Your guide on the recurring roles in literature Archetypes Your guide on the recurring roles in literature

What are archetypes? Carl Jung believed an archetype is “a figure… that repeats itself in the course of history where creative fantasy is fully manifested.” People are born innately knowing certain archetypes. Explains why some myths are repeated throughout history in cultures and eras that could not possibly have had any contact with one another. For example, Greek and Roman myths had counterparts in Chinese and Celtic mythology long before the Greek and Roman Empires spread to Asia and northern Europe. The Creation Myth Critics who read texts with the mythological/archetypal approach are looking for symbols. Carl Jung said that an archetype is “a figure...that repeats itself in the course of history wherever creative fantasy is fully manifested.” He believed that human beings were born innately knowing certain archetypes. The evidence of this, Jung claimed, lay in the fact that some myths are repeated throughout history in cultures and eras that could not possibly have had any contact with one another. Many stories in Greek and Roman mythology had counterparts in Chinese and Celtic mythology long before the Greek and Roman Empires spread to Asia and northern Europe. Most of the myths and symbols represent ideas that human beings could not otherwise explain (the origins of life, what happens after death, etc.) Every culture has a creation story, a life-after-death belief, and an explanation for human failings, and these stories—when studied comparatively—are far more similar than different.

What are archetypes? Archetypes are not limited to characters only, but rather recurring themes, characters, and situations. Use of archetypes continues in the modern era, and is most evident in film adaptations of popular novels. In fact, modern authors use archetypes and our own basic inherent understanding of them to quickly allow us to know the characters of a work with little to no explanation. For example, we accept Katniss Everdeen as a hero in The Hunger Games because she immediately goes to her sister’s rescue at the beginning of the story. When reading a work looking for archetypes or myths, critics look for very general recurring themes, characters, and situations. In modern times, the same types of archetypes are used in film, which is why it has been so easy for filmmakers to take a work like Jane Austen’s Emma and adapt it into the typical Hollywood film Clueless. By drawing on those feelings, thoughts, concerns, and issues that have been a part of the human condition in every generation, modern authors allow readers to know the characters in a work with little or no explanation. Imagine how cluttered stories would be if the author had to give every detail about every single minor character that entered the work!

What are archetypes? There are three major categories for archetypes: Character Situational Symbolic We will start today by observing just the Character Archetypes.

Character archetypes

The hero A character who ultimately may fulfill a necessary task and who will restore fertility, harmony, and/or justice to the community. This character appears across many cultures, religions, and mythologies. A hero is marked by his/her self-sacrifice and will pay a price to reach the goal. Some characteristics of the hero: Unusual circumstances at birth (sometimes into danger or royalty) Leaves family or land and lives with someone else An event, sometimes traumatic, leads to adventure/quest

The mentor A character who serves as a teacher or counselor to the hero. Sometimes they work as a role model or mother/father figure. The mentor represents wisdom and sometimes puts the hero on the right path or strengthens the hero when he/she feels weak. Can be thought of as the “wise old man” or “wise old woman”.

The villain The character who opposes the hero.

The Shapeshifter This is an evil figure who ultimately has a good heart. Either a redeemable villain or servant to the villain. Saved by the hero’s nobility or good heart.

The trickster The trickster is a clown, a mischief maker. He sometimes provides the comic relief for a story to offset heavy dramatic tension. The trickster can be an ally or companion of the Hero, or may work for the villain. In some instances, the trickster can be either the hero or the villain him/herself. Usually: Selfish Sympathetic Has little responsibility Sometimes mean-spirited Loveable Foolish & Clever (at the same time) The trickster usually represents the force of cunning and is pitted against opponents who are stronger or more powerful.

The Witch A woman, a hag, although she may appear as a beautiful woman who attempts to try and destroy the protagonist. HOWEVER this typical definition of the "witch" archetype is very patriarchal. From a non- sexist (#sorrynotsorry) perspective, the "witch" archetype could also mean a woman who is confident, powerful, and intelligent.

