by Anna Yaguexta

Created on: March 12, 2009

Rather than discuss the role of the journey in general, I would like to take a moment to discuss the role of the hero's journey as stated by Joseph Campbell. As he describes it, the hero's journey is both an actual event and a metaphor for the emotional or psychological development of the hero character. Thus, the journey is what causes the hero to change.

As described by Campbell, the hero's journey is the cyclical journey undertaken by the standard mythological hero. A hero ventures forth from his or her common world on to a world of the unknown and supernatural. For example, in the Odyssey, Odysseus encounters Sirens, the cyclops Polyphemus, and is even captured by the nymph Calypso. These beings were only heard on in tales back in Ithaca. In this unknown world the hero then encounters challenges and then wins a decisive victory. The hero then returns from his adventure with power and knowledge to share with his or her people. Thus, the hero's journey consists of a departure, initiation (fulfillment), and return. Frequently, this is a journey of enlightenment, in which the individual breaks through the boundaries of self to discover his unique contribution to the world. The journey is almost like a rite of passage.

Within the Departure stage there is the "Call", in which the quest is announced to the hero by another character. The hero can then either refuse and suffer ("Refusal to Call") or take the quest. Along the way, the hero receives help from supernatural sources. in the case of the Odyssey, Athena serves as Odysseus;s patron and protector. The hero then crosses the first "threshold". For example, Odysseus must pass the Island of the Sirens. Having defeated the threshold, the hero finds himself in a place of darkness, where the true adventure beings ("the belly of the whale").

After "Departure" comes "Initiation." The hero is repeatedly challenged with mental and psychical obstacles. These tasks often improve the skills of the hero and prove his or her worth. On the journey, the hero often meets a goddess or god whom he or she must face. The hero may also suffer a blow to his or her ego so that he or she can learn and grow beyond who he or she was before.

The hero then "Returns" from his journey. In the Odyssey, Odysseus returns to his wife in Ithaca, where she has been hounded by potential suitors while he was lost at sea. In some cases the hero does not want to return. That is not the case with Odysseus because throughout his journey we are reminded about the struggles of his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus. In his case, he had to return quickly with his newfound prize. After the journey is complete the hero is free and can turn his efforts to teaching humanity.

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