The Hero’s Journey: Disney’s Aladdin

The Ordinary World

Aladdin, the main character of the story, doesn’t feel like he fits in. He is often called a “street rat” and has to steal to survive. Everything around him is pretty ordinary. People work in the market and everyone seems happy. Aladdin knows there is more to him than what he has now, but how does he make people see that?

The Call to Adventure

One day, unfortunately, Aladdin is caught by the guards and is thrown in prison. He awaits execution. While in the cell, he meets a man who offers him whatever he wants, especially freedom, if he can get a lamp out of the “Cave of Wonders.”

Refusal of the Quest

Aladdin isn’t very comfortable helping this man and entering this strange place, but he knows it’s his only option if he wants his life to get better. The Cave of Wonders is intimidating and scary and Aladdin isn’t sure he can trust Jafar. In fact, if he refuses this journey, he knows that Jafar is not only a threat, but that he is sure to be killed by the Sultan and his guards.

Accepting the Call

Because he doesn’t really have much of a choice, Aladdin accepts. Besides, the offer seems pretty tempting. Aladdin bravely accepted the challenge – what else was he to do?

Entering the Unknown

Aladdin took a deep breath and began his journey…he enters a world like none he’s ever seen before. Aladdin sees riches beyond compare. Because he can’t keep his sidekick from resisting the temptations of the Cave of Wonders, they become trapped inside. Dangers lurk around every corner. Supernatural Aid

In the Cave of Wonders, Aladdin meets a flying carpet. This magical carpet helps him escape the cave as well as travel easily. This particular “friend” ends up helping him a lot throughout his journey and even rescues him in his time of need. Similarly, Aladdin receives a lot of help from a new friend, the Genie of the Lamp. Not only does he help Aladdin when he needs help, but he also offers him three wishes that come in handy along his journey.

Talisman

Not only does Aladdin end up getting help from these two magical friends, but obviously the lamp itself comes in handy to help him along the way. Not only does he receive wishes, but it eventually helps him to trap his nemesis, Jafar.

Allies/Helpers

Abu, his monkey friend, helps Aladdin get out of many fixes. He is truly his friend throughout his journey. Even though he can be troublesome at times, Abu sticks by Aladdin’s side even when Aladdin doesn’t always make the best decisions. Along the way, Aladdin also meets Princess Jasmine, whom he falls madly in love with. Because she wishes to escape her kingdom’s walls and ventures out, she meets Aladdin and their paths cross throughout.

Tests & The Supreme Ordeal

Aladdin is challenged throughout the story. He has to learn to be himself in a world that pressures him to be “better”. At times, he fails, and he even runs into trouble with the Sultan’s guards. He finds himself lying to Jasmine, lying to his friends, and even lying to himself. He loses the trust of the people closest to him and at times feels all alone. Eventually he stands up and chooses to rescue Princess Jasmine and her father from the clutches of the powerful Jafar, who has stolen the genie for his own evil wishes.

Reward and the Journey Home

With his quick wit and brave deeds, Aladdin rescues the Princess and defeats Jafar. He is rewarded with Jasmine’s hand in marriage and he is given more than he could have ever asked for. He is lucky to have a beautiful wife and loving friends.

Mastering of Two Worlds/Restoring the World

Once Jafar is trapped in the lamp and is defeated, the world returns to what it once was. The Sultan is no longer a puppet and Jasmine is freed from her services. They return to their throne and Agrabah is once again back to its original glory. Aladdin has come to grips with who he really is, the genie is freed from his slavery in the lamp, and everyone lives happily ever after.