If you’ve spent any time studying the theories behind creative writing and storytelling, you’ll no doubt be familiar with the concept of the Hero’s Journey.
From epic, life or death quests formed around a mythic structure, to the transformative adventures in contemporary narratives, the Hero’s Journey is a timeless tool that helps us map a narrative path that is both deeply personal and universally relatable. In this article, we’re going to take a walk through all 12 of the Hero’s Journey steps, including exploration of why they continue to remain fundamental when writing a compelling story today.
SEE ALSO: Freytag’s Pyramid: Unveiling the Core of Dramatic Storytelling and Are There Only 7 Types of Story in the World?
Introduction to the Hero’s Journey Concept
Popularized by Joseph Campbell in his work The Hero with a Thousand Faces, the Hero’s Journey offers a 12-step series of story beats—nestled within a three-act story structure—that outlines the universal steps a hero or heroine must take. At its core, it’s a framework that storytellers can adapt and interpret in countless ways, allowing for creative freedom while still adhering to a structure that captures the essence of human experience. Through echoing the cycles of struggle and renewal that characterize our lives, the Hero’s Journey taps into deep-seated human emotions and aspirations.
In short, something about it just feels right in our unconscious mind.
Whether it’s the tale of a young hero setting out to save their world, or a more intimate journey of self-discovery and healing, the Hero’s Journey provides a blueprint for stories that speak to us on a fundamental level. It’s no coincidence that the theory behind it is rooted in monomyth structure, mirroring the story beats behind tales that have survived, or even transcended, the civilizations, religions, and cultures from which they were born.
Now that’s the kind of power you’d like to capture in your stories, isn’t it? Let’s see how it’s done.
The 12 Hero’s Journey Steps: A Complete Adventure
1. The Ordinary World
The first step in the hero’s journey begins in the ordinary world—a place of everyday life where the hero resides before the adventure starts. This familiar setting establishes a contrast to the extraordinary events that will soon unfold, grounding the story in a relatable context. It’s within this ordinary world that we see the hero in their natural environment, offering insights into their character, values, and desires. This backdrop not only sets the stage for the journey ahead but also creates a point of reference for the transformation the hero will undergo.
As the hero embarks on their journey, the ordinary world remains a touchstone, a reminder of what they’ve left behind and what they strive to protect or return to. Campbell sees this initial step as essential for engaging the audience, inviting them to journey alongside the hero from the comfort of their everyday lives into realms of adventure and uncertainty. It’s exciting when we get to see things get shaken up!
2. The Call to Adventure
The call to adventure is the catalyst that propels the hero out of their ordinary world and into the realm of the extraordinary. This pivotal moment in the hero’s journey is where the adventure truly begins, presenting an opportunity or challenge that cannot be ignored. Whether it’s a direct threat to the hero’s world, a personal loss, or the arrival of a mysterious invitation, the call to adventure disrupts the status quo, compelling the hero to act. It is this call that sets the stage for the hero’s transformation, offering a glimpse into the potential for greatness that lies within.
In its presentation, the call to adventure intends to remind us of the moments in our own lives when we’ve faced significant choices. When a tough challenge or an intriguing upheaval arrives, what do we do? What would we do if were in this particular character’s shoes? What have we done in the past? Would we do things differently, knowing what we now know? All of these considerations and emotions come flooding back, thanks to this monumental or curious event.
3. Refusal of the Call
Speaking of choices… this is where the character at the heart of the story is forced to make that choice, and initially refuses. This moment of doubt and fear is a deeply human reaction to the prospect of change and the unknown. Here, the character’s vulnerability and reluctance is on show, piling on elements of relatability as they struggle to leave behind the safety and comfort of the ordinary world and the status quo.
The refusal also adds tension to the story, introducing internal conflicts and obstacles that the hero must overcome even before facing the external challenges of the journey. It stresses the gravity of the adventure ahead and the risks involved, setting the stakes for what’s to come. What is the price for outright refusal, besides the fact the story would simply be over? As the protagonist accepts their duty or obligation and moves from fear and refusal to acceptance and action, they’re already beginning to grow as a person by stepping out of their comfort zone.
4. Meeting the Mentor
In many great stories, heroes receive practical training from a mentor who has wisdom and experience. This mentor helps prepare the hero for the challenges ahead. They might offer important advice, tools, or even magical support that the hero needs to face upcoming trials. This stage is crucial because it shows the hero is not alone and highlights the importance of obtaining guidance and wisdom from those who have walked a similar path before.
