Who Is Joseph Campbell's Theory Of An Epic Hero

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Recommended: The odyssey and epic of Gilgamesh

Tara Zaccheus
Ms. McGrath/Period 5
World Literature
March 29, 2016
Research Project: Theory of a Heroes Journey
In The Hero With a Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell explained a theory of an epic hero experiencing a quest in order to validate their strength. A heroes quest had been mentioned many times in “Modern English” language romance novel, and may had been identified in international literature. In this book it discussed the seventeen steps a hero must go through in order to analyze oneself known as a quest. Joseph Campbell gave the reader these steps in the most succinct way. Three examples showed the protagonist-endured challenges to ultimately become a hero. These books were The Epic of Gilgamesh by Unknown, The Odyssey by Homer, and Beowulf by Unknown. Although The Odyssey had no direct influence on Beowulf, and The Epic of Gilgamesh, all agree with Joseph Campbell’s theory of an epic hero having to go through a quest to validate their strength. …show more content…

Gilgamesh was western literature’s first known hero. Joseph Campbell revealed the three important sections of a Hero’s journey which was Separation, Initiation and Return. The first section and the hardest, Separation, talks about the detachment from the normal world. The second section Initiation, also known as the commencement of the journey is also where the most challenges occurs. This last section, Return, is when the hero can rejoice in victory.
Joseph Campbell’s theory of the hero’s journey started out with a Call to Adventure. The hero is suddenly called upon to help in a certain situation. The next step is the Refusal of the Call, when the hero had been called upon, but does not want to go on the journey. At this time this is when the hero would have the most anxiety. The following step is Supernatural Aid, when the hero boasts about not using weapons in duel. Most heroes were dependent on the mystical world to safeguard them in

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