Archetypes The Journey of the Hero

What is an archetype? Archetype Definition… - a situational, symbolic or character element that recurs in cultural or cross-cultural myths. Archetypes show universal patterns in all stories. Carl Jung believed that there is a “collective unconscious” that all human beings share. So…what does this all mean?

This means… When you read stories, you should be able to recognize certain patterns and motifs. When you discuss stories with others, you should have similar reactions to symbols, characters, and situations. When you understand the story, you find yourself connected to certain elements of the journey. (Discuss….)

The Hero Archetypes The Chief---leader, worker, goal-oriented, overbearing Modern Example??? The Bad Boy---dangerous, wild-side, rebel, crushed idealist, street smart: Modern Example? The Best Friend---sweet and safe, responsible, doesn’t enjoy confrontation, unassertive, always be there Modern Example? The Charmer---fun, irresistible, not too dependable, doesn’t commit to women easily

More Hero Archetypes… The Lost Soul---sensitive soul, secretive, unforgiving, vulnerable, outcast Modern Example? The Professor---logical, introverted, but genuine, likes the facts The Swashbuckler---Mr. Excitement, physical and daring The Warrior---acts with honor, noble, protector

The Heroines The Boss: go-getter, take-charge female, nothing but respect Modern Example? The Seductress: an enchantress, mysterious and manipulative, sense of survival The Spunky Kid: loyal, team player, ready to lend a hand The Free Spirit: eternal optimist, fun-loving, follows her heart and not her head

More Heroines… The Waif: distressed damsel, childlike innocence, strength of will, she’’endure Modern Example? The Librarian: controlled and clever, prim proper and PASSIONATE The Crusader: dedicated fighter on a mission, headstrong The Nurturer: nourishes the spirit, wonderful listener, serene, capable and optimistic

The Villain Archetypes The Tyrant---wants power, conquers, people are but pawns The Bastard---burns with resentment, provokes action in others, bundle of hate The Devil---charming fiend, lures his victims to their own destruction, tempts them The Traitor---double agent, betrays, plots the destruction of his friends The Outcast---lonely outsider, craves redemption, willing to gain it by sacrificing others The Evil Genius---superior intelligence, inferiors are contemptible to him, puzzles and experiments

More Villains… The Sadist---enjoys cruelty, violence and psychological brutality, tears out your heart and laughs while doing it The Terrorist----dark knight, warped code of honor, judges, no morality The B/Witch---lies, cheats, steals, doesn’t help anyone but herself The Black Widow---lures victims to her web, expert at seduction, lies The Backstabber---two-faced friend, learns her victims’ secrets, she’ll betray them

And More Villains!!! The Lunatic: unbalanced madwoman, misses many a beat, unfathomable The Parasite: poisonous, sees herself as a victim, blames others for her crimes The Schemer: devises the ruin of others, plays with lives, is complex The Fanatic: extremist, anyone not her ally is her enemy, believes you are WRONG, WRONG, WRONG The Matriarch---motherly oppressor, smothers, a classic enabler, sees no fault with her darlings, unless they don’t follow her dictates

Archetypal Situations Father- son conflict- father is either absent, dead, angry, disappointed… hero must deal with this break in family. Fog symbolizes uncertainty The Task – the almost superhuman feat(s) that must be accomplished in order to reach the goal Ex. Mulan’s becoming a man in order to save her father’s honor Maze: a journey into the heart of darkness- a puzzling dilemma.

So…What Do The Hero Archetypes Do???? They go on a journey . . .

The Five Stages of The Hero’s Journey, Stage 1: Departure: call to adventure! Departure: The Hero is called to adventure, although he is reluctant to accept it.

Initiation-- oh no! Stage 2 The Hero crosses the threshold into a new, more dangerous world, gaining a more mature perspective.

The road of trials Stage 3 The Hero is given supernatural aid, endures tests of strength, resourcefulness, and endurance.

The innermost cave Stage 4 The Hero descends into the innermost cave, an underworld, or some other place of great trial. Sometimes this place can be within the hero’s own mind. Because of this trial, the hero is reborn in some way---physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Through this experience, the hero changes internally.

Return to society Stage 5 The hero uses his new wisdom to restore fertility and order to the land.