Hero's Journey (Monomyth): An Expansion of Consciousness


by Kal Bishop - Date: 2007-01-22 - Word Count: 328 Share This!

The Hero's Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188 stage template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.

There is only one story.

The Hero's Journey:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharsis).

d) Gives you a universal structural template upon which you can superimpose your situational story.

and more...

Expansion of Consciousness

The Seizing of the Sword is one of the critical stages of the Hero's Journey. But what is it exactly? Well, it is in the truest sense an Expansion of Consciousness. The Hero et al have no hope of conquering their Antagonisms or the Antagonist until they have Seized the Sword.

In classic structure, the Sword is a tangible object - treasure, fire or a bride - that represents or comes with the knowledge that will vanquish the antagonist.

In New Self structure, it is the New Self itself. The Hero becomes a New Self and suddenly gains a capacity that was previously lacking.

So when the Oracle sends the Hero et al on their way to the Seek and Seize the Sword, it is not without reason - it is the Sword that will give them the answers and power that they need.

a) In Jason and the Argonauts (1963), once they Medea, they gain access to the king.

b) In Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), the Ark is the Sword and capable of destroying all the nazis.

c) In The Wizard of Oz (1939), it is the seizing of the broom that leads to the witches death and gains an audience with the wizard without the previous obstacles.


Related Tags: screenplay, heros, journey, monomyth, story, structure, heros journey, screeenwriting

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The Complete 188 stage Hero's Journey and other story structure templates can be found at www.clickok.co.uk

The Managing Creativity and Innovation MBA dissertation, DIY creativity Audit, Powerpoint presentation and Good Idea generator software can be found at www.managing-creativity.com

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Kal Bishop, MBA

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