Archetypal/Mythological Theory

Carl Jung’s Radical Idea Collective Unconscious: the part of the unconscious mind that is derived from ancestral memory and experience and is common to all humankind, as distinct from the individual's unconscious.

Individuation: Our Ultimate Goal the discovery and experience of meaning and purpose in life; the means by which one finds oneself and becomes who one really is.  It depends upon the interplay and synthesis of opposites e.g. conscious and unconscious, personal and collective, divine and human, life and death. 

Persona/Mask The social face each of us presents to the world A compromise between the individual (your true self) and what society expects (your attempts to fit in with the collective) The persona can be harmful because we cling to it even if it harms us, or we’ve changed inside but our persona does not reflect this.

Syzygy: Opposite Pairs Anima: the female component of the unconscious male psyche Animus: the male component of the unconscious female psyche

The Shadow The repressed, inferior layer of the personal unconscious. Everything we fear, hate or deny in ourselves appears in the shadow. Often frightens us in our dreams. We evade it by seeking out scapegoats.

Classic Example of the Shadow:

Recap: Four Components of your Psyche

Archetypal/Mythological Theory *Every culture has a creation story, a life-after- death belief, and a reason for human failings. *These stories are far more similar than different. From this, we have derived many symbols. *Jung defined archetype as “a figure…that repeats itself in the course of history wherever creative fantasy is fully manifested.”

Archetypal/Mythological Theory Archetypal Characters Archetypal Images Archetypal Situations

Archetypal Characters: The HERO A figure, often larger than life, whose search for identity and/or fulfillment results in his/her destruction. Aftermath of death results in progress toward some ideal. Variations (hero as warrior, hero as lover, tragic hero etc,) but always involves overcoming adversity.

Archetypal Characters: The VILLAIN The SCAPEGOAT The TEMPTRESS The EARTH MOTHER/GODDESS

Archetypal Characters: The LONER Var: the Underdog, the Guilt-Ridden Figure The SPIRIT or INTELLECT The SAGE Var: the wise woman/crone/ witch

Archetypal Images: COLOURS RED: blood, anger, passion, etc GOLD: greatness, value, wealth, etc GREEN: fertility, luxury ($$), growth, etc BLUE: peace, serenity, etc WHITE: purity, goodness, God-like holiness, etc PURPLE: royalty, nobility, spirituality, mystery, etc

3 4 12 7 Archetypal Images: NUMBERS 3 4 Holy Trinity Seasons, ancient elements, mankind 12 7 Months, tribes, apostles Days, deadly sins, rainbow Months, tribes, apostles

Archetypal Images: The Four Ancient Elements

Archetypal Images: Gardens Geometric Shapes Celestial Bodies Caves

Archetypal Situations: The QUEST The RENEWAL OF LIFE The INITIATION

Archetypal Situations: The FALL REDEMPTIVE SACRIFICE The CATALOGUE OF DIFFICULT TASKS

Archetypal Situations: The END OF THE WORLD Var: Armageddon (Christian NT), Ragnarok (Norse) The TABOO The BANQUET

Questions Jungian Critics Ask: What connections can we make between elements of the text and the archetypes? (Mask, Shadow, Anima, Animus) How do the characters in the text mirror the archetypal figures? (Great Mother or nurturing Mother, Whore, destroying Crone, Lover, Destroying Angel) How does the text mirror the archetypal narrative patterns? (Quest, Night-Sea-Journey) How symbolic is the imagery in the work? How does the protagonist reflect the hero of myth? Does the “hero” embark on a journey in either a physical or spiritual sense? Is there a journey to an underworld or land of the dead? What trials or ordeals does the protagonist face? What is the reward for overcoming them?

Archetypal Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBPAG66s3lk&l ist=PLFE0A548BB4F519A3