Have you ever noticed how many stories, whether they’re myths from different cultures or stories from films, seem to follow a similar pattern? Well, that pattern has a fancy name: “the Monomyth”, also known as the hero’s journey. But don’t let the fancy words put you off, because understanding the hero’s journey can make stories even more exciting.
The concept of the hero’s journey, or monomyth, was first described by Joseph Campbell in his book “The Hero with a Thousand Faces”. He noticed that these stages appeared in myths and stories from all over the world, connecting cultures and time periods with a common thread. So the next time you’re captivated by the epic journey of a hero, know that you’re not just witnessing a story — you’re experiencing a timeless narrative pattern that has fascinated and inspired people for generations. Now let us see what it is all about.
Imagine reading a story where the main character suddenly begins on a quest. Like Harry Potter when he accepted the invitation to Hogwarts, they leave their familiar world and start a new adventure. This is the departure phase of the protagonist’s journey. This is the signal to pack your bags and set off to explore a magical land.
But our heroes can’t go on this adventure alone, can they? That’s where the Messenger comes in — someone to guide them and give them a special gift or power, much like Frodo receiving the One Ring from Gandalf in “The Lord of the Rings”. Think of it as receiving a magical sword or superpowers to face challenges. Speaking of challenges, the hero must overcome obstacles, maybe even defeat an enemy, like when Simba faces Scar in “The Lion King”, to enter the new world.
Photo by Ergo Zakki on Unsplash
The next part is called initiation. This is where our hero faces various tests and challenges, becoming stronger and more confident, much like Katniss Everdeen learning survival skills in “The Hunger Games”. They may meet important people, like a wise mentor or a teacher, who will help shape their character. And guess what? There’s often a part where they meet someone who teaches them about love or selflessness, just as Belle’s kindness transforms the Beast in “Beauty and the Beast”.
During this journey, the hero may also reconnect with their family or better understand their past. This helps them to grow as a person and realise their purpose in life, just as Neo discovers his true role in “The Matrix”. They become less selfish and more caring, putting others before themselves. It’s as if they evolve into a better version of themselves.
Now comes the return part. After completing the quest, the hero returns home, often with a protector at his side, similar to Sam’s support of Frodo in “The Lord of the Rings”. But it’s not as simple as it sounds. They have to cross the threshold again, face challenges and defeat another gatekeeper, like when Dorothy defeats the Wicked Witch in “The Wizard of Oz”. This symbolises their rebirth — they’re not the same person who went on the journey.
Photo by Joey Nicotra on Unsplash
Finally, the hero returns home with newfound wisdom, just as Peter Parker returns to New York in “Spider-Man: Homecoming”. He embraces his responsibilities as Spider-Man and understands the importance of using his powers responsibly. They’ve learned to balance their old world with the new one they’ve explored. It’s like they’ve solved a puzzle and now see the bigger picture of their lives. And so the hero’s journey comes full circle.
As “Monomyth” is a “plot” method of narrative techniques (or literary devices), other methods in these articles may be of interest to you:
Chekhov’s Gun and Foreshadowing, as “plot” method of the literary techniques:
Verisimilitude, as “setting” method of the literary techniques:
The Fourth Wall, as “perspective” method of the literary techniques:
Rhetorics, as “style” method of the literary techniques:
Red Herring, as “plot” method of the literary techniques:
Comments