescued because of the quest or the refusal of the return.

9. The Return • The Crossing of the Return Threshold • The hero finds that they have changed and they must learn to integrate their new knowledge into their old life. • Master of Two Worlds • The hero accepts their new place in the worlds they live in. • The hero also accepts the responsibility that comes with it. • The responsibility is what the hero initially feared. • Freedom to Live • The hero integrates back into the world and chooses live as they see fit.

10. Example of Monomyths in Movies • Movies • Lion King • LOTR • Harry Potter • Star Wars • Matrix • Tron • Others?