Writing and Speaking > Writing > Heros Journey: Second Catharsis
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Article rating : 0.00, 0 votes. Author : Kal Bishop
The Hero's Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters:
The Hero's Journey:
• Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
• Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.
• Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.
The Hero's Journey is also a study of repeating patterns in successful stories and screenplays. It is compelling that screenwriters have a higher probability of producing quality work when they mirror the recurring patterns found in successful screenplays.
Consider this:
• Titanic (1997) grossed over $600,000,000 – uses the Hero's Journey as a template.
• Star Wars (1977) grossed over $460,000,000 - uses the Hero's Journey as a template.
• Shrek 2 (2004) grossed over $436,000,000 - uses the Hero's Journey as a template.
• ET (1982) grossed over $434,000,000 - uses the Hero's Journey as a template.
• Spiderman (2002) grossed over $432,000,000 - uses the Hero's Journey as a template.
• Out of Africa (1985), Terms of Endearment (1983), Dances with Wolves (1990), Gladiator (2000) – All Academy Award Winners Best Film are based on the Hero's Journey.
• Anti-hero stories (Raging Bull (1980), Goodfellas (1990) etc) are all based on the Hero's Journey.
• Heroine’s Journey stories (Million Dollar Baby (2004), Out of Africa (1980) etc) are all based on the Hero's Journey.
Hero's Journey - Second Catharsis
The penultimate stage of the standard Hero's Journey is the Master of the Two Worlds (detailed versions include the Afterlife etc...). This stage can also be called the Final Conflict as it is where the hero conquers his or her outer challenge.
The Outer Challenge is conquered in stages of, normally, three: the three
catharses. This process is more evident in straight good versus evil stories but can be spotted in other stories (Raging Bull, 1980).
The second catharsis occurs at that point when the antagonist lies defeated and, on some level, begs for mercy. It is here that the moral nature of the hero (or immoral nature of the antihero) kicks in. In the case of the moral hero, it is difficult for him or her to take life - the wizened hero knows the value of life.
However, this being a story, the audience expects a catharsis. And the antagonist provides it.
The antagonist is by nature evil and, even though he realises that he is being forgiven, deceives the hero in some way in order to destroy him.
The hero gets wind of this action before it is too late and if forced to end the antagonist's life.
For example, in Spiderman (2002), Peter Parker does not want to kill the Green Goblin but is forced to do so when the Green Goblin enacts the deception that will surely kill Peter.
Learn more…
The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and FREE 17 stage sample and other story structure templates can be found at http://managing-creativity.com/
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Kal Bishop, MBA
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You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author's name and site URL are retained.
Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at http://managing-creativity.com/
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