  The images, figures, character types, settings and story patterns that are commonly shared by people across cultures. Archetypes: Definition

  Situational Archetypes  Symbolic Archetypes  Character Archetypes Categories of Archetypes

  The Quest  The Initiation  The Journey  The Fall  The Flood  Death & Rebirth  Nature vs. Technology  Battle between Good & Evil  The Magic Weapon Situational Archetypes

  The search for someone, that when found and brought back, will restore fertility to a wasted land. The Quest The Holy Grail (King Arthur) The Lion KingThe Dark Crystal

  As part of the Quest, the hero must perform some nearly superhuman deed. In many stories, the hero must complete multiple tasks before completing the quest. The Task Pulling the sword from the stone Learning karate

  The journey sends the hero in search of some truth or information necessary to complete the quest. The Journey

  Describes a descent from a higher to a lower state of being. The experience involves loss of innocence and bliss. The Fall Adam & Eve’s fall from the Garden

  The most common of all situational archetypes, this motif grows out of the parallel between the cycle of nature and the cycle of life.  Morning and springtime represent birth, youth or rebirth  Evening and winter represent old age and death. Death & Rebirth

  This symbolizes the extraordinary quality of the hero because no one else can use the weapon. The Magic Weapon Luke’s lightsaberArthur’s sword Excalibur Thor’s hammer Mjolnir

  Light vs. Darkness  Heaven & Hell  Civilization vs. Wilderness  Supernatural Intervention Symbolic Archetypes

  Light usually suggests hope, renewal, or intellectual brilliance  Darkness implies the unknown, ignorance, or despair. Light vs. Darkness Darth Vader, master of the Dark Side of the Force

  Places of safety contrast sharply against the dangerous wilderness.  Heroes are often sheltered here for a time to regain health and resources. Civilization vs. Wilderness Camelot

  The gods intervene on the side of the hero or sometimes against him. Supernatural Intervention Poseidon thwarting Odysseus, Athena helping him Obi Wan Kenobi’s ghost assisting Luke Skywalker

  The Hero  Mentors  Father-Son Conflict  Loyal Servants  The Devil Figure  The Trickster  The Savior  The Woman Figure  The Temptress  The Damsel in Distress  The Star-Crossed Lovers  The Creature of Nightmare Character Archetypes

  Often, the hero’s mother is a virgin, the circumstances of his conception are unusual, and at birth, some attempt is made to kill him.  He is spirited away and raised by foster parents. Upon reaching manhood, he returns to his future kingdom. The Hero Examples: Oedipus, Theseus, Perseus, Jason, Joseph (w/ the coat of many colors), Moses, David, Jesus, Beowulf, Arthur, Robin Hood, and many others.

  After victory over the current king or a wild beast, he marries a princess, becomes a king himself.  Often the hero will then lose favor with the gods, is driven from the city, and meets a mysterious death. The Hero (cont.) Examples: Oedipus, Theseus, Perseus, Jason, Joseph (w/ the coat of many colors), Moses, David, Jesus, Beowulf, Arthur, Robin Hood, and many others.

 The Hero (cont.) Other examples: Oedipus, Theseus, Perseus, Jason, Joseph (w/ the coat of many colors), Moses, David, Jesus, Robin Hood, Luke Skywalker, and many others. Harry Potter Beowulf King Arthur

  The mentor serves as a teacher or counselor to the hero.  The mentor teaches by example the skills necessary to survive a quest. Mentor Figure & Mentor-Pupil Relationship Obi Wan Kenobi & Luke Skywalker Harry Potter & Dumbledore Arthur & Merlin

  Tension often results from separation during childhood or from an external source when the father and son meet as men. Father-Son Conflict Example: Luke Skywalker & Darth Vader

  Evil personified; this character offers worldly goods, fame or knowledge to the protagonist (or hero) in exchange for possession of the hero’s soul. The Devil Figure Mephistopheles Satan The Emperor

  The trickster breaks the rules of the gods or nature.  Tricksters can be cunning or foolish or both; they are often funny. The Trickster Anansi the Spider (Africa & Carribean) Coyote (Native American) Loki (Norse)

  The Temptress: Characterized by intense beauty, this woman is one to whom the protagonist is physically attracted and who ultimately brings about his downfall (Delilah, The sirens).  The Damsel in Distress: The vulnerable woman who must be rescued by the hero. She is often used as bait to trap the unsuspecting hero. The Woman Figure Odysseus & the Sirens