Continuing the Hero’s Journey

Mythology. Thu, Mar 24th, 2011 at 4:46 pm

We’ve moved halfway through the hero’s initiation—from “The Call to Adventure” to the “Supernatural Aid” that helps move the hero toward the realm of the unknown. Tonight you should read through the “Crossing of the First Threshold,” though “The Belly of the Whale” may be too exciting to leave to the weekend.

The following is a quick highlight reel of what we’ve covered so far. If you haven’t been keeping with your notes, this is a good (if sparse) start. Alongside your explanations should be examples from Ovid and your own experience of literature and pop culture. ((We’ve pulled (probably too) heavily from Star Wars in our discussions, but with good reason. (That 45-second clip may not be all that interesting, but check out the related ones; if you’re having trouble with the concept of the Monomyth there are plenty of examples out there.))

The Call to Adventure

This is an example of one of the ways in which the adventure can begin. A blunder—apparently the merest chance—reveals an unsuspected world, and the individual is drawn into a relationship with forces that are not rightly understood. (46)

As a preliminary manifestation of the powers that are breaking into play, the frog, coming up as it were by miracle, can be termed the "herald"; the crisis of his appearance is the "call to adventure." (47)

The Refusal of the Call

Often in actual life, and not infrequently in the myths and popular tales, we encounter the dull case of the call unanswered; for it is always possible to turn the ear to other interests. Refusal of the summons converts the adventure into its negative. Walled in boredom, hard work, or "culture," the subject loses the power of significant affirmative action and becomes a victim to be saved. (54)

Supernatural Aid

For those who have not refused the call, the first encounter of the hero-journey is with a protective figure (often a little old crone or old man) who provides the adventurer with amulets against the dragon forces he is about to pass (57).

The Crossing of the First Threshold

[T]he hero goes forward in his adventure until he comes to the "threshold guardian" at the entrance to the zone of magnified power. . . . Beyond them is darkness, the unknown, and danger; just as beyond the parental watch is danger to the infant and beyond the protection of his society danger to the member of the tribe. (71)

For those interested, and excellent translation of the complete tale of Kamar al-Zaman and Princess Budur is here:

One Response to “Continuing the Hero’s Journey”

  1. Job’s Journey - The Winsome Scholar says:
    April 3, 2011 at 8:25 am

    […] last left off at “The Crossing of the First Threshold.” We spent this week discussing Campbell’s analysis […]