What are the characteristics of an archetypal hero?

The archetypal hero appears in all religions, mythologies, and epics of the world. He is an expression of our personal and collective unconscious, as theorized by Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell (see below). All archetypal heroes share certain characteristics. This fact has only come to light this century, after people like Joseph Campbell began comparing mythologies of the world. Click on a link to see how the heroes above fit the traits of a hero.

• Unusual circumstances of birth; sometimes in danger or born into royalty
• Leaves family or land and lives with others
• An event, sometimes traumatic, leads to adventure or quest
• Hero has a special weapon only he can wield
• Hero always has supernatural help
• The Hero must prove himself many times while on adventure
• The Journey and the Unhealable Wound
• Hero experiences atonement with the father
• When the hero dies, he is rewarded spiritually