Quests

Consider the great cultural and religious myths — the Mahabharata, Beowulf, the Epic of Gilgamesh, Faust, the Divine Comedy, King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table, the Odyssey, the Ring cycle — which feature a hero (I’m using the term to encompass men and women) who undertakes a journey to uncover a mystery, right a wrong, seek fame or fortune or happiness.

Now think of the classic films — Star Wars, The Wizard of Oz, Die Hard, Casablanca, Gone With the Wind — which explore similar “searching-for” dynamics.

Philosopher Joseph Campbell called these archetypal scenarios the Hero’s Journey. And I suggest they are as important to you and me as they are to Luke Skywalker or Dorothy from Kansas.