The Heros Journey, Stages Explained

By Kevin Edwards


Joseph Campbell adapted his monomyth on the 12 stages of a hero from the work of Christopher Vogler. The movie is ranked among the most successful stories of its generation. The Heros Journey highlights stages that everyone must pass through in order to overcome the adversities of life. These stages are worth following to understand the deep structure of characters in movies.

All heroes begin the journey as ordinary folks. At the start, nothing is special about these heroes. This makes it easier for people to identify with their daily struggles and pleasures. This is a trick that shows that the hero comes from an ordinary beginning. It will therefore be easier to relate to his triumphs.

Call to Adventure is the point at which the ordinary person is summoned to take a particular action. This call to action is triggered by something that happens to people around him. There could be a threat to life, family or a situation that requires intervention. While the situation might not involve guns, but it is a scenario that requires the hero to come out of his comfort zone. There is usually resistance to this call at the beginning.

The hero meets a mentor who will eliminate the doubts that are larking in his life. The hero also reinforces skills that will be required to tackle the challenge that lies ahead. From the mentor, he will receive training or an object that will define the fat of his journey. All the doubts that made him to slow down will be eliminated. The mentor gives him the courage and confidence to face life.

Crossing the Threshold. This is a stage where there is enough pressure for the hero to answer to the call. The crossing happens voluntarily or he is forced. This is the point he will take on risks and engage in tasks that were previously difficult. He also shows the commitment to undertake the tasks that previously seemed impossible.

Tests, Enemies and Allies. The conqueror is now going into confrontation with the issues that lay ahead. These challenges could be emotional, physical, spiritual or of any other nature. They usually prevent him from moving forward. He has to find allies and deal with the enemies. It is this confrontation that will test his strength and resolve. It will reveal his character.

Approaching the Innermost Cave. This refers to the situation where the ultimate obstacle has to be dealt with. There is an actual location and the specific battle to be fought. Special preparations are required. The doubts that confronted him at the beginning resurrect. There are people whose fate depends on him overcoming the situation. This becomes an incredible source of tension in a plot.

Time for war has come and your hero must show his mettle. All the courage and concentration are required. Victory will keep him alive while defeat marks his death. The hero must cease the sword to declare victory. He then makes the brief return journey that marks his resurrection. The script ends with a hero returning to normal life and fading into ordinary humanity.




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