An Underlying Element of Mythology Archetypes An Underlying Element of Mythology

Karen Armstrong, A Short History of Myth “Myths are universal and timeless stories that reflect and shape our lives – they mirror our desires, our fears, our longings, and provide narratives that attempt to help us make sense of the world.”

An original model after which other similar things are patterned. What is an archetype? An original model after which other similar things are patterned.

An archetype might model... • A theme or situation • A symbol • A character

Archetypal Themes/Situations Some Examples: • The Hero’s Quest • The Loss of Innocence • The Initiation Into Adulthood • The Creation of the World

Archetypal Characters Some Examples: • The Chosen One • The Serpent • The Trickster • The Damsel in Distress

Let’s look at some specific archetypal characters we often encounter in myths and stories about heroes

The Chosen One Must typically fulfill an ancient prophecy to save the world Is almost always of humble origins or discovers he is from nobility Often requires the help of a Wise Old Man to fulfill his destiny Requires multiple sidekicks, often with radically different skills

The Chosen One … Harry Potter Aragorn Mario Peter, Lucy, Edmund and Susan Anakin & Luke Skywalker Sam Winchester

The Clumsy Hero • A well-meaning person who often accidentally destroys friend and foe alike

The Clumsy hero … Inspector Gadget WALL-E Edward Scissorhands Jar Jar Binks

The Contender An athlete with raw talent, but who must rely on the guidance of a Wise Old Man or similar character in order to overcome internal limitations in order to triumph

The Contender… The Karate Kid The Mighty Ducks Cool Runnings Bobsled Team

The Sidekick • Assistant to the hero; sometimes acts like comedic relief, but can be surprisingly brave and resourceful

The Sidekick … Samwise Gamgee Spock Robin Chewbacca Luigi and Waluigi

The Competent Man • Can do anything well; repair a machine, fight, cook a meal, build a house, etc.

The Competent Man … Indiana Jones James Bond Iron Man

The Wise Old Man • An elderly character who offers advice and guidance to the protagonists

The Wise Old Man … Merlin Obi Wan Kenobi Gandalf Dumbledore John Winchester/Bobby Eddard Stark