The Hero with a Thousand Faces - Joseph Campell

The non-fiction, comparitive mythology work written by Joseph Campell is broken down in "The Hero with a Thousand Faces". A book published in 1949 describing, through a theory, that myths with the archetypal hero usually share similair structure and have over thousands of years. writers, directors and artists have taken on board the theorey conciously and carefully in modern times.

Here is a Quote that is well known from the introduction of this book.
"A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man"

We can break down this theory into steps, which lay out and create the journey for the Hero.

1. The Hero is living a dull, basic or exciting lifestyle, though in the ordinary world. The world could always be improved, though they are usualy (not always) unaware of it ever changing, by accepting through society, family or past. "Ironman" gives us the example of an exciting lifestyle, lived by a successful buisinessman. "Avatar" gives us the example for the dull lifestyle, thinking it shall never change due to the Hero's part as a soldier who is disabled in a wheelchair.

2. The Hero is called to duty usualy because of need, help or revenge into a strange world of different activity. we make out of the "adventure call". Though the Hero may be given chance to accept, we learn things throughout about the Hero, though at this point we see whether they are "worthy". Courage, pride, hate, love and loyality is also what we may find out.

3. Trials and tasks will challenge the Hero if he chooses to enter the alternate world. The Hero may decide to, or not to, go alone. This choice may interfere with the goal. The Hero may leave his home and family behind. Also, typically telling them "I shall be fine". The tasks usualy include fighting through battles against foes.

4. The Hero will face a final challenge. This usualy comes with aid or help gained throughout the joutney of tasks. This challenge could be fighting in battle, a duel, rescuing something, destroying something, defeating the enemy or finding freedom. The challanger may come across the Hero before the "final showdown", and even defeat the Hero before hand. This appears the most anticipated or intense.

5. The Hero may gain or release the goal needed for the long journey. This will open up self-success or extreme self-knowledge. This could change the Hero into a "new-being".

6. The Hero now has the chance to return the goal or gift back to the ordinairy world. If the Hero chooses to do so it may create peace or freedom for the ordinairy world. The Hero may discover love along the journey and find it on the journey home. When back to the ordinary world there may be a problem with the love coming back with the Hero. The Hero or even the love may have to devote or give up something for the love to last. Many thanks from the ordinary world are given to the Hero. The Hero lives a better life.

Not all myths or recent movies contain these stages. Some may have one, some have all.





DW