The 12 Stages of the Hero's Journey

1. The 12 Stages of the Hero's Journey The Heroic Tradition in Narrative Fiction

2. The 12 Stages of the Hero's Journey Ordinary World: The hero's normal world before the story begins. Call to Adventure: The hero is presented with a problem, challenge or adventure. Refusal of the Call: The hero refuses the challenge or journey, usually because he's scared Meeting with the Mentor: The hero meets a mentor to gain advice or training for the adventure Crossing the First Threshold: The hero crosses leaves the ordinary world and goes into the special world Tests, Allies, Enemies: The hero faces tests, meets allies, confronts enemies, and learns the rules of the Special World. Approach: The hero has hit setbacks during tests & may need to try a new idea. Ordeal: The biggest life or death crisis. Reward: The hero has survived death, overcomes his fear and now earns the reward. The Road Back: The hero must return to the Ordinary World. Resurrection Hero: Another test where the hero faces death – he has to use everything he's learned. Return with Elixir: The hero returns from the journey with the “elixir”, and uses it to help everyone in the Ordinary World.

4. Ordinary World • The hero's normal world before the story begins. • Gives the hero a context. • The hero is often of humble origins, but can also be noble, or even of noble birth but raised in poverty.

5. Call to Adventure • The hero is presented with a problem, challenge or adventure. • Not to be confused with ordinary hardship or adversity. • Not the same as the hero’s dreams or aspirations. • Can often take the form of a prophecy or bizarre encounter with the supernatural.

6. Refusal of the Call • The hero refuses the challenge or journey, often because he's scared. • The hero can also refuse because he believes he is inadequate (poor, ignorant, weak, young). • The hero will sometimes refuse because he believes he has better things to do. • The hero occasionally disbelieves the messenger or the message is intercepted.

7. Meeting with the Mentor • The hero meets a mentor, a guide or teacher, in order to gain advice or training for the adventure. • Sometimes the mentor is a famous teacher, wizard, or warrior. • Sometimes the mentor is a revelation – not what he appeared to be. • The mentor must often convince the hero that he needs training before he can fulfill his quest.

8. Crossing the First Threshold • The hero crosses leaves the ordinary world and goes into the special world. • The hero usually makes this first step into the unknown in the company of the mentor.

9. Tests, Allies, Enemies • The hero faces tests, meets allies, confronts enemies, and learns the rules of the Special World. • The mentor, or guides assigned to teach the hero, take on the responsibility of his education and care. • The hero occasionally cannot tell friend from foe. • The hero does not always know when he is being tested.

10. Change of Approach • The hero has hit setbacks during tests and may need to try a new idea. • The hero may fail or be denied. • An ally may prove traitor. • A conflict with the original mission may arise.

11. Ordeal • The biggest life or death crisis. • Can involve several dangerous quests that lead to a final showdown.

12. Reward • The hero has survived death, overcomes his fear and now earns the reward. • The reward is often secondary to the hero’s larger goal. • Sometimes the hero no longer desires the reward originally offered and asks for another.

13. The Road Back • The hero must return to the Ordinary World. • The hero is often unrecognizable upon his return. • At other times, the hero is disbelieved upon his return.

14. Resurrection Hero • Another test where the hero faces death – he has to use everything he's learned. • There are times when the hero has to descend into the “Underworld” to accomplish his mission. • Sometimes it is an ally that “brings back” the hero.

15. Return with Elixir • The hero returns from the journey with the “elixir” and uses it to help everyone in the Ordinary World. • The “elixir” is not always a literal cure, but a force for positive change in the Ordinary World.