Characters: Male The Wise Old Man The Hero Archetypes Characters: Male The Wise Old Man The Hero Jennifer A. Bennett Sanderson High School Raleigh, North Carolina

The Wise Old Man Savior, redeemer, guru figure Personification of the spiritual principle Represents knowledge, reflection, insight, wisdom, cleverness and intuition Also represents moral qualities such as goodwill, readiness to help, honesty & truth, loyalty, The sagacious and helpful old man Main role: to guide the hero

The Wise Old Man

The Hero Archetypes Archetypes of Transformation Redemption The Hero’s Initiation The Hero’s Quest The Sacrificial Scapegoat

Hero’s Initiation Initiation from ignorance and immaturity to social and spiritual maturity (rite of passage) Three-fold process: Separation—the hero literally separates (is removed from) his community/environment Transformation—the majority of the plot where the hero grows in maturity, preparing him for the Return—the hero literally goes back to his community, now spiritually and emotionally mature and able to contribute positively to society

Examples of Hero Initiation The Lion King

Examples of Hero Initiation Huck Finn Ebeneezer Scrooge The Prodigal Son Finding Nemo—both Nemo and Marlin

Examples of Hero Initiation Shrek Ironman Thor

The Sacrificial Scapegoat The hero upon whom the welfare of the tribe or nation relies Must die— to atone for the people’s sins to restore the land to fruitfulness Examples: Jesus Aslan

The Sacrificial Scapegoat William Wallace (Braveheart)

The Sacrificial Scapegoat Maximus Harry Potter

The Sacrificial Scapegoat Gandalf Sommersby

The Sacrificial Scapegoat Harry Stamper (Armageddon)

The Hero’s Quest Undertakes a long journey Has an important goal to achieve Must perform impossible tasks and overcome insurmountable obstacles Is often a savior/ deliverer figure—he saves the day

Other Archetypal Motifs Creation Myth—a story both necessary and credible which articulates into a significant whole all the disparate and discrete experiences of life; a fundamental and unifying force in life; does not necessarily refer to falsehood) Genesis Gilgamesh Native American myths Immortality Battle of Good vs. Evil