This stage of the monomyth often involves a swift escape from danger following the climax of the hero’s adventure. Having faced a major ordeal and obtained their reward or achieved their goal, the hero must now return to the ordinary world. This return is not always easy and can involve pursuit by vengeful enemies, guardians of the threshold, or the unraveling of the special world the hero has just left. This escape can take a literal form, such as fleeing a collapsing temple, or a more metaphorical one, like a sudden realization that allows the hero to escape a mental or emotional trap. Examples include Odysseus’s perilous sea voyage home after blinding Polyphemus or Persephone’s annual return to the world of the living from the underworld.
This stage signifies a transition and often involves a chase, the hero carrying a prize or newfound wisdom back to the ordinary world. It serves as a bridge between the climax and the hero’s eventual return, highlighting the challenges and dangers that persist even after the primary conflict has been resolved. Historically, this trope reflects common anxieties surrounding change and the integration of new knowledge or experience into existing societal structures. It underscores the idea that true heroism involves not only conquering external foes but also navigating the aftermath of victory.
