Archetypes

Archetypes An original model or type after which other similar things are patterned; a prototype. An original model or type after which other similar things are patterned; a prototype. Historically, people who had no contact with each other developed myths to explain natural phenomena to answer such questions why we die and why we are born. Historically, people who had no contact with each other developed myths to explain natural phenomena to answer such questions why we die and why we are born. They function similarly to symbols by providing shortcuts to understanding and relating to the theme of a story. They function similarly to symbols by providing shortcuts to understanding and relating to the theme of a story.

Characteristics of Archetypes They are the inherited part of being human – they connect us to our pasts, beyond our personal experience to a common source. They are the inherited part of being human – they connect us to our pasts, beyond our personal experience to a common source. They are universal – from the Roman Gladiator to the astronaut, they remain the same. They are universal – from the Roman Gladiator to the astronaut, they remain the same. They grow out of man’s social, psychological, and biological being. They grow out of man’s social, psychological, and biological being.

A Few Masculine Archetypes The Wild Man The Wild Man The King The King The Trickster/Fox The Trickster/Fox The Lover The Lover The Warrior The Warrior

A Few Feminine Archetypes The Great Mother The Great Mother The Stepmother/ Witch The Stepmother/ Witch The Crone The Crone The Femme Fatale The Femme Fatale The Harlot The Harlot The Victim Princess The Victim Princess

Other Archetypes The Child The Child The Victim The Victim The Guide The Guide The Fool The Fool The Mystic Wizard The Mystic Wizard The Vampire The Vampire

The Hero Archetype One of the most common archetypes is the Hero One of the most common archetypes is the Hero Tragic Tragic Epic Epic Folk Folk Romantic Romantic

The Tragic Hero The hero is of noble birth The hero is of noble birth The hero has a tragic flaw that leads to his downfall The hero has a tragic flaw that leads to his downfall There is a reversal of fortune brought about by the hero’s tragic flaw There is a reversal of fortune brought about by the hero’s tragic flaw The hero’s actions result in an increase of self- awareness The hero’s actions result in an increase of self- awareness The audience must feel pity and fear for this character The audience must feel pity and fear for this character

The Epic Hero Unusual circumstances surround the hero’s birth Unusual circumstances surround the hero’s birth The hero faces trials and enemies while struggling on an epic journey The hero faces trials and enemies while struggling on an epic journey The hero usually encounter a temptress who threatens the hero’s completion of the journey The hero usually encounter a temptress who threatens the hero’s completion of the journey At the end of the journey, the hero must complete a final task alone At the end of the journey, the hero must complete a final task alone When the final task is complete, the hero returns home, a leader of his people When the final task is complete, the hero returns home, a leader of his people

The Folk Hero The hero begins life as a normal person The hero begins life as a normal person The hero transforms into someone extraordinary by significant like events The hero transforms into someone extraordinary by significant like events The hero may be a defender of the common people against the oppression or corruption of the established power structure The hero may be a defender of the common people against the oppression or corruption of the established power structure The hero may live “outside of the law.” The hero may live “outside of the law.”

The Romantic Hero Developed during the European Romantic Era of the 18 th and 19 th centuries Developed during the European Romantic Era of the 18 th and 19 th centuries The hero rejects established norms and societal conventions The hero rejects established norms and societal conventions The hero has been rejected by society The hero has been rejected by society Other characteristics Other characteristics introspectivemisanthropy introspectivemisanthropy wanderlustalienation wanderlustalienation melancholyisolation melancholyisolation

Some Archetype Sampling Some Archetype Sampling

The Initiates These are young heroes or heroines who, prior to their quest, must endure some training and ceremony. These are young heroes or heroines who, prior to their quest, must endure some training and ceremony. They are usually innocent and often wear white. They are usually innocent and often wear white.

Mentors These individuals serve as teachers or counselors to the initiates. Sometimes they work as role models and often serve as father or mother figures.

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

Loyal Retainers Often these are servants Often these are servants May be heroic themselves. May be heroic themselves. Duty is to protect the hero and reflect the nobility of the hero. Duty is to protect the hero and reflect the nobility of the hero.

The Devil Figure Evil incarnate Evil incarnate Offers worldly goods, fame, or knowledge to the hero in exchange for possession of the soul. Offers worldly goods, fame, or knowledge to the hero in exchange for possession of the soul.

The Scapegoat A character whose death in a public ceremony atones for a fault that has been visited upon a Their death often makes them a more powerful force in the society than when they lived.

The Evil Figure with the Ultimately Good Heart A redeemable figure saved by the nobility or love of the hero. A redeemable figure saved by the nobility or love of the hero.

The Outcast A figure who is banished from a social group for some crime (real or imagined) against his fellow man. The Outcast is usually destined to become a wanderer from place to place.

The Star Crossed Lovers Characters are engaged in a love affair that is fated to end tragically

The Creature of Nightmare A monster usually summoned from the deepest, darkest part of the human psyche to threaten the lives of the hero/heroine.

The Fall This archetype describes a fall from a higher to a lower state of being. This archetype describes a fall from a higher to a lower state of being. This experience involves a defilement and/or loss of Innocence and Bliss. This experience involves a defilement and/or loss of Innocence and Bliss. The fall is often accompanied by the expulsion from paradise as a penalty for disobedience. The fall is often accompanied by the expulsion from paradise as a penalty for disobedience.

Death and Rebirth The most common of all situational archetypes, this motif grows out of the parallel between the cycle of nature and the cycle of life. For example, morning and springtime represent birth, youth, or rebirth; evening and winter suggest old age or death. The most common of all situational archetypes, this motif grows out of the parallel between the cycle of nature and the cycle of life. For example, morning and springtime represent birth, youth, or rebirth; evening and winter suggest old age or death.

Battle Between Good and Evil The battle between two primary forces. Mankind shows eternal optimism in the continual betrayal of good triumphing over evil despite great odds.