THE MOST COMMON HEROES JOURNEY CHARACTERS1. HERO

The main character

Usually an average person that audience can identify with

Gain wisdom to overcome problems

Willing or Unwilling

Examples from film:

Luke Skywalker from Star Wars

What does a HERO look like?

2. HERALD

Changes the course of the story, gets the story rolling

Offers the hero a challenge

Examples from film: Professor Dumbledore from Harry Potter

What does a HERALD look like?

3. MENTOR

Wise old man or woman

Teach, train and protect heroes

Give them gifts and advice

A hero may have a number of mentors

Examples from film:

Gandalf from Lord of the Rings

What does a MENTOR look like?

4. THRESHOLD GUARDIANS

At each gateway to a new world the hero encounters guardians

They stop the hero from entering until he can prove his worth

Examples from film: Storm Troopers from Star Wars

What does a GUARDIAN look like?

5. TRICKSTER

Display mischief

Comic relief and comical side-kicks

Stir up trouble

Examples from film:

The Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz

What does a TRICKSTER look like?

6. SHAPESHIFTER

Figures who appear to constantly change from the hero’s point of view.

May mislead the hero, keep them guessing, their loyalty or sincerity is often in question

They shift into different roles at different times

Examples from film:

Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean

What does a SHAPESHIFTER look like?

7. SHADOW The ultimate evil character

Monsters, villains or a side of the hero themselves that they hide or struggle with

External shadows must be vanquished or destroyed

Internal ones can be disempowered by bringing them out into the light

Some can be redeemed and turned into positive forces

Examples from film: Voldemort from Harry Potter

What does a SHADOW look like?