Archetypes and Type Scenes

Archetypes Looking back at works over thousands of years, we can find similar and repeated patterns in the design of a tale and the roles of each character within. In literature, an archetype is a typical character, an action or a situation that seems to represent such universal patterns of human nature. An archetype, also known as universal symbol character theme symbol  setting Many literary critics are of the opinion that archetypes, which have a common and recurring representation in a particular human culture or entire human race, shape the structure and function of a literary work.

Archetypes (Characters) Hero-Protagonist or Antagonist Mentor (Wise Old Man or Woman) Threshold Guardian (someone in the way) Herald (the one calling the hero to action or adventure) Shapeshifter (someone who changes appearance) Shadow (the villain or opponent) The Maiden The Sidekick Trickster (con artist) Child-like adult Adult-like child Mother figure Anymore? http://mattblake.net/210/images/movie-archetypes.jpg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ_JOBCLF-I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcgJRQWxKnw

Type Scenes 1. Setting - Where are we? 2. Atmosphere/Mood - What is it like there? 3. Introduction - Who is it we are dealing with here? 4. Exposition - Necessary information. Quick and Clever. 5. Transition - getting from one place to another. Fast. 6. Preparation - What will it take to prepare for the task at hand? 7. Aftermath - How does the character feel about what just happened? 8. Investigation - Gathering information. 9. Revelation - The reader/audience finds out something important. 10. Recognition - The character finds out something important. 11. The Gift - Using a prop with emotional investment and turning it into a weapon, emotional or otherwise. 12. Escape - The character is trying to get away, avoid, or hide. 13. Pursuit - The character is trying to follow, capture, or secure. 14. Seduction - Someone must convince someone else. 15. Opposites - Two characters from seemingly opposite poles are forced together. 16. Reversal of Expectations - A character expects a certain, very clear outcome, but another character surprises him, influencing him to reverse his intention and do something else practically the opposite of what he planned to do. 17. Unexpected Visitor - Someone unexpected shows up. Problems arise.

Motifs Literary motifs: images, symbols, or themes that are repeated (harder to be coincidental) throughout a piece of literature or across more than one piece of literature so as to form a pattern.  Physical symbols/images: Water, blood, fire, stones, plants (trees/bushes/agriculture), wood, mountains, animals, covenants etc. Numbers 3, 7, 12, 40 Themes Innocence, problem of evil, virtue of faith, possibility of redemption Leitmotifs: repeated patterns and images that tend to be less dominant (easier to be coincidental) than motifs, but their repetition serves to unify narratives on multiple levels as well.  Courage (Joshua, Jonathan, Elijah) Rebellion (Israelites, Jonah, Jacob) Repentance/Forgiveness (David, Hosea & Gomer) Motive of the “motif” To present and reinforce a prevailing theme. Helps developing the major theme Help readers comprehend the underlying messages that writers intend to communicate to them