Survive and they become transformed, and according to Volger, thereby informing every decision they make from then on. Their greatest fear must now be faced, bringing with it their biggest test. Ordeal (the Hero faces his biggest test of all thus far)ĭescribed by Volger as a “black moment” and Campbell as the “belly of the whale”, this eighth stage is by no means fun for our Hero.Obviously, use of the words ‘Inmost Cave’ aren’t necessarily literal.
The stage is all about the Hero’s approach to the most dangerous spot in the Special World, where the ultimate goal of the adventure is almost always located.Įxample: The Death Star in Star Wars. Approach to the Inmost Cave (the Hero gets closer to his goal).In this stage, we often are introduced to aliens, enemies, friends and foes.Įxample: In Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Spencer, Bethany, Fridge, and Martha don’t get off to the smoothest of starts when they bump into a herd of bloodthirsty hippos.
Usually one of the longest stages, it makes a prime hunting ground for a series of tests to be passed. Our Hero has stepped into the Special Word and begins getting to grips with their new reality.
The time-worn, but not time-beaten old trainer, who takes Rocky under his wing in preparation for his world title fight with Apollo Creed. Although, the mentor can be something as faceless as a map, preparation for the Hero’s next step is still the case.Įxample: Mickey Goldmill in Rocky. The mentor ensures our Hero has the tools to carry out their adventure, usually through a mixture of practical training, seemingly limitless wisdom and some, let’s say, carefully chosen words of tough love. With the Journeys carrying with them significant dangers far too risky for our as yet unproven Heroes, we are often introduced to a mentor.
It was, though, Joseph Campbell, the academic who first coined the term way back in 1949, who provided its original structure: This classic story structure is shared by stories around the globe from Theseus and the Minotaur to Rocky Balboa and as a result is lodged firmly into our cultural DNA. The protagonist embarks on an adventure, makes some new friends, overcomes obstacles and returns home a changed person.