The mentor’s role is not just to train the hero in skills, but also to instill confidence and courage—qualities that are essential for the journey ahead. Even if they feel overwhelmed by it all, the hero must eventually move on from the mentor, using the lessons learned to face challenges independently. This is a critical step in the hero’s development, though the mentor’s teachings continue to influence them, serving as a guiding light.
5. Crossing the Threshold
When the hero crosses the threshold, they step into a world vastly different from their familiar surroundings. This moment is a significant turning point, marking the hero’s commitment to their journey. It’s the point of no return, often pinpointed as the story’s transition into Act II, where the hero leaves behind the ordinary world and ventures into the unknown.
The actual act of crossing the first threshold is often laden with danger and uncertainty. It requires courage from the hero, as we don’t know how everything is going to work out once they’re in unfamiliar terrority. As such, the transition is not just physical but also emotional and psychological.
The threshold is sometimes guarded by a threshold guardian, a character or obstacle that tests the hero’s readiness for the journey. Overcoming this guardian or obstacle is the hero’s first challenge, proving they are worthy of the journey ahead.
6. Tests, Allies, Enemies
As the hero ventures deeper into the new world, they encounter a series of tests that challenge their strength, wisdom, and resolve. These tests are not just obstacles but opportunities for growth, allowing the hero to demonstrate their virtues and flaws. Through these trials, the hero learns important lessons that prepare them for greater challenges to come.
Along the way, the hero forms alliances with characters who share common goals or values. These allies provide support, advice, and camaraderie… but the hero also encounters enemies who oppose their quest, presenting significant external conflicts.
This stage is a dynamic mix of challenges that test the hero’s capabilities and determination. It’s a critical period of trial and error, where the hero learns who to trust and who to fear, plus the skills they can rely on and the ones they can’t.
7. Approach to the Inmost Cave
The approach to the inmost cave is where the hero will prepare to face their greatest challenge yet. The “cave” iself can be a physical location, but it can also symbolize the deepest part of the hero’s inner self, where they must confront their biggest fears or weaknesses.
This part of the journey sets the stage for the culmination of the hero’s quest—the runway to the climactic confrontation, if you will. The hero gathers what they need, which may involve strategizing with allies, refining skills acquired earlier in the journey, or seeking final pieces of advice. Before the hero enters the cave, they must also confront any lingering doubts or fears, as these inner demons can be as devastating as any external obstacle or enemy.
8. The Ordeal
In the heart of the inmost cave, the hero must face the ordeal. This is where the hero encounters a formidable obstacle or enemy—the toughest yet seen—which tests everything the hero has learned so far. The ordeal is a life or death crisis that forces the hero to use all of their skills, wisdom, and courage; a confrontation with the hero’s greatest fear and a test of their willingness to change.
The ordeal can take many forms, from a physical battle to an inner struggle against the hero’s own shadow self. Whatever the nature of the ordeal, it pushes the hero to their limits and requires a significant sacrifice or decision. The hero’s success or failure in this moment defines the course of the rest of the journey. If we’re on the path to a good ending, they’ll tend to emerge stronger, wiser, or with a new understanding of themselves and their world—a signal that the hero has committed to seeing the journey through.
9. Reward (Seizing the Sword)
After facing the ordeal, the hero is granted a reward, often symbolized as seizing the sword or obtaining a treasure. This reward is not just a physical object but represents the knowledge, power, or experience gained through overcoming the ordeal. It is a token of the hero’s bravery, a sign of their newly acquired strength or wisdom.
The reward phase in the Hero’s Journey story structure is a moment of celebration and reflection for the hero. It offers some brief respite, allowing them to acknowledge their achievements and the growth they’ve undergone. Here, they can start to see the impact of their journey and understand how their actions have changed them and possibly others.
However, the journey is not over yet. The acquisition of the reward often incites the hero’s opposition… who will rally to prevent the completion of the adventure and try to stop the hero from returning to the ordinary world.
10. The Road Back
The road back marks the hero’s decision to return to the ordinary world with the reward they have won. This stage is often characterized by a sense of urgency or a chase, as the hero is pursued by the remnants of the forces they’ve defeated or comes across other challenges that arise from seizing the reward. The hero must overcome these final tests to bring their journey to a successful conclusion.
