Character Archetypes
Departure
Initiation
Return
It's a ROCK FACT!
100
This character often is raised by foster parents and must go on a difficult journey of danger and self-discovery.
What is the hero?
100
Sometimes, this step occurs when the hero crosses over a bridge or river or through a door, gate, or portal.
What is Crossing the First Threshold?
100
This character often provides guidance, training, or advice to help the unprepared and untested hero succeed in the quest.
What is the Mentor?
100
Percy emerges from the underworld, Wirt and Greg regain consciousness under the water, the children stumble back through the wardrobe...
What is Crossing the Return Threshold?
100
Archetypes can most easily be understood as this.
What are patterns?
200
This character announces the Call to Adventure by informing the hero of his task.
What is the Herald?
200
This is one of two possible "unofficial" steps in the departure stage.
What is the Ordinary World or the Acceptance of the Call?
200
The super-fun Lotus Casino, the promise that Adelaide can help Wirt and Greg get home, the delicious Turkish Delight that the White Witch feeds Edmund...
What is Temptation?
200
By surviving the hero's quest and eliminating the danger, the hero has become Master of Two Worlds and now has this.
What is Freedom to Live?
200
These are the three main types of literary archetypes.
What are Character, Situational, and Symbolic archetypes?
300
This character may offer to make some kind of deal or trade with the hero as a way to steal the hero's soul.
What is the Devil Figure?
300
Magical weapons or shields, secret knowledge, special abilities, elixirs or potions...
What is Supernatural Aid?
300
The lightning bolt, the way home, the hand of the princess...
What is the Ultimate Boon?
300
The Magic Flight doesn't always involve flying. Instead, the word "flight" indicates that the hero is trying to do this.
What is escape?
300
The 17 stages of the hero's journey are also known as this. There's really only ONE answer...
What is the Monomyth.
400
Traditionally female, this character possesses wisdom and insight that can aid the hero along the journey.
What is the Goddess?
400
"I think you have the wrong guy. I'm not a hero. I'm a loser". "This is your problem all right, not mine. This is about your world, not mine".
What is the Refusal of the Call?
400
This is the true purpose of the Road of Trials.
What is to make the hero stronger, smarter, better, etc.?
400
The hero receives unexpected help from a former enemy or from someone he has helped previously on his quest.
What is Rescue from Without?
400
This man is responsible for identifying the 17 stages of the hero's journey.
Who is Joseph Campbell?
500
Also known as a "sidekick," this is the official name of the character archetype who stands by the hero's side through thick and thin and often possesses nobel characteristics that the hero lacks.
What is the Loyal Retainer?
500
This stage of the hero's journey is the hero's lowest point, when things are looking really, really bad. If the hero survives this stage, he is usually "reborn" ready to take the quest seriously, because there's no going back!
What is the Belly of the Whale?
500
Percy finally realizes that he is the son of Poseidon and confidently blasts Luke with his fantastic water powers. Wirt realizes the nature of the Beast and confidently threatens to blow out the lantern.
What is Apotheosis?
500
This is one of several reasons the hero might Refuse to Return to the ordinary world at the end of the quest.
What is the hero has changed? What is the hero is afraid he/she won't be accepted in the ordinary world? What is the hero is master of the unknown and feels at home there?
500
The hero's journey is really a metaphor for this.
What is life?
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