Course outline
Module 1
Module 1: The Origins of the Hero's Journey
The Origins of the Hero's Journey
Knowledge check
Q1. Who is the author of the book 'The Hero with a Thousand Faces' which introduced the concept of the Hero's Journey?
- A. Joseph Campbell ✓
- B. Carl Jung
- C. J.R.R. Tolkien
- D. Hermann Hesse
Why: Joseph Campbell is the author of 'The Hero with a Thousand Faces,' which is the foundational text for the Hero's Journey theory.
Q2. What is the term used to describe the ordinary world of the hero before the journey begins?
- A. The Call to Adventure
- B. The Ordinary World ✓
- C. The Refusal of the Call
- D. The Crossing of the Threshold
Why: The Ordinary World refers to the hero's initial environment before the journey starts.
Q3. Which of the following is considered the first step in the Hero's Journey according to Campbell?
- A. The Return
- B. The Refusal of the Call
- C. The Call to Adventure
- D. The Ordinary World ✓
Why: The Ordinary World is the first step in the Hero's Journey, setting the stage for the hero's initial life before the adventure begins.
Q4. What is the purpose of the 'Threshold Guardian' in the Hero's Journey?
- A. To provide the hero with a map to the unknown world
- B. To test the hero's resolve and readiness for the journey ✓
- C. To guide the hero back to the ordinary world
- D. To help the hero find the mentor
Why: The Threshold Guardian serves as a test or challenge that the hero must overcome to prove their readiness for the journey ahead.
Q5. Which of the following is NOT a stage in the Hero's Journey as outlined by Campbell?
- A. The Road of Trials
- B. The Meeting with the Mentor
- C. The Final Test ✓
- D. The Departure
Why: While the 'Final Test' is a common narrative element, it is not explicitly listed as a stage in Campbell's original Hero's Journey framework.
Module 2
Module 2: Archetypes and Their Roles
Archetypes and Their Roles
Knowledge check
Q1. What is the role of the Mentor archetype in the Hero's Journey?
- A. To provide obstacles for the hero
- B. To guide and prepare the hero for the journey ✓
- C. To represent the hero's inner fears
- D. To serve as the antagonist
Why: The Mentor archetype typically provides guidance, wisdom, and support to the hero as they prepare for their journey.
Q2. Which archetype is often encountered by the hero at the beginning of the journey and represents the ordinary world?
- A. The Herald
- B. The Shadow
- C. The Ordinary Person ✓
- D. The Hero
Why: The Ordinary Person represents the hero's initial life before the call to adventure and is often encountered in the ordinary world.
Q3. What is the primary function of the Threshold Guardian archetype?
- A. To assist the hero in crossing into the unknown
- B. To challenge the hero at the threshold of the adventure ✓
- C. To provide the hero with a map to the unknown
- D. To represent the hero's fears
Why: The Threshold Guardian typically challenges the hero at the threshold of the adventure, testing their resolve and readiness.
Q4. Which archetype is responsible for initiating the hero's journey by presenting the call to adventure?
- A. The Mentor
- B. The Herald ✓
- C. The Shadow
- D. The Trickster
Why: The Herald is responsible for presenting the call to adventure, which initiates the hero's journey.
Q5. What is the role of the Shadow archetype in the Hero's Journey?
- A. To provide guidance to the hero
- B. To represent the hero's inner fears and flaws ✓
- C. To serve as a companion on the journey
- D. To offer the hero a reward
Why: The Shadow archetype represents the hero's inner fears, flaws, and the external antagonists that challenge the hero on their journey.
Module 3
Module 3: The Call to Adventure
The Call to Adventure
Knowledge check
Q1. What is the first step in the Hero's Journey according to Joseph Campbell?
- A. The Return
- B. The Ordinary World ✓
- C. The Reward
- D. The Final Trial
Why: The Ordinary World is the starting point of the Hero's Journey, where the hero's normal life is established before the adventure begins.
