Hero's Journey - Situational Archetypes

The Quest/Journey

A mission that the hero/protagonist must accomplish to restore peace, order, and normalcy to a troubled/decaying world

The Task

The nearly impossible/superhuman feats that a hero/protagonist must complete along his journey

The Initiation

When the protagonist/hero grows into his role as a savior by becoming aware and by becoming involved with new problems/situations

The Ritual

The ceremonies that the new initiate undergoes that will mark his/her rite of passage into his/her heroic state - helps to define the hero’s new role in society

The Fall

The hero’s descent from a high state to a low state of being, usually as a result of his supposed “rebellion” against the current state of affairs as he is trying to change it

Death and Rebirth

A cycle of symbolic death and rebirth associated with an important character, setting, or theme of the novel. Takes place when an old self/way of life “ends” and a new one is able to begin”

The Threshold

A physical or psychological barrier that the heromust cross to attain enlightenment or to be victorious in his/her quest. Crossing this threshold symbolizes the next phase or the ultimate end to the hero’s task.

The Threshold Guardian

Someone or something (a creature or beast) responsible for guarding the threshold in an attempt to thwart the hero’s passing

Battle between Good and Evil

One of the most common situational archetypes to appear in movies, literature, and real life. The “battle” usually takes place between a hero figure and an evil figure. Good usually triumphs over evil in the end.