Think of this phase not only as a physical return, but also the hero’s internal transition towards completing their arc. The hero begins to understand the full impact of their journey and contemplates how they will integrate their new knowledge or power into their original world. It’s a reflection of the hero’s growth and the trials they’ve overcome. The hero may be reluctant to return, or fear being unable to integrate the lessons learned into the ordinary world—but whatever their feeling, this stage still marks the beginning of the end.
11. Resurrection
In the hero’s journey story structure, the Resurrection is a pivotal moment where the hero faces a final test, often their greatest, climactic foe. Here, they must use everything they’ve learned to overcome a final challenge. The hero emerges from this confrontation forever changed, often with a better understanding of themselves and their place in the world, and having defeated any doubts they may have had about their ability to endure The Road Back.
The Resurrection often mirrors the hero’s initial failure or fear, but now they confront it with newfound strength. This is where we see it come together: everything they’ve learned, everything they’ve developed, every internal flaw they’ve rectified… it all comes together in a testament to their growth and ensures their return is earned, not just given. By facing death or their greatest fear, the hero is, in a metaphorical sense, reborn.
12. Return with the Elixir
The final step in the hero’s journey and the end of this three-act structure, Returning with the Elixir, symbolizes the hero bringing back something valuable from their journey. It could be a literal object or it could be knowledge, wisdom, or a combination thereof. This return benefits not just the hero but their original world or community as well. It’s the culmination of the heroic journey we’ve tread together, showing the impact of it all.
This return does not always mean a happy ending in the traditional sense, but marks the completion of the hero’s arc. The elixir they bring back can be the key to healing wounds, solving longstanding problems, or simply a better version of themselves. In a darker narrative, they might actually return corrupted—a destroyer, not a savior.
Classical and Modern Examples of the Hero’s Journey
Examples of the hero’s journey can be found throughout classical literature and modern storytelling, serving as a universal story template. From ancient myths to contemporary films, this particular story structure seems to enjoy timeless appeal thanks to its adaptability.
While vastly different in setting and style, a profound wealth of stories across history have followed the same foundational elements of this mythic structure, placing the steps of the hero’s journey within all sorts of creative wrappers—from sci-fi worlds, to supernatural terror, children’s films and more. Let’s take a quick look at some examples.
Star Wars: A New Hope
George Lucas’s original Star Wars: A New Hope is a quintessential example of the hero’s journey, with Luke Skywalker embarking on an epic adventure that transforms him from a farm boy to a galactic hero. Initially, Luke refuses the call to adventure, preferring the safety of his home life. However, the turning point comes when his aunt and uncle have been killed, propelling him into the wider universe and towards his destiny.
Throughout his journey, Luke meets allies such as Princess Leia and mentors like Obi-Wan Kenobi, who guide and support him. These relationships are crucial for his development, providing him with the knowledge and strength needed to face the challenges ahead. Luke’s story is a classic tale of growth, courage, and the quest for freedom.
By the end of the film, Luke has undergone a significant transformation, shown by his decisive role in the destruction of the Death Star. This victory is not just a personal achievement but a collective one, impacting the broader fight against the Empire. Luke’s metamorphosis from a reluctant hero to a celebrated leader captures the essence of the hero’s journey almost entirely.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
The adventure begins in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring when Frodo Baggins, a hobbit from the Shire, inherits a ring of immense power. Unwillingly thrust into a pivotal role, Frodo’s journey is a compelling illustration of the hero’s journey. After crossing the threshold from the tranquil Shire into the perilous realms of Middle-earth, his quest is fraught with danger, alliances, and growth.
Along the way, Frodo’s resolve is tested, and he is forced to rely on the strength of his companions and the wisdom of his mentors. This fellowship, diverse yet united against a common foe, pulls together the universal themes of camaraderie, sacrifice, courage, perseverence, and ordinary characters achieving extraordinary feats that all underpin the Hero’s Journey story structure. In the end, Frodo’s return to the Shire marks not just the end of his quest, but profound changes within him and his world.
The Hero’s Journey in Disney/Dreamworks
Disney and Dreamworks animation studios have masterfully incorporated the hero’s journey into many of their films, using the three-act structure to depict the protagonist’s journey from the ordinary world to a realm of adventure and back again. In their nigh-on perfect adaptations of the Hero’s Journey (the Toy Story series, for example), they offer up character development, challenges, and ultimate triumphs that prove a home run with audiences of all ages.