Q2. What event marks the beginning of the hero's adventure?
- A. The Return
- B. The Call to Adventure ✓
- C. The Crossing of the Threshold
- D. The Meeting with the Mentor
Why: The Call to Adventure is the event that prompts the hero to leave their ordinary world and embark on their journey.
Q3. Which of the following is a common reason a hero might refuse the call to adventure?
- A. They are excited about the journey
- B. They feel unprepared or fearful ✓
- C. They have a mentor to guide them
- D. They are confident in their abilities
Why: Fear, doubt, or a sense of unpreparedness are common reasons a hero might initially refuse the call to adventure.
Q4. What is the purpose of the 'Call to Adventure' in the Hero's Journey?
- A. To provide a reward to the hero
- B. To challenge the hero's abilities
- C. To present an opportunity for transformation ✓
- D. To introduce the hero's mentor
Why: The Call to Adventure presents the hero with an opportunity that will lead to personal growth and transformation.
Q5. Which of the following is NOT a typical consequence of refusing the call to adventure?
- A. The hero remains in their ordinary world
- B. The hero becomes more confident ✓
- C. The hero faces increasing pressure to act
- D. The hero's world becomes unstable
Why: Refusing the call to adventure typically leads to stagnation or increased pressure, not increased confidence.
Module 4
Module 4: Trials and Transformations
Trials and Transformations
Knowledge check
Q1. What is the primary purpose of the trials in the Hero's Journey according to Campbell?
- A. To provide entertainment
- B. To test and transform the hero ✓
- C. To introduce new characters
- D. To create conflict
Why: The trials are designed to challenge the hero and facilitate personal growth and transformation.
Q2. Which stage of the Hero's Journey involves the hero facing their greatest fear or challenge?
- A. The Ordinary World
- B. The Road of Trials
- C. The Ordeal ✓
- D. The Return
Why: The Ordeal is the point where the hero confronts their greatest fear or challenge, often leading to a transformation.
Q3. What does the hero typically gain after overcoming the trials?
- A. A new enemy
- B. A treasure map
- C. Insight and wisdom ✓
- D. A new weapon
Why: The trials are meant to provide the hero with insight, wisdom, and a deeper understanding of themselves and the world.
Q4. Which of the following is NOT a common type of trial in the Hero's Journey?
- A. Physical challenge
- B. Moral dilemma
- C. Social gathering ✓
- D. Psychological challenge
Why: Trials in the Hero's Journey are typically physical, moral, or psychological, not social gatherings.
Q5. What is the role of the mentor in the trials stage of the Hero's Journey?
- A. To provide the hero with a weapon
- B. To guide and support the hero ✓
- C. To create obstacles for the hero
- D. To replace the hero
Why: The mentor's role is to guide and support the hero during the trials, offering wisdom and assistance.
Module 5
Module 5: The Return Home
The Return Home
Knowledge check
Q1. What is the final stage of the Hero's Journey according to Campbell?
- A. The Refusal of the Call
- B. The Return Home ✓
- C. The Ordeal
- D. The Road of Trials
Why: The Return Home is the final stage where the hero brings back the boon or lesson learned from the journey.
Q2. What does the hero often face upon returning home?
- A. A new adventure
- B. Resistance or misunderstanding ✓
- C. A greater enemy
- D. A mentor
Why: Upon returning home, the hero may face resistance or misunderstanding from those who did not go on the journey.
Q3. What is the purpose of the 'Boon' in the Hero's Journey?
- A. To give the hero a new weapon
- B. To provide the hero with a reward for their journey
- C. To be the lesson or gift the hero brings back ✓
- D. To introduce a new challenge
Why: The 'Boon' is the lesson, gift, or knowledge the hero brings back to their world after completing the journey.
Q4. What is the significance of the 'Return Home' stage?
