What is a hero's quest? Check out this video for more information about the genre and ten steps that a hero must take.
Below, you can find examples of the hero's quest in The Adventures of Ulysses.
Step 1: The Ordinary World - Ulysses is sailing home with his crew. He spots a city and they decide to attack it, to no avail. Poseidon becomes angry and sends them to Libya.
Step 2: The Call to Adventure - In Libya, Morpheus gives Ulysses dreams of what is to come.
Step 3: Refusal of the Call - Although Ulysses accepted his fate, despite what will and has happened to him, he is hesitant to press on at times, especially when he is confronted with the wandering rocks, in the chapter of the same name.
Step 4: Accepting the Call - Despite the many dangers Ulysses faces, and every obstacle of every form he must overcome, Ulysses remains acceptant of his duty, and desires only to return home. He will accept any obstacle, even should it be his demise. A specific example of this cannot be pinpointed, as it is seen in every chapter.
Step 5: Entering the Unknown - When entering Tartarus, or the Land of the Dead, Ulysses had no notion of what may have lay in wait, yet he and his crew journeyed onward. When caught in thick fog, the next oar stroke in itself was unknown, yet a way of travel was eventually found. In facing the unknown, Ulysses remains calm and does his best in order to proceed. Although the greatest example can be found within "The Land of the Dead," there are situations similar throughout the entirety of the story.
Step 6: Supernatural Aid & Magical Item(s) - While being attacked by Poseidon's storm and facing a watery grave, Ulysses is aided by Ino, a naiad or daughter of Poseidon himself. After being injured (for an unknown reason) she wishes to exact revenge on the sea god, and she does so in giving Ulysses her veil, a magical garment allowing the wearer to swim without fear of drowning, or growing tired, for that matter. He easily escapes the storm, and swims off into the distance.
Step 7: Aid from Friends - Along his journey, Ulysses is faced by many dangers of which he cannot overcome by his lonesome. Especially in the chapter "The Sirens," When Ulysses desires to hear the song of the Sirens and retain his life, he calls upon the crew by trusting them, and at the same time hoping for their ignoring him. In plugging their ears with beeswax, Ulysses expects them not to hear the Siren's song. He entrusted Eurylochus, in addition, to restrain him regardless of his cries. Thankfully, the crew returns said trust, and Ulysses remains chained to the mast until the song of the Sirens' is far out of reach.
Step 8: Steps to Prove Worthiness - Ulysses's journey, in its entirety, from Ithaca to Troy and back, is a test of his worthiness. In "The Ciconians," Ulysses and his men are tested in strength and reasoning, whether or not to attack the small city or let go of their warlike nature. In "The Lotus-Eaters," Ulysses is tested through struggle and torment, trying his will to continue after seeing visions of death and destruction. In "The Cyclops' Cave," Ulysses's strategy is tested, and later his arrogance, when he reveals himself to the monster. In "The Keeper of the Winds," Ulysses's trust in his crew is tested when he neglects to inform them of the bag's contents. In "Cannibal Beach," Ulysses is tested mentally, when he is left with only a single crew, and struggles to make occasional landfall. In "Circe," Ulysses is tested through his determination, and must fight his will in order to leave the sorceress's island. In "The Land of the Dead," Ulysses must face his fears if he is to enter and exit Tartarus unscathed, facing his past and preparing for the future. In "The Wandering Rocks," Ulysses must accept that he is to follow the way of the gods if he is to proceed, no matter what advantage they may have over him. In "Scylla and Charybdis," Ulysses must keep stable a jeering ship as well as his nerves if he is to navigate through the narrow channel. In "The Cattle of the Sun," Ulysses must remain strong, attempting to govern his starving crew while preventing himself from eating the cattle as well. In "Calypso," Ulysses must face a similar challenge to Circe's island, where he must choose between his family and eternal life. In "Ino's Veil," Ulysses must survive a raging storm provided by Poseidon, who may never respect the king. In "Nausicaa," Ulysses must relive his journeys, retold in song by Nausicaa, and remain anonymous through them, holding back his feelings. Finally, in "The Return," Ulysses must retake his throne as true king of Ithaca, driving away the suitors that have tormented the land for decades.
Step 9: Reward & Journey Home: - Assuming that Ulysses had received his reward prior to the story's first chapter, his journey home constituted the entirety of the story. From his departure from Troy, he carried the reward of victory, and many fine stories to tell, however did not return home until far later, in the story's conclusion. This is much unlike J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit," In which the protagonist still must make a return journey, yet is far more anticlimactic.
Step 10: Order and Power is Restored - Finally, after Ulysses returns home, he is faced with scores of suitors, all of whom wish to usurp his throne. However, Ulysses has plans otherwise, and in "The Return," Ulysses appears firstly as a beggar, weak and humble, before emerging as a king and slaying the unjust men who have disrespected his kingdom. He reunites with his wife and son, who rule the kingdom as it should be, as a ship with a hero at its helm.
