The Hero's Journey: The Road of Trials--1st Stage in the Initiation Phase of the Monomyth
Channel: Josh Coker
Date: 2015-09-20

If you're looking for more information on the Monomyth/Hero's Journey, check out my new book on the subject: 

https://www.amazon.com/Mythological-Storytelling-Stages-Journey-Monomyth-ebook/dp/B07173NJCN/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495518569&sr=8-1&keywords=mythological+storytelling

In this video Josh explains the first stage in the Initiation phase of the Monomyth; the road of trials. Durin the hero's journey, this step takes up the majority of the narrative. 

The main take-aways are as follows:

1) Monomyth means the “one story." It's also known as the Hero's Journey (and loosely associated with the Fool's Journey). Elements of the monomyth can be found in nearly all forms of mythology and fairytales from around the world. 

2) The Hero's Journey is comprised of a three-act structure.
The three main phases (or acts, or stages, or major plot events--depending on what you're writing) are: 

--Separation (or Departure)
--Initiation (or Trials/Tests)
--Return 

Today we are exploring the second phase, Initiation. In particular, we are looking at the road of trials. 

Purpose:

In many ways, the road of trials is like school. The hero will learn several new lessons along the way. Each one is like a pop quiz that he will be tested on later in the journey. Each trial and obstacle acts as a test to prove to the audience whether the hero deserves the ultimate boon. Every obstacle and foe teaches the hero and his allies the right way to face problems, and thus develops the theme. 

This post is just to cover a small section of the Monomyth. Over the course of the next few months, Josh intends to provide several detailed explanations on the different aspects of the Hero’s Journey, and analyze more advanced steps in the narrative structure of the monomyth. 


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OR... read Josh's blog here: http://thepolymathman.blogspot.com/
And he has a book on military transitions here: http://www.amazon.com/About-Face-Josh...