Characters like Simba from The Lion King and Shrek from the Shrek series exemplify the hero’s journey, each facing unique challenges and transformations along their path. They venture out of their comfort zones, confront their fears, and grow in ways they never imagined. The story structure facilitates this journey, providing a clear arc of departure, tests, triumph, and return.
Through their adventures, Disney’s animated heroes learn valuable lessons, make new allies, and overcome obstacles that test their resolve and character. The climax of their journey often involves a significant sacrifice or battle, leading to a resolution where the hero returns transformed, bringing with them a “elixir” that improves their world.
Classics: Jane Eyre
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë is a profound example of the heroine’s journey, a narrative arc that explores themes of death and rebirth, crossing of the threshold, and the eventual return transformed. From her early years in her aunt’s oppressive home to her time at Lowood School, Jane consistently faces trials that test her resilience and fortitude.
Jane’s departure from her known world and into Thornfield Hall is where she crosses the threshold. Here, she encounters the innermost cave, facing her deepest fears and desires. Her relationship with Mr. Rochester and the revelation of his hidden secrets serve as the ordeal, challenging Jane to remain true to her principles and beliefs.
Jane’s journey culminates in her return to Rochester, now backed with a newfound strength and independence. As mentioned in our walkthrough of the hero’s journey steps, this return is not just a physical one—it also demonstrates Jane’s psychological rebirth. She brings back the “elixir” of her self-respect and identity, improving both her life and Rochester’s.
Mythology: Cupid and Psyche
The mythological tale of Cupid and Psyche follows the heroine, Psyche, through her struggles and eventual union with Cupid, taking us on a classic hero’s journey. Initially, Psyche lives in her ordinary world, unaware of what awaits her. Her beauty enrages Venus, leading to a call to adventure that will test Psyche’s resolve.
Psyche’s journey is marked by trials, including tasks set by Venus and eventual separation from Cupid. Each task brings her closer to understanding herself and the true nature of love, before her ordeal culminates in a descent to the underworld—a common motif in mythic storytelling that symbolizes the inmost cave.
Ultimately, Psyche’s journey ends with her return, not just to the mortal world but to a rebirth as an immortal, having seized the reward and found true love with Cupid. This resolution marks her return with the elixir, bringing to the world a daughter, Voluptas, the goddess of pleasure.
Tips for Crafting Your Own Hero’s Journey
Creating a story that follows the hero’s journey can seem daunting at first. Frameworks can, after all, feel restrictive by nature if you take them entirely on face value. Here are a few tips to help you get to grips with the Hero’s Journey and map your own road of trials that readers will be only too happy to walk.
Build a Relatable Beginning
To begin, start by envisioning the ordinary world of your protagonist. This is their starting point, where the audience gets to know them before their adventure kicks off. It’s important to make this world relatable to build a connection with the reader. Note that relatable doesn’t mean cliché or boring. Think about the human aspects of living within this world. What frustration does your character feel? What gives them comfort or relief on a daily basis? If they’re human, they’ll have problems. They’ll have things they have and things they desire. How does the world around them serve or deny these things?
Next, think about the call to adventure. This is the event that pulls your hero away from their normal life. It should be compelling, pushing them towards the unknown. Remember, the journey is as much about internal growth as it is about external challenges, which is exactly why you consider the problems inherent in your hero’s world before the story begins.
By mapping out these early stages, you’re setting a strong foundation for a story.
Build a Singular Heroic Protagonist
When designing a protagonist for your hero’s journey, it’s crucial to create a character that readers can root for. This means giving them qualities that are admirable, like courage and kindness, but also flaws that make them human. An effective hero is someone who grows over the course of their journey, learning from their experiences and becoming better for them. As as audience, we’re engaged in the story as much to witness characters’ psychological development as we are for the exciting set-pieces and brushes with danger.
Your hero’s motivation is key to their relatability. Whether it’s saving their world or finding themselves, what drives them forward will also pull the reader in. Their goals should be clear, but achieving them must require overcoming significant obstacles, which adds depth to the story and the protagonist’s character arc.