- A. It marks the beginning of the hero's journey
- B. It is the stage where the hero is transformed and applies their newfound knowledge ✓
- C. It is where the hero faces their greatest fear
- D. It is where the hero meets their mentor
Why: The Return Home stage is where the hero is transformed and applies the lessons learned from their journey to their own world.
Q5. What might happen if the hero fails to return home?
- A. They become a mentor
- B. They lose their powers
- C. Their world remains unchanged ✓
- D. They become a villain
Why: If the hero fails to return home, their world may remain unchanged, and the lessons or boon from the journey may not be realized.
Module 6
Module 6: Modern Interpretations
Modern Interpretations
Knowledge check
Q1. Which modern film is often cited as a contemporary example of the Hero's Journey structure?
- A. Inception
- B. The Matrix ✓
- C. Pulp Fiction
- D. Fight Club
Why: The Matrix follows the classic stages of the Hero's Journey, including the call to adventure, the mentor (Morpheus), the trials, and the return with a new understanding.
Q2. In modern interpretations of the Hero's Journey, what role does the 'threshold guardian' often represent?
- A. A mentor
- B. A challenge or obstacle ✓
- C. The hero's shadow self
- D. The hero's family
Why: The threshold guardian in modern stories often represents the first challenge or obstacle that the hero must overcome to enter the new world or journey.
Q3. Which of the following is NOT a common modern twist on the 'return' stage of the Hero's Journey?
- A. The hero returns changed but not necessarily with a physical treasure
- B. The hero returns to a world that has changed
- C. The hero returns with a physical treasure ✓
- D. The hero returns to the ordinary world but chooses to stay in the new world
Why: Modern interpretations often focus more on internal transformation rather than physical treasure, making the return of physical treasure less common as a twist.
Q4. In modern storytelling, what is a common way to represent the 'hero's shadow' in the 'descent' stage?
- A. A wise mentor
- B. A mirror of the hero's fears and flaws ✓
- C. A powerful enemy
- D. A magical guide
Why: The hero's shadow is often depicted as a reflection of the hero's inner fears, flaws, or unresolved conflicts, representing the challenges they must face internally.
Q5. Which modern literary work is known for subverting the traditional 'hero' in the Hero's Journey framework?
- A. The Hunger Games
- B. Harry Potter
- C. The Road ✓
- D. The Hobbit
Why: The Road presents a more bleak and morally ambiguous journey, subverting traditional hero tropes by focusing on survival rather than a clear victory or transformation.
Module 7
Module 7: Applying the Journey in Life
Applying the Journey in Life
Knowledge check
Q1. What is the final stage of the Hero's Journey according to Campbell?
- A. The Ordinary World
- B. The Return with the Elixir ✓
- C. The Ordeal
- D. The Refusal of the Call
Why: The Return with the Elixir is the final stage where the hero returns to their ordinary world with new knowledge or a gift that benefits others.
Q2. Which stage involves the hero facing their greatest challenge?
- A. The Road of Trials
- B. The Supreme Ordeal ✓
- C. The Meeting with the Mentor
- D. The Crossing of the Threshold
Why: The Supreme Ordeal is the stage where the hero confronts their greatest fear or challenge, often leading to a transformation.
Q3. What does the hero typically gain after completing their journey?
- A. A weapon
- B. An elixir or wisdom ✓
- C. A new enemy
- D. A map
Why: The hero typically returns with an elixir or wisdom that can help others in their own journeys.
Q4. What is the purpose of the 'Refusal of the Call' stage?
- A. To make the journey more difficult
- B. To show the hero's fear or reluctance ✓
- C. To introduce the mentor
- D. To create a new challenge
Why: The Refusal of the Call shows the hero's fear or reluctance to leave their comfort zone and embark on the journey.
Q5. Which stage marks the beginning of the hero's journey?
- A. The Return with the Elixir
- B. The Ordinary World ✓
- C. The Crossing of the Threshold
- D. The Meeting with the Mentor
Why: The Ordinary World is the starting point of the hero's journey, representing their normal life before the adventure begins.