The Heroic Cycle

1. The Heroic Cycle Bellerophon and Pegasus Perseus and Medusa The Steps a Hero Undergoes Throughout His or Her Adventure Peter Parker as Spider-Man Odysseus and his Crew

2. 1. DEPARTURE 3. RETURN The Cycle 1) The Birth 2) The Call 18) Freedom to Live 3) Refusal of the Call 17) Master of the Two Worlds 4) Supernatural Aid 5) Crossing the First Threshold 16) Crossing the Return Threshold THE EVERYDAY WORLD 6) Belly of the Whale 15) Rescue from Without THE UNDERWORLD 14) The Magic Flight 7) Road of Trials 13) Refusal to Return 8) Meeting with the Goddess 12) The Ultimate Boon 9) Woman as the Temptress 11) Apotheosis 10) Atonement with the Father 2. INITIATION

3. Departure The Birth • Fabulous circumstances surrounding conception, birth, and childhood establish the hero's pedigree and often constitute their own mono-myth cycle (how his/her life is going to take shape). Botticelli's "Birth of Venus (Aphrodite)"

4. Departure The Call • The hero is called to adventure by some external event or messenger. The hero may accept the call willingly or reluctantly. • This call refers to an invitation to do something, go somewhere, or become something. Of course, it’s not REALLY a Phone Call! … Peter Parker’s calling to become Spiderman began on the day he was bitten…

5. Departure Refusal of the Call • At first the hero may refuse the call to adventure. He or she may refuse out of FEAR, INSECURITY, or OBLIGATION (doesn’t want to leave his home or family). • However, once he or she gets over this refusal, the adventure is set to begin.

6. Departure Supernatural Aid • During the early stages of the journey, the hero will often receive aid from a protective figure. • This supernatural helper can take a wide variety of forms, such as a wizard, and old man, a dwarf, a crone, or a fairy godmother. • The helper commonly gives the hero a protective amulet or weapon for the journey.

7. Departure Crossing the First Threshold • This is the point where hero crosses the first field of adventure, leaving his/her known world behind, entering an unknown realm. • The important feature is the contrast between the familiar world of light and the dark, unknown world of adventure.

8. Departure Belly of the Whale • This experience may seem like a low point (unknown, dark, frightening). • However, it actually symbolizes the final break with the old world and self and the potential for a new world and self.

9. Initiation Road of Trials • A series of tests or tasks that a hero must undergo to begin the change from old self to new. • These tests or tasks often occur in threes.

10. Initiation Meeting with the Goddess • The point in the adventure when the hero experiences a love that has the power and significance of a mother’s love. This is a sacred, unconditional love. For Peter Parker, Aunt May is his ‘Goddess.’ She guides him when he feels lost and she listens to him when he needs to talk things through.

11. Initiation Woman as the Temptress • Here, ‘woman’ is a metaphor for the physical material temptations in life. • Something will happen to the hero to cause him to stray from his/her quest. MJ has always been Peter Parker’s # 1 desire, his dream. In Spider-Man 2, he actually strays from his heroic role in order to focus on his love life… of course this “temptress” is NOT always a woman (could be money, power…)

12. Initiation Atonement with the Father • This is the center of the journey. Everything before lead to it, everything that follows stems from it. • The hero confronts the thing/person that has incredible power. Sometimes this is a father figure, but not always. • The hero is transformed, sometimes literally killed…then takes another form.

13. Initiation Apotheosis • This may be the hero actually becoming a god or god-like. • Apotheosis may also be just a period of rest and peace before the hero begins the return. Hero may become god-like…

14. Initiation The Ultimate Boon • The achievement of the quest. • What the hero went on the journey to get. Goal Accomplished!

15. Return Refusal to Return • When all has been achieved, the gods have been met, and the hero has traveled to a great place… • WHY COME BACK? No on Return!

16. Return The Magic Flight • If the boon is something precious to the gods or is carefully guarded, the hero may have to dangerously or adventurous escape with it. Going into “danger” in order to leave the dark world behind

17. Return Rescue from Without • Just as the hero needed supernatural aid while departing, he/she may need some guidance or rescuing to get back to everyday life.

18. Return Crossing the Return Threshold • The hero must discover how to hold on to the wisdom he has gained from his journey, use it in everyday life, and perhaps teach it to others. Must unlock and make use of the gained wisdom!

19. Return Master of the Two Worlds • In myth, this may be shown through a god-like character who has power in the human world, and at Olympus (like Hermes). • For a human character like Jason or Theseus, it may be shown in their balance of the material and spiritual. They appear comfortable and confident.

20. Return Freedom to Live • Freedom to live, in myth, means not fearing death. • A hero will show this fearlessness by living in the moment, and not caring for the future nor regretting the past.