Literary Archetypes

What is an archetype? An archetype is a term used to describe universal symbols that evoke deep and sometimes unconscious responses in a reader An archetype is a term used to describe universal symbols that evoke deep and sometimes unconscious responses in a reader In literature, characters, images, and themes that symbolically embody universal meanings and basic human experiences, regardless of when or where they live, are considered archetypes. In literature, characters, images, and themes that symbolically embody universal meanings and basic human experiences, regardless of when or where they live, are considered archetypes.

Common Character Archetypes The Hero: The courageous figure, the one who’s always running in and saving the day. The Hero: The courageous figure, the one who’s always running in and saving the day. The Outcast: The outcast is just that. He or she has been cast out of a society or has left it on a voluntary basis. The outcast figure can oftentimes be considered as a savior figure, or someone who stands alone to do the right thing. The Outcast: The outcast is just that. He or she has been cast out of a society or has left it on a voluntary basis. The outcast figure can oftentimes be considered as a savior figure, or someone who stands alone to do the right thing. (i.e. Simon in The Lord of the Flies) The Scapegoat: The scapegoat figure is one who gets blamed for everything, regardless of whether he/she is actually at fault. The Scapegoat: The scapegoat figure is one who gets blamed for everything, regardless of whether he/she is actually at fault. (i.e. Snowball in Animal Farm) The Star-Crossed Lovers: This is a young couple who seem “meant to be together,” though they can’t because of fate/circumstances. (i.e. Romeo and Juliet) The Star-Crossed Lovers: This is a young couple who seem “meant to be together,” though they can’t because of fate/circumstances. (i.e. Romeo and Juliet)

Common Character Archetypes The Mother: A nurturing, guiding force. A “life-giver,” where life may be literal, or referencing some sort of knowledge, opportunity, or power. The Mother: A nurturing, guiding force. A “life-giver,” where life may be literal, or referencing some sort of knowledge, opportunity, or power. The temptress: A woman figure who brings about the hero’s downfall because of his attraction to her. The temptress: A woman figure who brings about the hero’s downfall because of his attraction to her. The villain/embodiment of evil: The figure who is apt on getting in the hero’s way for malevolent purposes. The villain/embodiment of evil: The figure who is apt on getting in the hero’s way for malevolent purposes. The trickster: The character who uses cunning to either get their way or to mix-up other characters. Often more mischievous than evil. The trickster: The character who uses cunning to either get their way or to mix-up other characters. Often more mischievous than evil. The sage/mentor: The wise, old character who teaches the hero. The sage/mentor: The wise, old character who teaches the hero.

Situational Archetypes THE TASK—A situation in which a character, or group of characters, is driven to complete some duty often of monstrous proportion. (i.e. Frodo’s task to keep the ring safe in The Lord of the Rings) THE TASK—A situation in which a character, or group of characters, is driven to complete some duty often of monstrous proportion. (i.e. Frodo’s task to keep the ring safe in The Lord of the Rings) THE QUEST—Here, the character(s) are searching for something, whether consciously or unconsciously. Their actions, thoughts, and feelings center around the goal of completing the quest. (i.e. Shrek ) THE QUEST—Here, the character(s) are searching for something, whether consciously or unconsciously. Their actions, thoughts, and feelings center around the goal of completing the quest. (i.e. Shrek ) THE LOSS OF INNOCENCE—This is, as the name implies, a loss of innocence through sexual experience, violence, or any other means. THE LOSS OF INNOCENCE—This is, as the name implies, a loss of innocence through sexual experience, violence, or any other means. THE INITIATION—This is the process by which a character is brought into another sphere of influence, usually (in literature) into adulthood. THE INITIATION—This is the process by which a character is brought into another sphere of influence, usually (in literature) into adulthood.

Situational Archetypes THE JOURNEY—the hero goes in search of some truth or information to restore life to the kingdom; he must descend into a real or psychological hell and is forced to discover the blackest truths about himself (usually his faults); he must then decide to return to the world of the living; this could also appear as a group of isolated people (trapped on a boat, bus, island) to represent society THE JOURNEY—the hero goes in search of some truth or information to restore life to the kingdom; he must descend into a real or psychological hell and is forced to discover the blackest truths about himself (usually his faults); he must then decide to return to the world of the living; this could also appear as a group of isolated people (trapped on a boat, bus, island) to represent society THE UNHEALABLE WOUND—a wound that is either physical or psychological; it cannot be healed fully; indicates a loss of innocence; always aches and may drive the sufferer to desperate measures THE UNHEALABLE WOUND—a wound that is either physical or psychological; it cannot be healed fully; indicates a loss of innocence; always aches and may drive the sufferer to desperate measures THE RITUAL—actual ceremony that marks a new stage (rite of passage) in life (weddings, funerals, coronations) THE RITUAL—actual ceremony that marks a new stage (rite of passage) in life (weddings, funerals, coronations)