Lastly, remember that a hero doesn’t have to be perfect or all-powerful. Vulnerability can be a strength, allowing for moments of doubt and fear that make their eventual triumph all the more satisfying. The people we love don’t always do things that we like—so, just as when thinking about your character’s world, remember that relatable doesn’t mean perfect.
Know the Role of the Mentor
In the hero’s journey, the mentor plays a pivotal role in providing the hero with the knowledge and practical training they need to face their challenges. This figure is often seen as a wise guide whose wisdom is born from experience, making them an invaluable ally in the hero’s quest.
The relationship between the hero and the mentor is not just about the transfer of knowledge; it’s also a key driver of the story’s emotional depth. Through their interactions, the mentor helps the hero build confidence and resolve, breaking down their internal emotional barriers and helping them begin the path to Resurrection.
Consider carefully how your mentor fits into your hero’s journey. What’s their background? What are their skills? Their presence should be meaningful, attached to your hero’s desires so they can influence their development in significant ways.
Challenges and Triumphs are the Heart of the Journey
At the core of every hero’s journey are the challenges and triumphs that define the protagonist’s path. These moments, structured around the 12 steps of the journey, are essential for the hero’s growth. Each test, ally, and enemy introduces new obstacles and lessons, pushing the hero to evolve and adapt. These experiences are not just hurdles but opportunities for the hero to demonstrate the traits that make them who they are, so keep them varied, coming at the hero from different angles—physical, emotional, and psychological.
The ordeal, the most intense of these challenges, serves as a crucible for the hero’s character. It’s here that the protagonist faces their greatest fears and must summon all their strength to prevail. This victory, however, is not the end—it’s a turning point that leads to greater understanding and the acquisition of the reward. The triumph over the ordeal redefines the hero, setting the stage for the final challenges on the journey back home.
Adapting the Hero’s Journey for Different Genres
Not writing a sweeping mythological epic? Don’t worry! The versatility of the hero’s journey allows it to be adapted across a variety of genres, from fantasy and science fiction to romance and mystery. Each genre brings its unique conventions, tropes and expectations, but the fundamental structure of the hero’s journey can provide a universal framework for storytelling.
Integrating the hero’s journey into a narrative doesn’t require strict adherence to every step or archetype. You can always tailor it to fit your story’s unique context and goals. In a fantasy setting, for example, the journey might involve literal quests and magical battles, while in a mystery, the hero’s challenges could be intellectual, involving puzzles and deduction. In horror, the ordeal may prove an absolute failure, pushing the story’s hero to the deepest depths of despair.
Regardless of the genre, the emotional and psychological growth of the hero remains central to the journey. Spend some time with the hero’s journey steps listed in front of you, and see if you can spot how they’ve been integrated into genre narratives you enjoy in both film and literature. They’re unlikely to be as obscured as you might think.
In fact, at AutoCrit we’ve done a lot of that work for you, with genre-specific beat sheets that help you map the perfect story structure across genres like horror, mystery, and romance inside the interactive Story Builder tool available to AutoCrit Pro members. These are the result of a broad scope of genre research, pulling together key structural beats that stay married to the kind of three-act structure audiences know and love.
The Enduring Appeal of the Hero’s Journey
Finally, we have to sum it up. What is it about the Hero’s Journey that makes it such an enduring story structure?
Simply put, we believe it’s because this journey template serves not just as a method for storytelling but as a framework for instantly recognizable, and relatable, character and plot development. This mythic structure, or monomyth, as Joseph Campbell described it, taps into universal themes and reflects the human experience—challenges faced, lessons learned, and transformations undergone. These are experiences that everyone, regardless of background or belief, can understand, empathize with, and appreciate.
Yet even as it does so, it still invites writers to push beyond the status quo and explore the depths of their creativity. Stages can be reinterpreted in fresh and exciting ways, but still retain the soul of their original intentions as writers introduce us to new characters, imaginative scenarios, dramatic confrontations, out-of-this-world settings and so much more.
The broader scope of the structure does not remove your ability to shift the smaller levers within—and this is likely why the Hero’s Journey has remained influential since the dawn of storytelling itself. Ancient myths, legends, and folktales from diverse cultures around the globe have long employed this narrative structure, from the epic quests of Greek heroes to the spiritual journeys found in Eastern traditions.
All in all, it speaks to the heart: a story structure that helps us see that, in the end, maybe we’re not so different after all.
