You’ve read about George Lucas’s use of Joseph Campbell’s Monomyth found in his 1949 book, A Hero with a Thousand Faces, which is a common narrative pattern found in many stories from many different cultures worldwide. This narrative journey typically involves several character archetypes that affect the hero’s journey from beginning to end.

After the successful debut of Star Wars and Lucas’s discussions on using Campbell’s work as inspiration for his space opera, many producers, development executives, filmmakers, and screenwriters have explored the Monomyth with deeper and simplified approaches.

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Christopher Vogler's Interpretation of the Hero's Journey

When Christopher Vogler, a development executive and screenwriter at Disney, was inspired by Joseph Campbell's concept of the story monomyth, he crafted a seven-page memo for Disney's development team and incoming screenwriters.

This memo, A Practical Guide to Joseph Cambell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces, laid the groundwork for what would later become Vogler's 1992 book, The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Storytellers and Screenwriters. In this book, Vogler expanded upon Campbell’s ideas.

He adapted Campbell's mythical story structure into twelve distinct stages (from Campbell’s initial seventeen). Our concise interpretations of these stages include:

1. The Ordinary World: We see the hero's normal life at the start of the story before the adventure begins.
2. Call to Adventure: The hero faces an event, conflict, problem, or challenge that makes them begin their adventure.
3. Refusal of the Call: The hero initially refuses the adventure because of hesitation, fear, insecurity, or any other issues.
4. Meeting the Mentor: The hero encounters a mentor who can give them advice, wisdom, information, or items that ready them for the journey ahead.
5. Crossing the Threshold: The hero leaves their ordinary world for the first time and crosses the threshold into adventure.
6. Tests, Allies, and Enemies: The hero learns the rules of the new world and endures tests, meets friends, and comes face-to-face with enemies.
7. The Approach: The initial plan to take on the central conflict begins, but setbacks cause the hero to try a new approach or adopt new ideas.
8. The Ordeal: Things go wrong, and added conflict is introduced. The hero experiences more difficult hurdles and obstacles, some of which may lead to a life crisis.
9. The Reward: After surviving The Ordeal, the hero seizes the sword — a reward that they've earned that allows them to take on the biggest conflict. It may be a physical item or piece of knowledge or wisdom that will help them persevere.
10. The Road Back: The hero sees the light at the end of the tunnel, but they are about to face even more tests and challenges.
11. The Resurrection: The climax. The hero faces a final test, using everything they have learned to take on the conflict once and for all.
12. The Return: The hero brings their knowledge or the "elixir" back to the ordinary world.

Within these stages are character archetypes that help to shape the hero’s journey, and their eventual character arc throughout the story.

Read More: Exploring the Twelve Stages of the Hero’s Journey

'Tron: Legacy' (2010)

What Are Character Archetypes?

A character archetype is a common recurring representation of a character that embodies a set of universal and recognizable traits or characteristics. These archetypes are seen throughout literature, film, and other storytelling mediums—and they resonate with audiences because they are based on common human experiences or cultural norms.

Archetypes work well because they are instantly recognizable to readers and audiences. For writers, character archetypes can be adapted and molded with ease during character development.

Character archetypes are not specific characters in a story but rather broad categories or templates that individual characters can be based on or inspired by. They represent typical roles characters play in the narrative, and their actions and motivations are often predictable based on the archetype they represent.

However, writers can also choose to subvert those expectations to create a more dynamic character, as well as introduce much-needed twists and turns within the story.

Read More: 10 Character Archetypes in Comedies

'The Goonies' (1950)

The benefits of using character archetypes include:

• Universality: Archetypes are universally understood and have similar meanings across cultures and historical contexts. This can especially help in the cinematic realm as movies are released in multiple countries and languages.
• Symbolism: These character traits can symbolize a particular aspect of human experience or life. Once again, symbolism is identifiable across many cultures.
• Predictability: Because they are based on common patterns, their behaviors and roles in stories can often be anticipated. Because of that anticipation, writers can choose between subverting those expectations or using the predictability of the archetypes to service the story and protagonist with ease.  
• Variability: While archetypes are typical patterns, they allow for variations and depth, meaning a single archetype can manifest in different ways across various stories, allowing writers can adapt these traits to any character. 

