Twelve Stages of the Hero’s Journey “The Hero Quest” The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe
Twelve Stages of the Hero’s Journey
“The Hero Quest”
The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe
Stage 1: Status Quo (Life in the ordinary world)
• Normal everyday existence.
• No conflict.• Life as usual.• Peaceful, calm, quiet,
ordered.
Stage 2: A “call” to adventure
• A serious situation emerges that threatens life in the ordinary world.
• The hero is “summoned” or “called upon” to undertake a very important task or mission.
Stage 3: Assistance and Refusal of the call
• The hero sees the task as overwhelming and feels inadequate or unable to fulfill the quest.
• Or the hero doesn’t want to undertake the task or quest.
• Or the hero doesn’t believe the quest is essential.
• Or someone refuses the call for him/her.• The Herald / Mentor encourages, compels, or forces
them to continue.
Stage 4: Departure / Discovering a Mentor
• The hero leaves their old life and meets a mentor = Guide
• The hero finds a mentor / “friend” who will guide, instruct, or lead him.
• The mentor typically convinces the hero that the task or mission is necessary.
Stage 5: Trials / Passing the “threshold”
• The hero leaves his world, his “home,” behind and embarks on a journey.
• This marks the beginning of the quest.• Small challenges and trials are met.
Stage 6: Approach / Finding Allies and encountering enemies
• Along the way, the hero discovers a band of allies who will help him along his quest.
• The hero also learns who his enemies are.
• The hero approaches the challenging place with his allies.
Stage 7: Crisis / Tests and challenges
• The hero, alone or with allies, faces small challenges in the form of henchmen / threshold guardians
• Hero undergoes many tests and challenges.• Each challenge brings them closer to his goal• Each challenge makes them stronger, bolder,
wiser, etc…
Stage 8: Enters the innermost cave and collects / learns “the treasure”.
• The hero must enter a place of darkness.
• Literally: a deep cave, underground, a very dark and scary place.
• Figuratively: emotional depression, sadness, melancholy.
• Hero learns something of extreme value during this stage, claims the “treasure” (which will be key in the final battle).
Stage 9: Showdown / Result
• The Hero undergoes the most challenging test.• Usually face-to-face with their mortal enemy.• The fight / battle is resolved.
Stage 10: Return / Resurrection
• Literal or figurative• The hero dies and is miraculously brought back to life. • The hero is thought to be dead, only to return again,
surprising everyone.• The hero is reborn into a higher state of being or
consciousness.
Stage 11: New Life / Returning with the elixir
• An “elixir” is a potent potion that restores one to health.• The hero brings back an “elixir” that restores their
ordinary world.• The “elixir” can be peace, calm, hope, order, a cure, an
actual healing potion, etc…• The hero has gained or learnt or fought for some new
part of themselves.
Stage 12: Resolution
•The hero/es have improved / changed, now they receive their reward, or claim their new place in the world. Awards or fame or riches or importance are earnt.