Step 2: The Call to Adventure - In Libya, Morpheus gives Ulysses dreams of what is to come.
Step 3: Refusal of the Call - Although Ulysses accepted his fate, despite what will and has happened to him, he is hesitant to press on at times, especially when he is confronted with the wandering rocks, in the chapter of the same name.
Step 4: Accepting the Call - Despite the many dangers Ulysses faces, and every obstacle of every form he must overcome, Ulysses remains acceptant of his duty, and desires only to return home. He will accept any obstacle, even should it be his demise. A specific example of this cannot be pinpointed, as it is seen in every chapter.
Step 5: Entering the Unknown - When entering Tartarus, or the Land of the Dead, Ulysses had no notion of what may have lay in wait, yet he and his crew journeyed onward. When caught in thick fog, the next oar stroke in itself was unknown, yet a way of travel was eventually found. In facing the unknown, Ulysses remains calm and does his best in order to proceed. Although the greatest example can be found within "The Land of the Dead," there are situations similar throughout the entirety of the story.
Step 6: Supernatural Aid & Magical Item(s) - While being attacked by Poseidon's storm and facing a watery grave, Ulysses is aided by Ino, a naiad or daughter of Poseidon himself. After being injured (for an unknown reason) she wishes to exact revenge on the sea god, and she does so in giving Ulysses her veil, a magical garment allowing the wearer to swim without fear of drowning, or growing tired, for that matter. He easily escapes the storm, and swims off into the distance.
Step 7: Aid from Friends - Along his journey, Ulysses is faced by many dangers of which he cannot overcome by his lonesome. Especially in the chapter "The Sirens," When Ulysses desires to hear the song of the Sirens and retain his life, he calls upon the crew by trusting them, and at the same time hoping for their ignoring him. In plugging their ears with beeswax, Ulysses expects them not to hear the Siren's song. He entrusted Eurylochus, in addition, to restrain him regardless of his cries. Thankfully, the crew returns said trust, and Ulysses remains chained to the mast until the song of the Sirens' is far out of reach.
Step 8: Steps to Prove Worthiness - Ulysses's journey, in its entirety, from Ithaca to Troy and back, is a test of his worthiness. In "The Ciconians," Ulysses and his men are tested in strength and reasoning, whether or not to attack the small city or let go of their warlike nature. In "The Lotus-Eaters," Ulysses is tested through struggle and torment, trying his will to continue after seeing visions of death and destruction. In "The Cyclops' Cave," Ulysses's strategy is tested, and later his arrogance, when he reveals himself to the monster. In "The Keeper of the Winds," Ulysses's trust in his crew is tested when he neglects to inform them of the bag's contents. In "Cannibal Beach," Ulysses is tested mentally, when he is left with only a single crew, and struggles to make occasional landfall. In "Circe," Ulysses is tested through his determination, and must fight his will in order to leave the sorceress's island. In "The Land of the Dead," Ulysses must face his fears if he is to enter and exit Tartarus unscathed, facing his past and preparing for the future. In "The Wandering Rocks," Ulysses must accept that he is to follow the way of the gods if he is to proceed, no matter what advantage they may have over him. In "Scylla and Charybdis," Ulysses must keep stable a jeering ship as well as his nerves if he is to navigate through the narrow channel. In "The Cattle of the Sun," Ulysses must remain strong, attempting to govern his starving crew while preventing himself from eating the cattle as well. In "Calypso," Ulysses must face a similar challenge to Circe's island, where he must choose between his family and eternal life. In "Ino's Veil," Ulysses must survive a raging storm provided by Poseidon, who may never respect the king. In "Nausicaa," Ulysses must relive his journeys, retold in song by Nausicaa, and remain anonymous through them, holding back his feelings. Finally, in "The Return," Ulysses must retake his throne as true king of Ithaca, driving away the suitors that have tormented the land for decades.
Step 9: Reward & Journey Home: - Assuming that Ulysses had received his reward prior to the story's first chapter, his journey home constituted the entirety of the story. From his departure from Troy, he carried the reward of victory, and many fine stories to tell, however did not return home until far later, in the story's conclusion. This is much unlike J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit," In which the protagonist still must make a return journey, yet is far more anticlimactic.
Step 10: Order and Power is Restored - Finally, after Ulysses returns home, he is faced with scores of suitors, all of whom wish to usurp his throne. However, Ulysses has plans otherwise, and in "The Return," Ulysses appears firstly as a beggar, weak and humble, before emerging as a king and slaying the unjust men who have disrespected his kingdom. He reunites with his wife and son, who rule the kingdom as it should be, as a ship with a hero at its helm.