“Archetypes are repeated patterns that recur in the literature of every age” (Sloan 48).

What is an archetype? An archetype is a term used to describe universal symbols that evoke deep and sometimes unconscious responses in a reader In literature, they are characters, images, and themes that symbolically embody universal meanings and basic human experiences, regardless of when or where they live, are considered archetypes. Common literary archetypes include stories of quests, initiations, scapegoats, descents to the underworld, and ascents to heaven.

Primordial: That is, we, as individuals, have these archetypal images ingrained in our understanding even before we are born. Universal: These archetypes can be found all over the world and throughout history. The manifestation of the idea may be different, but the idea itself is the same. Archetypes are…

To explain natural phenomenon such as great floods and the creation of the world To answer such questions such as why we are born and why we die To help us escape reality by entering a world where the good guy wins, the forces of evil are defeated, and love conquers all To help define the roles of good and evil such as the hero and the villain so that we might recognize them in reality

There are several different types of archetypes: We will study the following three: Situational Symbolic Character You’ll often find several of these archetypes within one work.

What do you know? In the next slides, I’ll prove to you that archetypes are already part of your consciousness. The fact is, you already know the ending to many stories. You already know what symbolic archetypes mean. For example…

The movie opens…. the young, beautiful actress is on a tirade about how much she hates, and she means hates, detests, loathes and every other adjective in between, the new guy she works with (who happens to be drop dead good looking and single). He pokes fun at her and frequently stops by her desk. She fumes silently. She yells at him about how she can’t stand the sight of him. He laughs and says he can’t stand her either. What’s going to happen? How do you know this?

Situational Archetypes These are common situations, or plots, seen in literature, movies, television, etc. over and over throughout history and cultures. Chances are, if you’re watching a movie that follows one of these situational archetypes, you know what’s going to happen in the end when the movie is in the opening five minutes.

The movie opens on a dark, stormy night. There is no power in the house where the couple lives. What does this suggest? Why?

These are symbols (something which represents something else) that have occurred over and over again throughout time and in various different cultures. These symbols have always represented the same things; that is what makes them an archetype and what makes us recognize them as symbols when we see them. Symbolic Archetypes:

A young man appears onscreen. He is wearing black, tight, “skinny jeans,” has longish hair that he tucks behind his ears, wears converse sneakers and cool sunglasses, and is carrying a book. Who is this man? What does he like to do? What else do you already know about him?

Character Archetypes These are the “stereotype” characters that you see over and over again. You’ve seen these characters throughout different cultures and over different eras in history.

Examples of Situational Archetypes

THE JOURNEY— The hero goes in search of some truth or information to restore life to the kingdom. The quest involves proving himself, defending or saving someone or something, or finding something. There are several types of journeys the hero can take Identity Knowledge Vengeance to find the promised land journey for the grail (human perfection) The type of journey determines the type of hero.

Situational Archetypes The Loss of Innocence This is, as the name implies, a loss of innocence through sexual experience, violence, or any other means. This character is forced to deal with the “real world” and are forced from their innocence, and usually, their childhood. Ex. Bambi when his mother dies The Initiation This is the process by which a character is brought into another sphere of influence, usually (in literature) into adulthood. Ex. Jem and Scott in To Kill a Mockingbird

Quest are searching for something, whether consciously or unconsciously. Their actions, thoughts, and feelings center around the goal of completing the quest. example – Odysseus’ search for home Task A situation in which a character, or group of characters, is driven to complete some duty often of monstrous proportion. example --Frodo’s task to keep the ring safe in The Lord of the Rings

Fall describes a descent, usually of a hero, from a higher to a lower state of being usually involves spiritual defilement and/or loss of innocence also involves an expulsion from some kind paradise example - Adam and Eve Night journey descent into earth followed by a return to light usually, knowledge has been gained through the experience example - Orpheus

Examples of Symbolic Archetypes

Water a symbol of life, cleansing, and rebirth—represents the mystery of creation Examples: 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 Examples: Rising Sun—Birth and Creation Setting Sun—death

Colors Red—love, sacrifice, hate, evil, anger, violent passion, sin, blood, disorder Green—birth / death, fertility, luck, hope, jealousy, decay, greed 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

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

Mountains and peaks Highest peak is place to “see” far Place to gain great insight Caves and tunnels Deep down where character delves into self Place that character goes when “invisible” or inactive At the extreme may signify death

Examples of Character Archetypes

Common Character Archetypes The Star-Crossed Lovers This is the young couple joined by love but unexpectedly parted by fate. example - Romeo and Juliet The great teacher/mentor wise old man represents knowledge, wisdom, spirituality of soul, insight protects or helps main character when he or she faces challenges. example – Dumbledore

Hero The main character leaves his or her community to go on an adventure, performing deeds that bring honor to the community examples – Odysseus Devil figure offers worldly goods, fame, offers knowledge to the protagonist in exchange for possession of his soul examples - Lucifer, Satan Villain a cruelly malicious person who is involved in or devoted to wickedness or crime Example - Voldemort

Scapegoat The scapegoat figure is one who gets blamed for everything, regardless of whether he/she is actually at fault. Example – Tom Robinson in To Kill a Mockingbird Outcast a figure who is banished from a social group for some crime against his fellow man he/she is usually destined to become a wanderer example - Gollum

The Damsel in Distress A vulnerable woman who needs to be rescued by the hero. She is often used as a trap to ensnare the unsuspecting hero example – Rapunzel Enchantress-Temptress characterized by sensuous beauty usually involved in downfall of the hero or protagonist examples - the Sirens, Calypso

Now, take what you know about archetypes and apply them to everyone’s favorite Ogre….

HeroShrek Literally doing superhuman deeds QuestFind/Rescue Princess Fiona TaskGet his swamp back from the fairy creatures

Light v DarknessThe castle is dark to represent evil; Fiona is first seen in a ray of light; as soon as they escape, they emerge into daytime since they have escaped evil Death and Rebirthwhen they escape the dragon, morning is dawning suggesting hope and rebirth Star-Crossed LoversDragons and Donkeys aren’t supposed to be together, neither are ogres and princesses Evil Figure with a Good HeartDragon appears at first as an Evil Figure, especially with the remains of the knights, but Donkey saves her and converts her to good The JourneyShrek and Donkey face their fears and conquer the dragon, finding Fiona to accomplish their task

HOMEWORK : Review your notes on archetypes. Just as we did with the Shrek example, use one text of your choice (book, movie, short story, etc.) and identify one archetype from each of the three categories (situational, symbolic, and character). For each archetype you identify in the story, write two sentences explaining why your choice demonstrates an example of each of these archetypes by using your definitions from your notes.