Character Archetypes Lesson 2

Character Archetypes FThere is nothing new under the sun. This statement applies to characters as well. FAll characters fit into pre-existing archetypal patterns. FThere are many character archetypes. We will encounter only some of the most frequent. FThink of character archetypes as the same character reappearing with a different face and name. FThere is nothing new under the sun. This statement applies to characters as well. FAll characters fit into pre-existing archetypal patterns. FThere are many character archetypes. We will encounter only some of the most frequent. FThink of character archetypes as the same character reappearing with a different face and name.

The Hero FThe hero archetype is the most important character archetype. FThe hero is also the most complicated. FMost of the time, the protagonist of any story will fit some or all of the “hero” characteristics. FGenerally, the hero is the hero because he or she embarks on the archetypal “Hero’s Quest” FThe hero archetype is the most important character archetype. FThe hero is also the most complicated. FMost of the time, the protagonist of any story will fit some or all of the “hero” characteristics. FGenerally, the hero is the hero because he or she embarks on the archetypal “Hero’s Quest”

Characteristics of the Hero FThe circumstances surrounding the characters conception or birth are unusual. FAn attempt is made to kill the hero at birth. FEarly in his life, he is taken away and raised by foster parents. FUpon reaching adulthood, he returns home, where his true identity is discovered. FAfter a victory over an evil force, (monster, beast, villain, etc.), he marries a princess (or other important lady), and becomes king (or gains other important position). FThe circumstances surrounding the characters conception or birth are unusual. FAn attempt is made to kill the hero at birth. FEarly in his life, he is taken away and raised by foster parents. FUpon reaching adulthood, he returns home, where his true identity is discovered. FAfter a victory over an evil force, (monster, beast, villain, etc.), he marries a princess (or other important lady), and becomes king (or gains other important position).

Characteristics of the Hero Continued FLater, he loses favor with the gods or fate. FHe is driven away and meets a mysterious death, often at the top of a hill. FHis body is not buried, but he often has numerous tombs or monuments. FLater, he loses favor with the gods or fate. FHe is driven away and meets a mysterious death, often at the top of a hill. FHis body is not buried, but he often has numerous tombs or monuments.

The Archetypal Hero’s Quest FEvery Hero embarks on the Hero’s quest. FIn many ways, this quest defines the character, and is usually represented in the movie, book, comic, oral tale, or TV show we watch. FEvery Hero embarks on the Hero’s quest. FIn many ways, this quest defines the character, and is usually represented in the movie, book, comic, oral tale, or TV show we watch.

The Hero’s Quest FThe Call The character is given the opportunity to go into the world on an adventure FMay not accept. FThe person or event that begins the call is called the herald. FThe task is the thing the hero must do to complete the quest. FThe Call The character is given the opportunity to go into the world on an adventure FMay not accept. FThe person or event that begins the call is called the herald. FThe task is the thing the hero must do to complete the quest. FCrossing Over This is the point where the character enters the adventure, entering the unknown. This world is where the hero endures his trials. FCrossing Over This is the point where the character enters the adventure, entering the unknown. This world is where the hero endures his trials.

The Tests and Trials FThere are a series of tests, tasks, or ordeals that the person must go through to begin his or her transformation into the hero. FTests are obstacles that must be solved. FTrials are ordeals that simply must be endured. FThe “Ultimate Battle” is the final test when the hero must defeat an evil foe of great power. FThere are a series of tests, tasks, or ordeals that the person must go through to begin his or her transformation into the hero. FTests are obstacles that must be solved. FTrials are ordeals that simply must be endured. FThe “Ultimate Battle” is the final test when the hero must defeat an evil foe of great power.

The Return Home FThe return home begins when the hero emerges from the “underworld.” FThe hero may rejoin his family and continue his original way of life, he is forever changed by his ordeal. FThe hero has to remember the lessons he learned on his journey and apply them to everyday life. FThis is where the majority of modern hero tales end, but the traditional Hero’s Quest continues... FThe return home begins when the hero emerges from the “underworld.” FThe hero may rejoin his family and continue his original way of life, he is forever changed by his ordeal. FThe hero has to remember the lessons he learned on his journey and apply them to everyday life. FThis is where the majority of modern hero tales end, but the traditional Hero’s Quest continues...

The Gifts FThe gift is whatever reward is given or earned by completing the hero’s quest. It is why the person went on the journey.

The Transformation FThis may mean the character achieves balance between the material and the spiritual. The character has become comfortable and confident in both worlds.

Types of Heroes FThere are several versions or types of heroes in literature, books, movies, and all forms of human expression.

The Young Man from the Provinces FThe hero is taken away as a young man. FHe is raised by strangers. FHe later returns to his home where he is a stranger and can see new problems and new solutions. FThe hero is taken away as a young man. FHe is raised by strangers. FHe later returns to his home where he is a stranger and can see new problems and new solutions.

