188 Stage Heros Journey (monomyth) - Middle Cave, Outer Cave

Posted on April 21, 2008

FORWARD

Kal Bishop’s 188 stage Hero’s Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template. Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.
[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].

THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY

METAPHORS

To truly understand and apply the Hero’s Journey, you must understand that the terminology is metaphoric as well as, sometimes, literal.

For example:

From the fairytales you are aware of, you recognise that “a Hero often battles a Dragon before seizing a Treasure.”

In a literal sense, this would be responsible for stories such as Eragon (2006), where a Hero literally battles a dragon.

But in a metaphoric sense, the “Dragon” is an obstacle to the “Treasure,” which is something the Hero values.

For example, In When Harry met Sally (1989), Harry must help Sally get over her ex-boyfriend before he is able to kiss and bed her.

(For the Complete 188+ stage Hero’s Journey simply go to http://www.heros-journey.info/ )

ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:

*****Middle Cave*****

It is in the Middle Cave of the First Threshold that Allies and Enemies are met. Of (usually) critical importance is the Shape Shifter, who often has a critical competency and is necessary. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), the gas pump attendant knows all about automobiles.

***Outer Cave***

The Hero et al arrive in the outer part of the Cave. Again, certain characteristics are common.
New World. Just as the First Threshold is a New World, so the Cave is itself a distinct World within the First Threshold. In Superman (1978), Clarke’s school is a sub-domain of Kansas.
New Creatures and Behaviours. Just as the Hero et al encounter unfamiliar creatures and behaviours in the First Threshold, so they encounter even odder ones in the Outer Cave.

Learn more…

WRITE THAT SCREENPLAY!

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.heros-journey.info/

188 stages of the Hero’s Journey can also be reached from http://www.story-structure.org/

You can also receive a free sample file by entering your email address at this site.

You can post this article on your web site or blog as long as no changes are made, the author’s name is retained and the links to our site URLs remains active.

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Kal Bishop, MBA

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