The temptress The beautiful female character interested in seducing the male (or female, we don't judge) hero or protagonist. Also could be a male "tempter" interested in seducing the female hero (or male, again, no judging) or protagonist. This person’s beauty could lead to the downfall of the hero. Note: Leia can be both the witch (in the non-patriarchal feminist #girlsrock way) AND the Temptress for Luke in Star Wars.

The sidekick Did anyone really think Peeta would be the temptress? This character is the hero’s trusted companion and best friend. They devote their time and energy to any task thrown at him/her. Often this character reflects the hero’s nobility.

The damsel in distress/The Maiden This is generally a female character who is helpless and in need of rescue from the (male) hero. She may also be used as a trap to ensnare the hero. Also, to be honest, Leia was undercover here. But Luke did save her. And this is what happens when you only have one prominent female character in a movie franchise. She has to take on multiple archetypes. Poor Leia. Let’s be real, Ginny was only the DiD in Chamber of Secrets.

The mother Female character that proves to be nurturing to those she comes in contact with.

The innocent/eternal child This is a character that never loses their innocent and child-like nature.

Situational archetypes

The quest What the Hero must accomplish in order to bring fertility back to the wasteland, usually a search for some talisman, which will restore peace, order, and normalcy to a troubled land.

The task The nearly superhuman feat(s) the Hero must perform in order to accomplish his quest.

The journey The journey sends the Hero in search of some truth that will help save his kingdom.

The initiation The adolescent comes into his maturity with new awareness and problems.

The fall The descent from a higher to a lower state of being usually as a punishment for transgression. It also involves the loss of innocence.

Death and rebirth The most common of all situational archetypes, this motif grows out of a parallel between the cycle of nature and the cycle of life. Thus morning and springtime represent birth, youth, or rebirth, while evening and winter suggest old age or death.

The battle between good and evil Obviously, a battle between two primal forces. Mankind shows eternal optimism in the continual portrayal of good triumphing over evil despite great odds.

The unhealable wound Either a physical or psychological wound that cannot be fully healed. The wound symbolizes a loss of innocence.

Symbolic Archetypes

Light vs dark Light usually suggests hope, renewal, or intellectual illumination; darkness implies the unknown, ignorance, or despair.

Water vs desert Because Water is necessary to life and growth, it commonly appears as a birth symbol, as baptism symbolizes a spiritual birth. Rain, rivers, oceans, etc. also function the same way. The Desert suggests the opposite.

Heaven vs hell Man has traditionally associated parts of the universe not accessible to him with the dwelling places of the primordial forces that govern his world. The skies and mountaintops house his gods, the bowels of the earth contain diabolic forces.

Haven vs wilderness Places of safety contrast sharply against a dangerous wilderness. Heroes are often sheltered for a time to regain health and resources

Fire vs ice Fire represents knowledge, light, life, and rebirth, while ice, like the desert, represents ignorance, darkness, sterility, and death.

The crossroads A place or time of decision when a realization is made and change or penance results

fog Symbolizes uncertainty.

The whirlpool Symbolizes the destructive power of nature or fate.

colors Red: blood, sacrifice, passion, disorder Green: growth, hope, fertility Blue: highly positive, security, tranquility, spiritual purity Black: darkness, chaos, mystery, the unknown, death, wisdom, evil, melancholy White: light, purity, innocence, timelessness (negatives: death, horror, supernatural) Yellow: enlightenment, wisdom

numbers 3—light, spiritual awareness, unity (holy trinity), male principle 4—associated with the circle, life cycle, four seasons, female principle, earth, nature, elements 7—the most potent of all symbolic numbers signifying the union of three and four, the completion of a cycle, perfect order, perfect number, religious symbol

Create a visual

In your groups… You will choose ONE major work of literary merit (no YA, please) to create a poster. Include the Title and Author (you may use your phones to look it up) On this poster you must identify: At least one Character Archetype At least one Situational Archetype At least one Symbolic Archetype For each archetype, explain how it fits your work. For example: In The Awakening, Edna Pontellier is the Proto-Feminist Hero because she defies social norms, etc. You may want to include illustrations!