Archetypes What is a hero?

Definition of archetype: a recurrent symbol or motif in literature, art, or mythology Example: Frankenstein , Dracula are both archetypes that have influenced subsequent horror stories – i.e. Freddy Krueger

3 Different Practical Archetypes Situation Archetype Character Archetype Symbolic Archetype

Situation Archetypes The Quest The Journey The Task The Initiation The Fall Death and Rebirth The Battle between Good & Evil

The Quest Examples: The Lion King, Excalibur, Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail. the search for someone or something (a talisman) which, when found and brought back, will restore fertility to a wasted land, the desolation of which is mirrored by a leader’s illness and disability. Note:  “fertility” does not necessarily mean “reproduction” or “fruitfulness.” It can and often does mean prosperity, peace, harmony. http://raresoundtracks.iespana.es/images/thelionking.jpg

The Journey Example: The Odyssey, The Canterbury Tales, The Aeneid, The Fellowship of the Rings, The Lord of the Flies  The journey sends the hero in search for some truth or information necessary to restore fertility to the kingdom.   a.      The hero descends into a real or psychological hell b.      He is forced to discover or face the blackest truths about himself (usually). c.      He accepts responsibility for his faults and acknowledges his mistakes. d.      He returns to the world of the living. http://www.the-reel-mccoy.com/movies/2001/images/FellowshipOfTheRing_poster.jpg

The Task Examples: Hercules, The Sword and the Stone, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Beowulf. To save the kingdom, to win the fair lady, to identify himself so that he may resume his rightful position, the hero must perform some nearly superhuman deed.   This differs from the Quest in that in the Quest, the ultimate goal is to restore fertility; here the goal is to gain something (power, the girl, wealth, etc.) http://www.virginmedia.com/microsites/movies/slideshow/top-ten-movie-wizards/img_6.jpg

The Initiation Examples: This usually takes the form of an initiation into adult life.  The adolescent comes into his or her own maturity with new awareness and problems along with new hope for the community.  This awakening is often the climax of the story.  It does parallel the Ritual. Examples: Huckleberry Finn, The Lion King, King Arthur, the Hobbits.  The Harry Potter series. http://www.southshields-sanddancers.co.uk/photos_posters/harry_potter_calendar_photo.jpg

The Fall Examples: Adam and Eve, Lancelot and Guinevere, Milton’s Paradise Lost, many detective/cops stories. This archetype describes a descent from a higher state of being 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 an expulsion from a kind of paradise as penalty for disobedience and moral transgression.   http://www.nashvillescholars.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/arthur

Death & Rebirth This is the most common of all situational archetypes.  It is the parallel between the cycle of nature and the cycle of life.  Thus, morning and springtime represent birth, youth, or rebirth; evening and winter suggest old age or death. http://morris-photographics.com/photos/TheFourSeasons.jpg

The Battle Between Good & Evil Examples: The forces of Sauron and those of Middle Earth in The Lord of the Rings, Satan vs. God in  Milton’s Paradise Lost, any western movie or novel, most cartoons, The book of Revelation. Obviously, the battle between two primal forces.  Mankind shows eternal optimism in the continual portrayal of good triumphing over evil despite great odds. http://rangersin08.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/sauron1.jpg http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51BD7HCN0TL.jpg

Character Archetype The Hero The Initiates Mentors Father-Son Conflict Loyal Retainers Devil Figure Creature of Nightmares Woman Figure

The Initiates Example: Daniel from The Karate Kid. These are young heroes or heroines who, prior to their quest, must endure some training and ceremony.  They are usually innocent and often wear white.   http://spencerpeet.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/karate-kid-se-sleeve.jpg

The Mentor Examples: Obi-Wan Kenobe, Dumbledore http://www.odj310388.com/wallpapercomp/images/obiwan.jpg http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Film/Pix/gallery/2001/07/03/Albusdumbledorerichardharris.jpg These individuals serve as teachers or counselors to the initiates.  Sometimes they work as role models and often serve as father or mother figure. (1) (2)

Father – Son Conflict Tension often results from separation during childhood or from an external source when the individuals meet as men and where the mentor often has a higher place in the affections of the hero than the natural parent Example: Romeo & Lord Montague (1) (2) http://p7.p.pixnet.net/albums/userpics/7/0/308370/1178083764.jpg http://www.mymovies.it/filmclub/attori/3994.jpg

Archetype Activity In groups of three (4) by finding the other people who have a character from your story.

Ariel Flounder Ursula Sebastian

Alfred Pennyworth Joker Batman

Stepmother Fairy Godmother Jaq & Gus

Crush Nemo Bruce Dori

Dumbledore Rupert Draco

Professor X Rogue Magneto

Simba Scar Rafiki Timon and Pumba

Donkey Shrek Lord Farquaad Princess Fiona Lord Farquaad

Darth Vader Luke Skywalker Chewbacca and Han Solo Yoda

Moana Heihei Maui Te Ka Neytiri’s Mother

Olaf Elsa Bulda Hans

Archetype Activity With your group, determine the role each character played in the story. Before you determine the role of your characters, each group member will have to determine his/her role during this activity.

Archetype Activity Roles Task Master: You are responsible for picking up the supplies/materials your group needs during the activity and turning them back in at the end of the activity. You will also be the one responsible for making sure everyone in your group helps pick up any trash or debris that may have collected in your group’s workstation.

Archetype Activity Roles Time Keeper: You will ensure everyone in your group is aware of how much time is left to finish the task and that your group finishes in the time allotted.

Archetype Activity Roles Recorder: You are responsible for legibly writing down the information your group will present to the class.

Archetype Activity Roles Speaker: You are responsible for sharing your group’s ideas with the rest of the class.

Evidence of Learning Each group member needs to use the back of his/her KWL chart and label it like the example below. Character’s Name Archetype Evidence From Story

Evidence of Learning Work together to fill in each of the columns by discussing your group’s story. Document your group’s final answer in the format of the three (3) columns on the paper provided. You will have ten (10) minutes to complete this activity.

What type of character was he/she? COLUMN 2 Use the following questions to come up with ONE (1) archetype to describe each character What type of character was he/she? What type of relationship did the character have with each of the other characters? How did the character feel throughout the story? If your group is not familiar with one or more of the characters in your group, use the body language and facial expression clues each character gives in his/her picture.

COLUMN 3: Support Your Answer Try to think of at least two (2) things your character did in the story that supports your answer in Column 2. Write your support in Column 3.

Class Discussion: Compare What roles do some of the characters share from each story?

What did you learn about archetype? K W L (What do you KNOW?) (What do you WANT to know?) (What did you LEARN?)