The Hero’s Journey in Mythology In 1949, American scholar Joseph Campbell introduced the concept of the hero’s journey, also known as monomyth, in his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces. The concept proposes the pattern continuously seen within heroic stories, where Campbell concludes that all tell the same story in various forms. The pattern follows the protagonist through evolutions of the character, allowing readers to experience the hero evolve from living an ordinary life to emerging with gained knowledge and a newfound sense of purpose. Different types of literature follow these stages thoroughly, mythology not excluded. In this case, Greek mythology shares the pattern of the hero’s journey throughout the story of Perseus and his
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He places the head into his kibisis using the shield, careful not to look into her face, as the head still possessed all powers despite death. Afterwards, the other two Gorgons are awoken and chase after him, yet he manages to escape by flying away with the winged sandals. While on his way to Seriphos, Perseus comes across a beautiful princess and saves her life, immediately asking for permission to marry. He then flies back to his home on the island with Medusa’s head in his possession and his bride-to-be Princess Andromeda. Upon his arrival, he learns of his mother being forced into being Polydectes’ handmaiden. Consequently, the discovery angers Perseus, leading him to battle Polydectes. Perseus quickly ends the fight after he uses Medusa’s head to turn the king and all of his men to stone, allowing his mother freedom.
The journey comes to a close, and Perseus returns all of the items loaned to him throughout his travel. The experience changes Perseus into a stronger, heroic figure, providing him with better knowledge and a greater experience than imagined. His adventure presents the hero’s journey pattern in which Perseus plays the general role of hero and clearly presents the stages. His story represents a substantial amount of other hero stories, in which the same pattern gets utilized. The concept of monomyth helps allow readers to connect the pattern to other
He places the head into his kibisis using the shield, careful not to look into her face, as the head still possessed all powers despite death. Afterwards, the other two Gorgons are awoken and chase after him, yet he manages to escape by flying away with the winged sandals. While on his way to Seriphos, Perseus comes across a beautiful princess and saves her life, immediately asking for permission to marry. He then flies back to his home on the island with Medusa’s head in his possession and his bride-to-be Princess Andromeda. Upon his arrival, he learns of his mother being forced into being Polydectes’ handmaiden. Consequently, the discovery angers Perseus, leading him to battle Polydectes. Perseus quickly ends the fight after he uses Medusa’s head to turn the king and all of his men to stone, allowing his mother freedom.
The journey comes to a close, and Perseus returns all of the items loaned to him throughout his travel. The experience changes Perseus into a stronger, heroic figure, providing him with better knowledge and a greater experience than imagined. His adventure presents the hero’s journey pattern in which Perseus plays the general role of hero and clearly presents the stages. His story represents a substantial amount of other hero stories, in which the same pattern gets utilized. The concept of monomyth helps allow readers to connect the pattern to other