The HEro's Journey
An exploration of Joseph Campbell's Work
As we begin to learn about heroes, it is important to consider the mythology that will be driving our study. In this webquest, you will be exploring Joseph Campbell's definition of heroes.
Answer each of these questions in the Google Classroom assignment. Clearly label your responses. Make sure each group member creates his/her own answer document, even if you discuss the answers.
Answer each of these questions in the Google Classroom assignment. Clearly label your responses. Make sure each group member creates his/her own answer document, even if you discuss the answers.
WHo was Joseph Campbell?
Begin with Joseph Campbell's biography on Wikipedia. What did you find interesting in his biography? Did you click on any of the articles linked in his biography? Which ones? What did you learn from those articles?
What is an Archetype?
First, check out the definition of archetype in your textbook in the glossary on page R105 (it's toward the back). Put the basic definition in your own words in your journal. This will be a handy reference throughout the unit.
Then, read this Wikipedia article on Jungian archetypes, then read about each of the following archetypes:Think of the literature you have read. Have you seen any of these archetypes in characters in this literature? Which ones? Which books/characters/films have you seen them in? How do they fit the description of the archetype?
Then, read this Wikipedia article on Jungian archetypes, then read about each of the following archetypes:Think of the literature you have read. Have you seen any of these archetypes in characters in this literature? Which ones? Which books/characters/films have you seen them in? How do they fit the description of the archetype?
The Hero With a thousand faces
The Hero with a Thousand Faces is considered Campbell's seminal treatise on the theory of the monomyth, and it will form the centerpiece of our studies. Read this introductory article at Wikipedia about the book. What piques your interest?
The Hero's Journey In Writing
Watch the video linked below. How has the hero's journey been used throughout literature? How is it still used by writer's today?
Crash Course: Heroes
Mind map of campbell's idea
The image below is Austin Kleon's mind map of Campbell's ideas. Keeping in mind we have not begun to study Campbell in-depth yet, and this mind map is obviously the work of someone who had studied Campbell, what details interest you?
What Heroes Will We Study?
In this class we will be examining several types of heroes, including.
EPIC HERO: larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society. We will study Beowulf.
ROMANTIC HERO: is a literary archetype referring to a character that rejects established norms and conventions, has been rejected by society, and has the self as the center of his or her own existence. We will study King Arthur & his Knights, as well as the Knight's Tale from the Canterbury Tales.
TRAGIC HERO: a person of noble birth with heroic or potentially heroic qualities. This person is fated by the Gods or by some supernatural force to doom and destruction or at least to great suffering. We will study Macbeth and maybe Hamlet.
ANTIHERO: a central character in a story, movie, or drama who lacks conventional heroic attributes. We will study Sherlock.
HERO'S JOURNEY: an archetypal journey that takes the hero through several courses and shows up across several types of heroes throughout literature.
Based on the descriptions above, can you name any other heroes that fit these definitions? Think of at least one hero for each one and explain why he/she fits the mold. Be sure YOU know who the hero is, not just that you know how to Google it.
EPIC HERO: larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society. We will study Beowulf.
ROMANTIC HERO: is a literary archetype referring to a character that rejects established norms and conventions, has been rejected by society, and has the self as the center of his or her own existence. We will study King Arthur & his Knights, as well as the Knight's Tale from the Canterbury Tales.
TRAGIC HERO: a person of noble birth with heroic or potentially heroic qualities. This person is fated by the Gods or by some supernatural force to doom and destruction or at least to great suffering. We will study Macbeth and maybe Hamlet.
ANTIHERO: a central character in a story, movie, or drama who lacks conventional heroic attributes. We will study Sherlock.
HERO'S JOURNEY: an archetypal journey that takes the hero through several courses and shows up across several types of heroes throughout literature.
Based on the descriptions above, can you name any other heroes that fit these definitions? Think of at least one hero for each one and explain why he/she fits the mold. Be sure YOU know who the hero is, not just that you know how to Google it.
Credits and References:
This webquest was adapted by Mrs. Straube in February 2017; updated Janruary 2020
Joseph Campbell: A Scavenger Hunt for 'The Hero with a Thousand Faces' Students (Dana Huff) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0
Photo Credit: Flickr User: A Hős Útja Title: "The Hero's Journey: Joseph Campbell" URL: goo.gl/XYe3cZ
The Joseph Campbell Mind Map was created by Austin Kleon and is used in accordance with a Creative Commons License.
The Joseph Campbell Mind Map was created by Austin Kleon and is used in accordance with a Creative Commons License.
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