The Hero’s Quest

 An archetype is a universal symbolic pattern. ( There can be archetypal characters and archetypal stories. Some examples: CharactersStories The tricksterThe underworld The wise old man / sageThe apocalypse The great motherA paradise The evil one (devil / Satan)The great flood

 Pair up with a partner and try to find an example of each character archetype. CharactersStories The tricksterThe underworld The wise old man / sageThe apocalypse The great motherA paradise The evil one (devil / Satan)The great flood (Five minutes, then we’ll share)

 Now that we have a few examples of how different stories and characters represent common archetypes, any ideas on why this happens?

 World famous mythologist.  His cross-cultural studies of ancient people allowed him to conclude that different cultures had similar myths, or archetypes.  He further concluded that there was an archetypal plot line, or formula, within these myths which remained constant from one culture to the next.

 According to Campbell, “A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man. ” From The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Princeton: Princeton University Press, p.23.

CampbellStar WarsThe Matrix I: Departure The call to adventurePrincess Leia's message"Follow the white rabbit" Refusal of the callMust help with the harvestNeo won't climb out window Supernatural aidObi-wan rescues Luke from sandpeople Trinity extracts the "bug" from Neo Crossing the first threshold Escaping TatooineNeo is taken out of the Matrix for the first time The belly of the whaleTrash compactorTorture room Adapted from

Part II: Initiation The road of trialsLightsaber practiceSparring with Morpheus The meeting with the goddess Princess Leia (wears white, in earlier scripts was a "sister" of a mystic order) The Oracle Temptation away from the true path 1 Luke is tempted by the Dark Side Cypher (the failed messiah) is tempted by the world of comfortable illusions Atonement with the FatherDarth and Luke reconcileNeo rescues and comes to agree (that he's The One) with his father-figure, Morpheus Apotheosis (becoming god- like) Luke becomes a JediNeo becomes The One The ultimate boonDeath Star destroyedHumanity's salvation now within reach

III: Return Refusal of the return"Luke, come on!" Luke wants to stay to avenge Obi-Wan Neo fights agent instead of running The magic flightMillennium Falcon"Jacking in" Rescue from withoutHan saves Luke from Darth Trinity saves Neo from agents Crossing the return threshold Millennium Falcon destroys pursuing TIE fighters Neo fights Agent Smith Master of the two worldsVictory ceremonyNeo's declares victory over machines in final phone call Freedom to liveRebellion is victorious over Empire Humans are victorious over machines

Common Archetypal Elements Two Worlds (mundane and special) Planetside vs. The Death Star Reality vs. The Matrix The MentorObi-Wan KenobiMorpheus The OracleYodaThe Oracle The ProphecyLuke will overthrow the Emperor Morpheus will find (and Trinity will fall for) "The One“ Wearing Enemy's Skin Luke and Han wear stormtrooper outfits Neo jumps into agent's skin

 Archetypes are universal patterns.  They have developed over time, in different cultures and areas of the world, because we make sense and understand the world in similar ways.

 As we read different stories and examine different characters, look for archetypal characters and stories.  When you identify one, ask yourself the following questions: 1. What name would you give this archetype? (Hero, villain, trickster, sage, etc.) Support with evidence. 2. How do they compare to other forms of the same archetype? 3. How did the author convince you that this particular character or story was an archetype? (Events in plot, interaction with other characters, etc.)