The Initiates FThese are young heroes or heroines who, before their quest, must endure some training or ceremony. FThey are usually innocent and often wear white. FThese are young heroes or heroines who, before their quest, must endure some training or ceremony. FThey are usually innocent and often wear white.

Mentors FMentors serve as teachers or counselors to the heroes. FSometimes they work as role models. FSometimes they serve as a father or mother figure. FMentors serve as teachers or counselors to the heroes. FSometimes they work as role models. FSometimes they serve as a father or mother figure.

Father-Son Conflict FConflict resulting from separation during childhood. FThe individuals meet as men and have conflicting beliefs. FOften, the mentor has a higher place in the affections of the hero than the father. FConflict resulting from separation during childhood. FThe individuals meet as men and have conflicting beliefs. FOften, the mentor has a higher place in the affections of the hero than the father.

Example - Superman

Hunting Group of Companions FLoyal companions willing to face any number of perils in order to be together.

The Loyal Retainer FSomewhat like a servant, but is heroic himself. FMust protect the hero and reflect the nobility of the hero. FSomewhat like a servant, but is heroic himself. FMust protect the hero and reflect the nobility of the hero.

Friendly Beasts FThese animals accompany the hero on his or her quest. FThey show that the natural world is on the side of the hero. FThese animals accompany the hero on his or her quest. FThey show that the natural world is on the side of the hero.

The Devil Figure FTotally evil FOffers worldly goods, fame, or knowledge in exchange for the possession of the soul. FWishes to corrupt the protagonist, and thereby destroy him or her. FTotally evil FOffers worldly goods, fame, or knowledge in exchange for the possession of the soul. FWishes to corrupt the protagonist, and thereby destroy him or her.

Evil Figure with a Good Heart FThis character starts as an evil character, but is ultimately saved by the hero’s love or nobility. FMakes a turn around by the end of the story. FThis character starts as an evil character, but is ultimately saved by the hero’s love or nobility. FMakes a turn around by the end of the story.

The Scapegoat FAn animal or, more usually, a human who is blamed for the ills of a society or community and is killed in order to remove the problem. FIs not the real source of the problem. FIs often a more powerful force in the society after death than when he or she was alive. FAn animal or, more usually, a human who is blamed for the ills of a society or community and is killed in order to remove the problem. FIs not the real source of the problem. FIs often a more powerful force in the society after death than when he or she was alive.

The Outcast FA figure who is banished from a social group for a crime against his fellow man. The outcast is usually destined to become a wanderer from place to place.

The Creature of Nightmare FA monster usually summoned from the deepest, darkest part of the human mind. FThreatens the life of the hero/heroine. FOften is a perversion or desecration of the human body. FA monster usually summoned from the deepest, darkest part of the human mind. FThreatens the life of the hero/heroine. FOften is a perversion or desecration of the human body.

The Earth Mother FSymbolic of fruition, abundance, and fertility. FTraditionally offers spiritual and emotional guidance to the hero or heroine. FOften shown in earth colors with large breasts and hips. FSymbolic of fruition, abundance, and fertility. FTraditionally offers spiritual and emotional guidance to the hero or heroine. FOften shown in earth colors with large breasts and hips.

The Temptress FSensuous Beauty FPhysically attractive to the protagonist FUltimately brings about his downfall FSensuous Beauty FPhysically attractive to the protagonist FUltimately brings about his downfall

The Platonic Ideal FThis woman is a source of inspiration and spiritual ideal FProtagonist or author has an intellectual rather than a physical attraction. FThis woman is a source of inspiration and spiritual ideal FProtagonist or author has an intellectual rather than a physical attraction.

The Unfaithful Wife FA woman married to a man she sees as dull or distant FIs attracted to a more virile or interesting man. FA woman married to a man she sees as dull or distant FIs attracted to a more virile or interesting man.

The Damsel in Distress FA vulnerable woman who must be rescued by the hero. FShe is often used to trap or ensnare the unsuspecting hero. FA vulnerable woman who must be rescued by the hero. FShe is often used to trap or ensnare the unsuspecting hero.

The Star-Crossed Lovers FThese two characters are engaged in a love affair that is fated to end tragically because of the disapproval of society, friends, family, or some other tragic situation.

Can you find them? FFor the next few weeks, try to identify character archetypes in television shows, movies, books, and anywhere else you may look. FWe’ll be using this information to identify character archetypes in literature in the future, so hang on to it! FNEXT - Symbolic and Situational Archetypes! FFor the next few weeks, try to identify character archetypes in television shows, movies, books, and anywhere else you may look. FWe’ll be using this information to identify character archetypes in literature in the future, so hang on to it! FNEXT - Symbolic and Situational Archetypes!