Archetypes: Recognizing Patterns in Literature

Once upon a time, there was a man named Carl Jung Swiss psychiatrist Studied dreams, personalities, and religious connections 1925 "Bugishu Psychological Expedition" to East Africa What he figured out: People all over the world have the same dreams and stories We have a “collective unconscious” from birth The collective unconscious comes out in the form of archetypes in our stories

What is an archetype? A pattern repeated through the ages in folk and literary expressions. An original model on which something is patterned. Excerpt about Carl Jung & archetypes from Psychology Classics narrated by Tom Butler Bowdon http://youtu.be/dBDGw6AFoSs

Patterns within archetypes: Symbol: Concrete object representing an idea Motif: Visual detail developed throughout a work. It may reinforce character, enhance theme or foreshadow plot developments. A repeating pattern ARCHETYPES are what makes readers / listeners / viewers relate to and enjoy a story. We connect with what we already know from our “collective unconscious.”

Archetypal Themes The initiation (rite of passage, sometimes fall from innocence): The hero undergoes series of ordeals passing from innocence to social/spiritual maturity. Pattern of separation, transformation, and return. Can you think of a story patterned after this archetypal theme? Write down at least one idea. One example: http://youtu.be/4sj1MT05lAA Another example: http://youtu.be/dkX8J-FKndE Another example: http://youtu.be/ukdRPqtZDEc

There are several types of journeys the hero can take THE JOURNEY— The hero goes in search of some truth or information to restore life to the kingdom. The quest involves proving himself, defending or saving someone or something, or finding something. There are several types of journeys the hero can take Identity Knowledge Vengeance to find the promised land journey for the grail (human perfection) The type of journey determines the type of hero.

The Fall Describes a descent from a higher to a lower state of being. The experience involves a defilement and/or a loss of innocence and bliss. The fall is often accompanied by expulsion from a kind of paradise as a penalty for disobedience and moral transgression. Battle between Good and Evil — Obviously the battle between two primal forces. Mankind shows eternal optimism in the continual portrayal of good triumphing over evil despite great odds. These manifest themselves in the classic conflicts of menacing enemies, natural dangers, moral dilemmas, problems with society, and difficulty with fate or decisions

The movie opens on a dark, stormy night The movie opens on a dark, stormy night. There is no power in the house where the couple lives. What does this suggest? Why?

Symbolic Archetypes: These are symbols (something which represents something else) that have occurred over and over again throughout time and in various different cultures. These symbols have always represented the same things; that is what makes them an archetype and what makes us recognize them as symbols when we see them. Examples Include:

LIGHT VS. DARKNESS— light suggests hope, renewal, or intellectual illumination; darkness suggests the unknown, ignorance, or despair. HEAVEN VS. HELL— gods live in the skies or mountaintops; evil forces live in the bowels of the earth WATER FOR CLEANSING- a water source offers the character an opportunity to purify himself from a wrong NUMBERS- a particular number holds a sacred value for the culture (such as 3 for the Christian faith) ANIMALS- animals such as snakes or cows hold special value in the culture or religion

Setting Archetypes These are settings that are seen over and over throughout literature. Although the settings may vary a little over time or as cultures change, the basic premise of the setting is the same. Examples Include:

universe of opposites –this can be anything from light and dark or day and night to good and evil or man verse beast an underworld for the afterlife –any form of going “under” to achieve some kind of enlightenment or to be tested. a paradise setting or a lost paradise setting- this would resemble the garden of Eden where nature is untouched by man landscape that emerges from chaos - begins with some kind of void or confusion and something whole is brought forth such as the light and the darkness emerging from the watery chaos A river or water source - emphasis would be on it’s life giving or cleansing properties

Character Archetypes These are the “stereotype” characters that you see over and over again. You’ve seen these characters throughout different cultures and over different eras in history. Examples of these popular archetypes are:

THE HERO — mother is sometimes a virgin, circumstances of birth are unusual, some attempt is made at birth to kill him; raised by foster parents, returns to his kingdom to right wrongs, marries a princess, becomes king, meets a mysterious death, body is burned rather than buried ANTI-HERO - A non-hero, given the job of failure, frequently humorous (think Homer Simpson) THE SCAPEGOAT — animal or human who is unjustly held responsible for others’ sins; sacrificed but they often become more powerful force dead than alive. (sometimes mixed with sacrificial

YOUNG MAN FROM THE PROVINCES —Hero is taken away as a young man and raised by strangers; when he returns home, he can view problems objectively and can solve them more easily than others. FRIENDLY BEAST – An beast on the side of the hero who shows that nature most often sides with good (think Chewbacca or Donkey) THE OUTCAST— a figure ostracized by some crime committed on his fellow man (could be unjustly accused, or could banish himself due to guilt.

THE MOTHER FIGURE-often a goddess who brings the life source to the story either by actually birthing things into being or nurturing them for survival THE TERRIBLE MOTHER- witch, stepmother, siren or temptress; does the exact opposite of what a mother should do. TEMPTRESS—sensuous beauty; brings about the hero’s downfall because he is physically attracted to her DAMSEL IN DISTRESS- A vulnerable woman who needs to be rescued by the hero. She is often used as a trap to ensnare the unsuspecting hero

STAR-CROSSED LOVERS- Two lovers forbidden to be together because of rules of society or family, often ends tragically. DEVIL FIGURE—evil incarnate; offers worldly goods, fame, or knowledge to the hero in exchange for possession of the soul CREATURE OF NIGHTMARES- Animal or creature disfigured or mutilated, monsters who are the antagonists in the story.

Now, take what you know about archetypes and apply them to everyone’s favorite Ogre….

Find/Rescue Princess Fiona Hero Shrek Literally doing superhuman deeds Quest Find/Rescue Princess Fiona Task Get his swamp back from the fairy creatures

Light v Darkness The castle is dark to represent evil; Fiona is first seen in a ray of light; as soon as they escape, they emerge into daytime since they have escaped evil Death and Rebirth when they escape the dragon, morning is dawning suggesting hope and rebirth Star Crossed Lovers Dragons and Donkeys aren’t supposed to be together, neither are ogres and princesses Evil Figure with a Good Heart Dragon appears at first as an Evil Figure, especially with the remains of the knights, but Donkey saves her and converts her to good The Journey Shrek and Donkey face their fears and conquer the dragon, finding Fiona to accomplish their task

HOMEWORK: Review your notes on archetypes. Use one text of your choice (movie, book, short story, children’s story, etc) and identify one archetype from each category (situational, symbolic, setting and character). For each archetype (4), write two sentences explaining why your choice demonstrates an example of each of these archetypes by using your definitions from your notes.