Situational Archetypes THE FALL—descent from a higher to a lower state of being; characters experience a loss of innocence and often experience an expulsion from a kind of paradise as a penalty for their disobedience and moral transgression THE FALL—descent from a higher to a lower state of being; characters experience a loss of innocence and often experience an expulsion from a kind of paradise as a penalty for their disobedience and moral transgression DEATH AND REBIRTH—deals with the similarities between the cycle of nature and life; morning and springtime represent birth, youth, or rebirth; evening and winter suggest old age or death DEATH AND REBIRTH—deals with the similarities between the cycle of nature and life; morning and springtime represent birth, youth, or rebirth; evening and winter suggest old age or death BATTLE BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL—good triumphs over evil despite great odds, keeping mankind hopeful (optimism) BATTLE BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL—good triumphs over evil despite great odds, keeping mankind hopeful (optimism)

Symbolic Archetypes THE CROSSROADS—A place or time of decision when a realization is made and change or penance results THE CROSSROADS—A place or time of decision when a realization is made and change or penance results THE MAZE—A puzzling dilemma or great uncertainty, search for the dangerous monster inside of oneself, or a journey into the heart of darkness. THE MAZE—A puzzling dilemma or great uncertainty, search for the dangerous monster inside of oneself, or a journey into the heart of darkness. THE CASTLE—A strong place of safety which holds treasure or princess, may be enchanted or bewitched. THE CASTLE—A strong place of safety which holds treasure or princess, may be enchanted or bewitched. THE TOWER—A strong place of evil; represents the isolation of self THE TOWER—A strong place of evil; represents the isolation of self

Symbolic Archetypes NATURE vs. MECHANISTIC WORLD—nature is good while technology and society are often evil NATURE vs. MECHANISTIC WORLD—nature is good while technology and society are often evil HAVEN VS. WILDERNESS—for the hero, places of safety are required for time to regain health and resources; these hideouts are often in unusual places HAVEN VS. WILDERNESS—for the hero, places of safety are required for time to regain health and resources; these hideouts are often in unusual places INNATE WISDOM VS EDUCATED STUPIDITY—uneducated characters can often be wise using their common sense while some very educated characters have no common sense INNATE WISDOM VS EDUCATED STUPIDITY—uneducated characters can often be wise using their common sense while some very educated characters have no common sense

Common Image Archetypes Certain images that recur in myths and other genres of literature often have a common meaning or tend to elicit comparable psychological responses and to serve similar cultural functions. Certain images that recur in myths and other genres of literature often have a common meaning or tend to elicit comparable psychological responses and to serve similar cultural functions.

Water a symbol of life, cleansing, and rebirth— represents the mystery of creation a symbol of life, cleansing, and rebirth— represents the mystery of creationExamples: Sea—spiritual mystery and infinity; timelessness and eternity River—death / rebirth (baptism), flowing of time into eternity, transitional phases of the life cycle

Sun Represents energy, creativity, thinking, enlightenment, wisdom, spiritual vision, the passing of time, and life Represents energy, creativity, thinking, enlightenment, wisdom, spiritual vision, the passing of time, and lifeExamples: Rising Sun—Birth and Creation Setting Sun—Death

Fire vs. Ice Fire can represent knowledge, light, life, and rebirth Fire can represent knowledge, light, life, and rebirth Ice can represent ignorance, darkness, sterility, and death Ice can represent ignorance, darkness, sterility, and death

Light vs. Darkness Light suggests hope, renewal, or intellectual illumination Light suggests hope, renewal, or intellectual illumination Darkness suggests the unknown, ignorance, or despair. Darkness suggests the unknown, ignorance, or despair.

Colors Red—love, sacrifice, hate, evil, anger, violent passion, sin, blood, disorder Red—love, sacrifice, hate, evil, anger, violent passion, sin, blood, disorder Green—birth / death, fertility, luck, hope, jealousy, decay, greed Green—birth / death, fertility, luck, hope, jealousy, decay, greed Blue—sadness, spiritual purity, truth, religious feelings of security Blue—sadness, spiritual purity, truth, religious feelings of security Black—power, doom, death, darkness, mystery, primal wisdom, unconscious evil Black—power, doom, death, darkness, mystery, primal wisdom, unconscious evil White—purity, innocence, death, terror, supernatural, blinding truth White—purity, innocence, death, terror, supernatural, blinding truth

Animals Snake (serpent, worm)—evil, corruption, sensuality, destruction, wisdom, temptation Snake (serpent, worm)—evil, corruption, sensuality, destruction, wisdom, temptation Dark-colored bird (raven, hawk)—death, hate, corruption Dark-colored bird (raven, hawk)—death, hate, corruption Light-colored bird (dove)—peace, love, life Light-colored bird (dove)—peace, love, life

Numbers Three (3)—represents unity, spiritual awareness, and light Three (3)—represents unity, spiritual awareness, and light Four (4)—cycle of life, (earth, water, fire, air) nature Four (4)—cycle of life, (earth, water, fire, air) nature Seven (7)—unity between 3 and 4, completion and perfect order Seven (7)—unity between 3 and 4, completion and perfect order