Archetypes in Literature World Literature

Definition of Archetype A recurrent image, symbol, character, or even situation that is an instinctual expression of man’s nature and experiences that are universal in nature. An archetype is the first real example or prototype of something (as the Model T is the prototype of the modern automobile). In this sense an archetype can be considered the ideal model, the supreme type or the perfect image of something

What does that mean to us? Archetypes can be found in literature, movies, and other forms of entertainment, archetypes can be found. They are universal concepts that can be recognized by all. It does not matter the language, country of origin, or nationality of the characters. Collective Unconsciousness  unconscious mental record of all common human experiences – Carl Jung, Swiss psychologist

Three Categories Character Image Situational

Character Archetypes Trickster Hero Villain Innocent Rugged Individualist Faithful Companion Mentor/Teacher Damsel in Distress Hero Innocent Outcast Scapegoat Mother Figure (earth, step, fairy) Star-Crossed Lovers

Hero Circumstances of birth often vague, raised by guardian, little known about childhood Characterized by courage, strength, and honor Risks his life for the good of all Upon reaching manhood, returns to future kingdom Often meets with a mysterious death Leaves familiar to challenge unfamiliar Very adventurous life, until loses favor with gods The courageous figure, the one who’s always running in and saving the day. D’artagnan from Three Musketeers John Wayne in most of his movies Hercules

The Innocent Child/Youth Inexperienced adult The innocent, fearing abandonment, seeks safety. Their greatest strength is that they are trusting and have optimism that endears them to others and so gain help and support on their quest. Their main danger is that they may be blind to their obvious weaknesses or deny them. They also may become dependent on others to fulfill their heroic task. Frodo – Lord of the Rings Dorothy – The Wizard of Oz Snow White - Snow White

The Outcast A figure that has been cast out or banished from a social group for some crime against his fellow man. He/she is usually destined to become a wanderer Examples: Cain The Grinch Bella - Twilight Shrek

Scapegoat/Sacrificial Victim The one who gets blamed for everything, regardless of whether he or she is at fault. Often die to atone others’ sins. Snowball from George Orwell’s Animal Farm Maurice Jesus Christ

Mother Figure Fairy Godmother (surrogate mother) – comforts and directs child, especially when he or she is confused and needs guidance. Represents powers that can be called on for help when it is needed. Helps young person to solve own problems. Earth Mother – This character is symbolic of fulfillment, abundance, and fertility; offers spiritual and emotional nourishment to those who she contacts Stepmother – cruel, evil

Star-Crossed Lovers Romeo and Juliet, enough said!! Young couple joined by love , but due to the disapproval of society, friends, family, or some other situation, their love affair is fated to end tragically

Trickster A trickster is a god, goddess, spirit, man, woman, or anthropomorphic animal who plays tricks or otherwise disobeys normal rules and conventional behavior. Loki Coyote Wolf

Villain Evil Character Antagonist, has negative effect on others Bad Guy, “Black Hat”, “The Heavy” Examples: Cruella DeVille Zurg

Rugged Individualist A person who is mentally and/or physically tough and is able to navigate through life without needing or relying on unnecessary assistance from outside forces. Paul Bunyan John Wayne Liam Neeson in Taken

Faithful Companion Friend and companion of any character that is willing to face hardship, harm, and ordeal in order to remain together. Examples: Tonto in The Lone Ranger Robin in Batman

The Great Teacher/Mentor Wise old men/women – protects or helps main character when he or she faces challenges. Sometimes they work as role models and often serve as father or mother figure. They teach by example the skills necessary to survive the journey and quest. Examples Obi Wan Kenobi Rafiki Gandalf

Damsel in Distress A vulnerable, single, beautiful woman who needs to be rescued by the hero. She is often used as a trap to catch the hero. Examples Sleeping Beauty Snow White Rapunzel

Images/Settings Water Islands Sun Crossroads Garden Road or Train Tree Shapes Forest Animals Desert Numbers Caves and Tunnels Colors Mountains and Peaks

Water - The River Crossing river may symbolize new territory Rivers can be boundaries or borders and on the other side is something new or different May represent human life or time passing as we follow the river from its source to its mouth

Water - The Sea Vast, alien, dangerous, chaos Waves may symbolize measures of time and represent eternity or infinity

Water - Fountain Stands for purification, purity; the sprinkling of water (baptism) washes away sin. Water of fountain gives new life such as the Fountain of Youth

Sun Creative energy, father figure, passage of time and life, thinking, wisdom, and spiritual vision Rising sun – birth, creation, associated with east Setting sun – death, destruction, associated with west

Garden Garden Paradise, innocence, fertility

Tree Represents life and knowledge

Forest Those who enter often lose their direction or rational outlook and thus tap into their collective unconscious. This unregulated space is opposite of the cultivated gardens, which are carefully planned and are restricted to certain vegetation. Often a symbol of the unknown Often symbolized as a scary place Example: Thieves’ Forest in The Princess Bride Haunted forests

Desert Lack of spirituality Death and despair Hopelessness

Caves and Tunnels Deep down where character delves inside self Place that character goes when “invisible” or inactive At the extreme may signify death

Mountains and Peaks Highest peak is place to “see” far Place to gain great insight

Islands Represent isolation or get-a-ways Represents feeling of loneliness

Crossroads Represents a decision

Road or Train Symbolizes a journey through life Train can sometimes signify journey from life to death

Shapes Circle – complete, wholeness, unity Egg/oval – mystery of life Square – different, utilitarian, sharp, uncomfortable

Animals Serpent – evil, corruption Dark-colored bird – death, hate, corruption Raven Hawk Light-colored bird – peace, love, life, and purity Dove

Numbers Three – holy trinity, spiritual wellness Four – life cycle, four seasons, nature, four elements (earth, air, fire, and water) Seven – most potent of all symbolic numbers because it is the sum of 3 and 4 and makes it the perfect number Thirteen - unlucky

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

Situational Journey/Task/Quest Initiation/Rite of Passage Parental Conflict Coming of Age Birth/Death and Rebirth The Fall

Journey/Quest/Task Journey - Protagonist or hero in search of some truth that will help save his kingdom Task – the super-human feat that the hero must perform to accomplish his task. Quests – Hero must accomplish to restore normalcy to a troubled land

Initiation and Rite of Passage This is the process by which a character is brought into another sphere of influence, usually into adulthood. The adolescent comes into maturity with new awareness and adult problems.

Parental Conflict and Relationships Protagonist deals with struggles in becoming an adult. Usually the struggle is with parents, but can sometimes be with other authority figures.

Coming of age Protagonist encounters an experience that has forced them to grow up before they are ready. Examples: Death of a parent Act of violence committed against them

Birth/Death and Rebirth Character experiences an event that renews their spirit and helps them to come to a clarifying realization. Can often be symbolized through sleep, as well.

The Fall: Expulsion from Eden When a character becomes an outcast due to an unacceptable action. Usually the community as a whole banished them. Example: Adam and Eve being banished from the Garden of Eden