Final answer:
In the motif "the hero's cycle," which follows the pattern of Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey, the hero typically embarks on a quest or challenge. Therefore, the correct option in relation to the motif is c) The hero pursues a quest or a challenge and sets out to fulfill it.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Hero's Cycle Motif
When examining the motif "the hero's cycle", a well-known model that is often followed in literature and storytelling is Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey, also known as the Monomyth. This motif involves a pattern where the hero or protagonist goes through a series of stages that typically start with the hero in their ordinary world. The hero then receives a call to adventure, which they initially may refuse but eventually, they cross the threshold into the unfamiliar, where tests, allies, and enemies await. The hero ultimately undergoes a central ordeal, receives a reward, and must return to their ordinary world, having changed or transformed in some significant way.
Based on the options provided in the question:
(a) The hero does not leave the comfort of his or her home: This is generally not accurate in the hero's cycle, as leaving the familiar is a common aspect.
(b) The hero announces the onset of some calamity: While a hero may warn others, this is not a defining feature of the hero's cycle.
(c) The hero pursues a quest or a challenge and sets out to fulfill it: This option is accurate. It exemplifies the action and commitment seen in the hero's journey.
(d) The hero adds to the comic relief in the storyline: Comic relief may be a part of the story, but it is not a characteristic of the hero in the hero's journey.
The correct option, representing what holds true in the hero's cycle motif, is c) The hero pursues a quest or a challenge and sets out to fulfill it.