The hero and the quest should be seen as
a general pattern. A hero-quest story
need not have all elements to be regarded as following the archetype.
Furthermore, each culture and writer will add a specific colouring to the tale.
Challenges may involve corrupt kings,
dragons or monsters, personal challenges, often in a waste land or land of the
dead.
Elements often found in the archetypal
hero quest:
1. The
hero may appear to be of humble origins, but actually has a parent or parents
who are special in some way.
2. A
sign marks the hero’s birth.
3. When
the hero is young, a threat may be made against the hero’s life.
4. The
hero is often raised by foster parents.
5. The
hero receives a call to adventure/ quest
6. The
hero may initially refuse the call.
7. The
hero heads on a quest.
8. The
quest often involves a clear threshold/jumping-off point/point of no return.
9. The
quest involves many challenges and temptations.
10. The hero has a mentor
figure, usually old and wise.
11.
The hero may have
helpers and even divine aid, or a special weapon.
12.
The hero must enter a
dead/strange/mysterious/unknown world/ waste land.
13. Despite the assistants,
the hero must face the final challenge alone.
14. If the hero succeeds,
he or she emerges changed. The hero has important knowledge, revelation, and
self-knowledge.
15.
The hero returns, and
may receive some kind of gift or reward.
16. The hero’s death is
often mysterious or uncertain.
17.
A myth may develop that the hero will return.
