BA1b: Research | The Hero's Journey | Stages

ACT 1

1.The Ordinary World
The hero is presented in his everyday life and he is introduced sympathetically to the audience. That not only shows the social, historic and personal background but also helps creating a vivid contrast with the strange new world that the hero is about to enter.

2. The Call to Adventure
Something shakes up the situation, either from external pressures or from something rising up from deep within, so the hero must be presented with problem, challenge, or adventure to undertake.

3. Refusal of the Call
At this point the hero is reluctant and tries to turn away from the adventure.

4. Meeting with the Mentor
By this time many stories introduce a character who is the hero's Mentor. This character is presented as a parent and child, teacher and student, doctor and patient, god and man.

5. Crossing the Threshold to the Special World
The hero commits to cross into the field of adventure, going into an unknown and dangerous universe where the rules and limits are not known.

ACT II

6. Tests, Allies and Enemies
The hero is tested and sorts out allegiances in the Special World.

7. Approach to the Innermost Cave
The hero and newfound allies prepare for the major challenge in the Special world.

8. The Ordeal
Near the middle of the story, the hero enters a central space in the Special World and confronts death or faces his or her greatest fear. Out of the moment of death comes a new life.

9. Reward
The hero takes possession of the treasure won by facing death. Despite the victory there is also danger of losing the treasure again.

ACT III

10. The Road Back
The hero is driven to complete the adventure, leaving the Special World to be sure the treasure is brought home. Often a chase scene signals the urgency and danger of the mission.

11. The Resurrection
At the climax, the hero is tested once more on the threshold of home. He or she is has to face another moment of death and rebirth, but on a higher and more complete level. By the hero’s action, the polarities that were in conflict at the beginning are finally resolved.

12. Return with the Elixir
The hero returns home or continues the journey, bearing some element of the treasure that has the power to transform the world as the hero has been transformed.