Archetypes & the Archetypal Journey

Definition  Original models, images, characters, or patterns that recur throughout literature consistently enough to be considered a universal concept or situation

Background: Leading Researchers  Joseph Campbell  Mythologist  Author of “The Hero with a Thousand Faces”  Myths from all over the world seem to be built from the same ‘elementary ideas’  Demonstrates that all stories are expressions of the same story-pattern, which he named the "Hero's Journey" or the "monomyth"

Background: Leading Researchers  Carl Jung  Swiss Psychiatrist  Defined the ‘elementary ideas’ as archetypes  the building blocks not only of the unconscious mind, but of a collective unconscious  In other words, Jung believed that everyone in the world is born with the same basic subconscious model of what a "hero" is or a "quest," and that's why people who don't even speak the same language can enjoy the same stories

Background: Function of Mythology  Identifies four functions of mythology (Campbell)  to instill in us a sense of awe, humility, and respect at the wonder of the universe  to provide an understanding of the world according to the knowledge of the time  to support the social order through rites and rituals or to provide individuals with moral justifications to challenge the existing state of things  to guide the individual through the psychological crises of life

Background: Function of Mythology  Citizens learn what is good and praiseworthy and what is not; what is beautiful and valuable and what is not; what is true and right and what is not  These understandings are the bedrock upon which societies, religions, and individual lives are built

Joseph Campbell’s Heroic Journey  Stage 1: Birth  Somehow unusual due to linage or circumstances in upbringing  Stage 2: Call to Adventure  Is lured or goes willingly away due to some noble cause  Stage 3: Crossing the Threshold  Enters lands unknown

Joseph Campbell’s Heroic Journey  Stage 4: Helpers  Other humans, animals, or creatures assist the hero  Stage 5: Magical Aid  Receives or finds a special weapon  Stage 6: Tests  Is challenged by various enemies or hostile surroundings, and gains strength and wisdom

Joseph Campbell’s Heroic Journey  Stage 7: Supreme Ordeal  Ultimate test of wit and courage that threatens the hero’s life  Stage 8: Return Home  Stage 9: Gift to the World  Brings some reward to help in the life thereafter

Common Archetypes  Colors  Black- darkness, mystery, the unknown, death, evil  White- light, purity, innocence, timelessness  Seasons  Spring- rebirth  Summer- life  Fall- death/ dying  Winter- without life/ death  Locations  Garden- paradise, innocence, unspoiled beauty  Desert- lack of spiritual life, death, hopelessness

Common Archetypes  Symbols  Serpent- evil, corruption, sensuality, destruction  Tree- growth, symbol of immortality  Sun  Rising sun- birth, creation, enlightenment  Setting sun- death  Characters  Hero  Often the heart of a story is not the obstacles he faces, but the new wisdom he acquires, from a mentor, a lover, or even from the villain.  The hero can be an innocent, a wanderer, a martyr, a warrior, a vengeful destroyer, a ruler, or a fool. But the essence of the hero is the sacrifice he makes to achieve his goal.

Common Archetypes  Characters  Mentor  The mentor is a character who aids or trains the hero  The essence of the mentor is the wise old man or woman  The other major role of the mentor is to equip the hero by giving him/ her a gift or gifts which are important in the quest  Threshold Guardian  The threshold guardian is the first obstacle to the hero in his journey  The threshold is the gateway to the new world the hero must enter to change and grow  The role of the threshold guardian is to test the hero's mettle and worthiness to begin the story's journey and to show that the journey will not be easy  The hero will encounter the guardian early in the story, usually right after the start of the quest

Common Archetypes  Characters  Herald  The role of the herald is to announce the challenge which begins the hero on his journey  The herald is the person or piece of information which upsets the sleepy equilibrium in which the hero has lived and starts the adventure  The herald need not be a person. It can be an event or force: the start of a war, a drought or famine, or even an ad in a newspaper  Shapeshifter  The shapeshifter changes role or personality, often in significant ways, and is hard to understand  The shapeshifter's alliances and loyalty are uncertain, and the sincerity of his claims is often questionable  The shapeshifter is often a person of the opposite sex, often the hero's romantic interest.  The hero often assumes the role of shapeshifter to get past an obstacle

Common Archetypes  Characters  Shadow  The Shadow archetype is a negative figure, representing things we don't like and would like to eliminate  The shadow often takes the form of the antagonist in a story  Trickster  The Trickster is a clown, a mischief maker. He provides the comedy relief that a story often needs to offset heavy dramatic tension  The trickster can be an ally or companion of the hero, or may work for the villain  In some instances the trickster may even be the hero or villain  In any role, the trickster usually represents the force of cunning, and is pitted against opponents who are stronger or more powerful.