Who Is Santiago A Hero In The Alchemist

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The novel “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho is a story about a young shepherd named Santiago, who had to take a hero’s journey to realize his personal legend. First he was called to adventure when he had the same recurring dream. This call to adventure brought him to meet many new people that were either helpful or a set back. An old king was the first mentor that gave him knowledge and the courage to follow his dream. The young shepherd crosses the the threshold when he sells his sheep and goes to africa. He faced many trials and temptations through this hero's journey. There was also a point in which he was thinking of giving it all up a returning home. He overcame this and transformed into a better person. In the end he finally realises his …show more content…

One influential mentor to Santiago was the old king who encouraged him to go on his journey and gave him knowledge. “When you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it” (pg.62) this was the knowledge the old king gave him before his journey. Santiago is convinced by the king to pursue his personal legend, because the king gives him knowledge about the way he should view his dreams. To Santiago the old king’s wise word had a great impact on his decisions and influenced the actions he made throughout the rest of his journey. Santiago faces many challenges that set him back, but he must over come them to reach his personal legend. For Santiago leaving Fatima and the oasis was a challenge, and staying was a temptation. He overcame this challenge and temptation when his second mentor, the alchemist, said to him “ she knows that men have to go away in order to return… Now she expects that you will find what it is you're looking for”. At first the thought of leaving Fatima was something Santiago did not want, because he feared he would never see her again if he left. The alchemist changed his mind

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