Quest Worksheets

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

In literature the fictional quest genre is one of the most engaging for readers because it follows the epic adventure of someone attempting to achieve a goal. Naturally these types of narratives tend to gravitate towards following a hero and a series of villains that attempt to impede their ability to complete this task. These types of stories tend to have a great deal of character portrayal centered around the main hero. They often explore their strengths, weaknesses, fortitude, and inner struggles. The popularity of quest often depends heavily on the setting that the author chooses to position the tale in. These worksheets will help students better understand the nature of this genre of literature.

Quest Worksheets To Print:

Concept Exploration - What is the significance of the quest as a literary device?

Fill Ins - Use the context to properly place each of these words in the sentences.

True or False - Example question: True or False - Quests frequently appear in medieval romance, folklore, Greek and Roman mythology, and English language fiction.

Shrek - We explore a well known story that eases students into talking about this type of literature.

Lord of the Rings - How does the heroic protagonist of this story differ from the typical quest of literary tradition?

Reading and Watching - Think of a book you have read or a movie you have seen that centered around a this genre.

In Lighten Me - This can help you pick apart something that you are reading in school or at home.

The Protagonist - We explore all the angles of charcaters that fit this role.

Exploring Essay - Why is this concept a valuable plot device for fiction authors?

Concept Breakdown - this can be put in play to help you review this concept with students.

Explain the Work - You will choose a traditional story and breakdown the elements found within it.

Epic - How do these concepts relate?

The Journey - We work on identifying where this starts and falls off within the story.

The Elements - We look at the highs and lows that you will find over the course of a text.

Pinpoint It - This is a great way to map out any story of your choice.

What Are the Common Steps Of A Hero's Quest In Literature?

John Campbell introduced a popular structure to describe a hero's journey in his book "The Hero with a Thousand Faces." According to that structure, there are twelve common steps of a hero's quest in literature.


1) The Ordinary World


This is the place where the brave main character belongs, where the story begins. The protagonist starts to feel like he lacks something, or something is taken away from them, signaling the beginning of a quest. The readers learn about the nature of the hero in his original setting.


2) The Call to Adventure


This step marks the beginning of the hero's quest. The quest may take the form of adventure, problem, or challenge. The protagonist receives a call to action by chance or blunder. For example, his family might be at risk, world peace might be in danger, or something similar.


3) The Refusal of the Call


Heroes do not necessarily jump on the first sign of a quest. They might feel reluctant and fearful about the adventures to come. This shows us that heroes are also humans who second guess their abilities to take on challenges.


4) Meeting with the Mentor


At this point, the protagonist needs someone to motivate, reassure, and prepare them for the journey. Therefore, a mentor enters the story to guide the hero and give them something to help them through the journey. All the doubts and fear of this character in the previous step disappear, and the hero becomes ready to start the quest.


5) Crossing the Threshold


This step marks the hero's entry into the special world. It is a completely unfamiliar place where the protagonist will face real challenges. He usually encounters a threshold guardian here. This step locks the hero's commitment to the quest.


6) Tests, Allies, and Enemies


The hero meets new people at this step, learns new rules, and faces different challenges. He will make new friends and enemies. Friends help them pass through different obstacles, and enemies thwart his progress. The readers get familiar with the protagonist's true characteristics as the story progresses.


7) Approach to the Innermost Cave


This step marks the hero's encounter with the main objective of the quest. This encounter might be an actual place where some physical danger lies, or an inner conflict emerges in the hero's mind.


8) The Supreme Ordeal


This is the most action-filled part of the story, where the protagonist faces the main challenge of his quest. They have to overcome this challenge to survive or protect his world. This challenge may be his greatest fear, an arch-enemy, or an inner conflict.


9) Reward, Or Seizing the Sword


This is where the character defeats the main enemy or overcomes the major challenge. The protagonist tastes the joy of victory; he emerges from the battlefield with a stronger character and the desired prize.


10) The Road Back


Time for the main character to face the consequences of the final battle! The remaining forces might try to stop them on his way back or plot revenge against them. Here, the hero's objective is to thwart those remaining forces and return to his home with the reward.


11) Resurrection


This step involves the final hurdle, the hero's last encounter with death. This is where the quest comes to fruition and transforms the character completely.


12) Return with the Elixir


The final step marks the hero's return to the Original World as a transformed man. Elixir refers to the treasure of wisdom, freedom, love, and knowledge that the protagonist gains during the quest.