STAGES OF A HERO, according to Joseph Campbell
The hero is introduced in his ordinary world.
Contrast between ordinary and extraordinary emphasizes the heroic adventure.
Examples: Dante in the woods before descending into hell; Luke Skywalker bored to death as a farm boy before he takes on the universe.
The call to adventure.
Hero is presented with a problem, challenge, or adventure.
Examples: Athena visits Telemachus and urges him to find his father; Gandolf visits Frodo and tells him about the ring.
The hero is reluctant at first.
Often, the hero feels unprepared for the adventure, but something coerces him or her into action.
Examples: Jesus asks his father to “remove this cup” of the crucifixion from him; Sebastian from The Neverending Story insists that he is only a child and the adventure is only a story.
The hero is encouraged by the wise old man or woman.
An older mentor teaches the hero, giving him or her advice and, often, weapons. The mentor, however, cannot fight the hero's battle. The hero must take the last step alone.
Examples: Athena encourages the Achaeans throughout the battle, sometimes fighting in their stead; Morpheus guides Eno through the Matrix.
The hero passes the first threshold.
Finally, the hero enters the world of the story, which is often a fantastic, otherworldly place. At this point, the hero is committed to the journey and must complete it.
Examples: Dante crosses the river Styx, thus entering Hell; Dorothy follows the Yellow Brick Road, leaving Munchkinland behind.
The hero encounters tests and helpers.
The hero is forced to make allies and enemies in the special world, and to pass certain tests and challenges that are part of his training.
Examples: For Moses to lead the Israelites to Canaan, he must first bring down the plagues and part the Red Sea; the children enter Narnia and must befriend the good animals before conquering the White Witch.
The hero reaches the innermost cave.
The hero comes at last to a dangerous place, often deep underground, where the object of his quest is hidden. Sometimes the hero confronts his or her nemesis; while other times, the hero confronts psychological enemies, like fears and guilt.
Examples: Odysseus visits his fallen comrades in Hades; SpongeBob and Patrick finally read Shell City.
The hero endures the supreme ordeal.
The hero faces the possibility of death, brought to the brink in a fight with a mystical beast. At this critical moment, the hero appears to die - an experience that we as audience members share with the hero.
Examples: In Paradise Lost, God sends Raphael to exile Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden; Chief Brody confronts Jaws as he attacks the fishing boat.
The hero seizes the sword.
After conquering the monster, the hero takes possession of the “treasure.” It can be a physical object, a bit of knowledge, a romantic partner, or an understanding of the world.
Examples: Dante reaches Paradise with Beatrice, his muse; Shrek and Donkey interrupt the wedding so that Shrek can marry Princess Fiona.
The road back.
Enemies pursue the hero, and sometimes the hero challenges an authority figure or parent. The final “chase scene.”
Examples: After Achilles decides to fight and overcomes his anger, he must fight and kill Hector; after rescuing E.T., Elliott must flee the government figures by flying on a bicycle.
Resurrection.
The hero emerges from the special world, transformed by his experience. There is often a replay here of the mock death-and-rebirth of stage 8, as the hero once again faces death and survives.
Examples: Jesus breaks the stone of his tomb, then reunites with Marys and his disciples; Dorothy, realizing “there's no place like home,” awakens in the black-and-white world of Kansas.
Return with the elixir.
The hero takes something from his adventure that benefits mankind - a treasure, a story, knowledge, etc.
Examples: Dante writes The Divine Comedy; Charlie teaches Willy Wonka the importance of family.
Adapted from the following:
“A Practical Guide to The Hero with a Thousand Faces.” http://www.skepticfiles.org/mys2/hero.htm