Character archetypes can be used as tools to tell a compelling and universal story. 

'Finding Nemo' (2003)

What Are the Character Archetypes in the Hero's Journey?

Many archetypes in the hero's journey—the threshold guardian, the herald, the shapeshifter, the trickster, the ally, and the tempter/temptress—are more defined in later interpretations and expansions of Campbell's work. People like Vogler applied his theories to modern storytelling so writers, readers, and audiences could more easily understand the dynamics of Campbell’s monomyth.

Here, we’ll break down the main character archetypes in the hero's journey utilized in  Campbell’s Monomyth and Vogler’s expanded breakdowns and interpretations. 

The Hero

The hero is the central figure of the story (protagonist) who undergoes a journey, facing challenges and transformations. The hero often starts as an ordinary person who is then called to adventure. They are present throughout the entire journey, from the ordinary world to the return with newfound knowledge or power.

Luke Skywalker (Star Wars), Indiana Jones (Raiders of the Lost Arc), Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games), Barbie (Barbie), and Harry Potter (the Harry Potter series) are perfect examples of the hero character archetypes. You can include any protagonist within a story that goes on a physical or emotional journey.

As mentioned above, the hero in the hero’s journey usually begins their adventure within their ordinary world. This offers readers and audiences the chance to relate to the protagonist, empathize with their plight, and see the beginning of their character arc. 

Read More: Why the 'Barbie' Movie is the Perfect Example of the Hero’s Journey

The Shadow

The shadow is the main antagonist of the story. The shadow reflects the darker aspects of the hero, sometimes represented as the mirror image (opposite) of the hero and their beliefs. Overall, they are the antagonist or villains present throughout the whole story in varied ways. 

Read More: 15 Types of Villains Screenwriters Need to Know 

The shadow can also be represented in metaphorical terms. If a story’s hero journey is the protagonist dealing with alcoholism or addiction, those vices can serve as the shadow/antagonist/villain.

The quintessential shadows in cinema include characters like Darth Vader (Star Wars), Voldemort (the Harry Potter series), and Sauron (The Lord of the Rings series). But you can also find a less villainous shadow that takes on a lighter antagonistic role without purely evil intentions.

A perfect example of that would be Principal Rooney in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. He doesn’t have evil intentions like a villain does. However, he is the shadow or mirror image of Ferris Bueller. Ferris believes in freedom an expression. Rooney believes in order and control of others.

'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' (1986)

The Mentor

This character serves as a guide or teacher to the hero, providing them with advice, training, or magical assistance. The mentor is often a wise or experienced figure, although there have been literary and cinematic variances.

Look no further than the likes of Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars), Yoda (The Empire Strikes Back), Mr. Miyagi (The Karate Kid), and Gandalf (The Lord of the Rings series) as core examples of the mentor.

'The Karate Kid' (1984)

The Ally

Allies are friends or companions who support and accompany the hero through their journey. They often complement the hero's skills and help them face challenges.

In Star Wars, the allies of Luke Skywalker include Han Solo, Chewbacca, and the droids. In The Lord of the Rings series, the fellowship companions of Frodo encompass this character archetype. You can also look to any sidekick-type character as the perfect example of an ally:

• Goose in Top Gun
• Patrick in Spongebob Squarepants
• Ron in Harry Potter
• Billy in Big
• Julie in Lady Bird
• Rod in Get Out
• Ned in the Spider-Man movies
• Sam in The Lord of the Rings
• Short Round in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Allies can also be characters who aren’t as close to the hero but offer some type of help along the way.

'Lady Bird' (2017)

The Threshold Guardian

These characters serve as obstacles the hero must overcome or circumvent on their journey. They are not always enemies but are present within the story to test the hero and give them the belief and ability to continue on their adventure.

Little John in the Robin Hood stories is initially the threshold guardian of the Sherwood Forest. 

He eventually becomes an ally to Robin. But he’s initially a threshold guardian. 

You can turn to Monthy Python and the Holy Grail as well. The Black Knight isn’t necessarily King Arthur’s foe. However, he’s there to defend the bridge at all costs.

 The Herald

The herald is the character that initiates the call to adventure, pushing the hero to action, or providing the news or event that triggers their journey.

In Star Wars, R2-D2 is the herald of Luke’s journey because he delivers the message from Princess Leia to him. If Luke doesn’t see that message, he doesn’t show it to Obi-Wan Kenobi. And if Obi-Wan doesn’t see that message, he doesn’t convince Luke to come with him to join the Rebellion. 

In Barbie, Weird Barbie is the one who tells Barbie the truth about what she is going through and what she must do to seek out the answers she needs. 

The herald can be a major character, a supporting character, or even a minor character. In The Lord of the Rings, Gandalf is both mentor and herald, as he is the one who appears to Frodo, telling him he must bring the ring to Mordor. 

The Shapeshifter

This archetype's loyalty and role are often unclear, and they can serve as an ally or an enemy to the hero. Sometimes both. Their unpredictable nature adds complexity to the story, usually resulting in twists and turns within the plot.

Snape in the Harry Potter series is one of the greatest shapeshifters in literature and film. His motives are unknown, mistaken, and hidden. He acts as both a shadow to Harry and later an ally.

Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean series is another great example, embodying the role of an unpredictable ally whose loyalty is often questionable. Yes, he can be looked upon as an antihero protagonist of the movie. However, the clear hero of the story is Will.

'Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl' (2003)

The Trickster

The trickster usually adds levity to the story through comic relief. They can be allies or enemies, but typically they cause trouble for both.

Jack Sparrow falls under this character archetype as well. But a better example may be Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. He embodies the definition of a trickster. He brings more comic relief to the movies after his initial first appearance in Thor.

Perhaps the better example would be Genie in Disney's Aladdin. He uses his powers for humorous and unexpected effects, often bending the rules and adding a lighthearted element to the story.

Tempter/Temptress

This archetype can be of any gender and represents temptation or distraction that diverts the hero from their path.

Catwoman in the Batman movies often plays the role of a temptress to Batman, combining allure with a morally ambiguous character.

Many of the Bond Girls in the James Bond films serve as temptresses, combining allure and mystery and often leading Bond into dangerous situations.

The Indiana Jones variation would be Elsa from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. 

One of the best examples of the Tempter playing a more pivotal role in the story is Avery Tolar in The Firm. He’s a senior partner at the law firm Bendini, Lambert & Locke. His role is crucial in seducing the protagonist, Mitch McDeere, into the luxurious and corrupt world of the law firm.

He has a charismatic and persuasive personality. He mentors Mitch and exposes him to the high-stakes, high-reward lifestyle that the firm offers, including wealth, prestige, and power. Tolar's character is complex. He is a nuanced character who embodies the charm and allure that the firm uses to entice and trap its young associates.

His influence on Mitch is significant, as he represents the allure of success and the moral compromises that often accompany it. Tolar's character effectively demonstrates how the tempter archetype can be used to explore themes of corruption, temptation, and ethical dilemmas in a narrative.

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The character archetypes found within the hero’s journey offer writers the ability to take universal character templates and mold them to fit into stories that embrace the monomyth structure or use it as a starting point to tell a compelling and engaging story. 

Use them in whatever way you’d like. They can encompass the more traditional definition within your story, or you can use these archetypes to set up expectations and later subvert those expectations to create a more enthralling and surprising plot.

Read More: Is Joseph Campbell's "The Hero's Journey" Dead in Screenwriting Today?

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Ken Miyamoto has worked in the film industry for nearly two decades, most notably as a studio liaison for Sony Studios and then as a script reader and story analyst for Sony Pictures.

He has many studio meetings under his belt as a produced screenwriter, meeting with the likes of Sony, Dreamworks, Universal, Disney, Warner Brothers, as well as many production and management companies. He has had a previous development deal with Lionsgate, as well as multiple writing assignments, including the produced miniseries Blackout, starring Anne Heche, Sean Patrick Flanery, Billy Zane, James Brolin, Haylie Duff, Brian Bloom, Eric La Salle, and Bruce Boxleitner, the feature thriller Hunter’s Creed, and many Lifetime thrillers. Follow Ken on Twitter @KenMovies and Instagram @KenMovies76