Literary Archetypes Ms. Geller’s Sensational Sophomore World Lit Fall 2013

What is an archetype? An archetype is a term used to describe universal symbols that evoke deep and sometimes unconscious responses in a reader. An archetype is a term used to describe universal symbols that evoke deep and sometimes unconscious responses in a reader. In literature, characters, images, and themes that symbolically embody universal meanings and basic human experiences, regardless of when or where they live, are considered archetypes. In literature, characters, images, and themes that symbolically embody universal meanings and basic human experiences, regardless of when or where they live, are considered archetypes. Common literary archetypes include stories of quests, initiations, heroes, descents to the underworld, and ascents to heaven. Common literary archetypes include stories of quests, initiations, heroes, descents to the underworld, and ascents to heaven.

Common Character Archetypes The Hero: The courageous figure, the one who’s always running in and saving the day. The Hero: The courageous figure, the one who’s always running in and saving the day. (e.g. Odysseus, Harry Potter) Threshold Guardian: Protects the “Special World” and its secrets from the Hero; provides essential tests to prove the Hero’s commitment and worth. Threshold Guardian: Protects the “Special World” and its secrets from the Hero; provides essential tests to prove the Hero’s commitment and worth. (e.g. Rafiki from The Lion King ) Pirate/Cowboy: The rebel, nonconformist, revolutionary. Pirate/Cowboy: The rebel, nonconformist, revolutionary. (e.g. Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean) (e.g. Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean) Childlike Innocent: Has trust, faith, and optimism. Childlike Innocent: Has trust, faith, and optimism. (e.g. Russell from the movie Up ) The Earth Mother: symbolic of fruition, abundance, and fertility; this character often offers spiritual and emotional nourishment to those with whom she comes in contact. The Earth Mother: symbolic of fruition, abundance, and fertility; this character often offers spiritual and emotional nourishment to those with whom she comes in contact. (e.g. Gaia from Captain Planet)

The Damsel in Distress (Princess): A vulnerable woman who needs to be rescued by the hero. The Damsel in Distress (Princess): A vulnerable woman who needs to be rescued by the hero.(e.g.______________________) The Villain: Most often the antagonist. This archetype is typically the nemesis of the hero. The Villain: Most often the antagonist. This archetype is typically the nemesis of the hero.(e.g.______________________) The Mentor/Sage: The figure who plays a teacher/advisor’s role to the hero. The Mentor/Sage: The figure who plays a teacher/advisor’s role to the hero.(e.g.______________________) The Sidekick: The figure who is often an aide/friend to the hero and often accompanies the hero on his journey. The Sidekick: The figure who is often an aide/friend to the hero and often accompanies the hero on his journey.(e.g.______________________) The Monster: Unnatural, strange, mystical beasts; hostile to people; can be judged as good/evil. (e.g. Cyclops, Wicked Witch of the West) The Monster: Unnatural, strange, mystical beasts; hostile to people; can be judged as good/evil. (e.g. Cyclops, Wicked Witch of the West) Jester: clown or fool; not serious; helps to lighten the mood. Jester: clown or fool; not serious; helps to lighten the mood.(e.g.______________________)

Situational Archetypes The Task: A situation in which a character, or group of characters, is driven to complete some duty often of monstrous proportion. (e.g. Frodo’s task to keep the ring safe in The Lord of the Rings) The Task: A situation in which a character, or group of characters, is driven to complete some duty often of monstrous proportion. (e.g. Frodo’s task to keep the ring safe in The Lord of the Rings) The Quest: Here, the character(s) are searching for something, whether consciously or unconsciously. Their actions, thoughts, and feelings center around the goal of completing the quest. (e.g.Shrek ) The Quest: Here, the character(s) are searching for something, whether consciously or unconsciously. Their actions, thoughts, and feelings center around the goal of completing the quest. (e.g.Shrek ) The Loss of Innocence: This is, as the name implies, a loss of innocence through sexual experience, violence, or any other means. The Loss of Innocence: This is, as the name implies, a loss of innocence through sexual experience, violence, or any other means. The Initiation: This is the process by which a character is brought into another sphere of influence, usually (in literature) into adulthood. The Initiation: This is the process by which a character is brought into another sphere of influence, usually (in literature) into adulthood.

Common Image Archetypes Certain images that recur in myths and other genres of literature often have a common meaning or tend to elicit comparable psychological responses and to serve similar cultural functions. Certain images that recur in myths and other genres of literature often have a common meaning or tend to elicit comparable psychological responses and to serve similar cultural functions. Water Water Sun Sun Colors Colors Shapes, numbers, & other objects Shapes, numbers, & other objects

Water a symbol of life, cleansing, and rebirth— represents the mystery of creation or a symbol of sadness a symbol of life, cleansing, and rebirth— represents the mystery of creation or a symbol of sadnessExamples: Sea—spiritual mystery and infinity; timelessness and eternity Rain = rebirth, transition, or sadness Going underwater & coming back up (river, lake, sea, etc.) = rebirth (like a baptism)

Sun Represents energy, creativity, thinking, enlightenment, wisdom, spiritual vision, the passing of time, and life Represents energy, creativity, thinking, enlightenment, wisdom, spiritual vision, the passing of time, and lifeExamples: Rising Sun—Birth and Creation Setting Sun—Death

Colors Red—love, sacrifice, hate, evil, anger, violence passion, sin, blood, disorder, danger Red—love, sacrifice, hate, evil, anger, violence passion, sin, blood, disorder, danger Green—birth / death, fertility, luck, hope, jealousy, decay, greed Green—birth / death, fertility, luck, hope, jealousy, decay, greed Blue—sadness, spiritual purity, truth, religious feelings of security Blue—sadness, spiritual purity, truth, religious feelings of security Black—power, doom, death, darkness, mystery, primal wisdom, unconscious evil Black—power, doom, death, darkness, mystery, primal wisdom, unconscious evil White—purity, innocence, death, terror, supernatural, blinding truth White—purity, innocence, death, terror, supernatural, blinding truth Black/white checkered floor—fate (like a chess board) Black/white checkered floor—fate (like a chess board) Grey—uncertainty, ambiguity (blend of black/white) Grey—uncertainty, ambiguity (blend of black/white) Brown—earth, nature Brown—earth, nature Light vs. dark—good vs. evil, hope vs. despair, knowledge vs. ignorance Light vs. dark—good vs. evil, hope vs. despair, knowledge vs. ignorance

Shapes/Objects Circle (Sphere)—wholeness, unity Circle (Sphere)—wholeness, unity Egg (Oval)—the mystery of life and the forces of regeneration Egg (Oval)—the mystery of life and the forces of regeneration Mirrors: symbols of self-reflection and duality (2 sides/choices) Mirrors: symbols of self-reflection and duality (2 sides/choices)

Numbers Three (3)—represents unity, spiritual awareness, and light, 3 is considered a mystical number. Three (3)—represents unity, spiritual awareness, and light, 3 is considered a mystical number. Four (4)—cycle of life, (earth, water, fire, air) nature Four (4)—cycle of life, (earth, water, fire, air) nature Seven (7)—unity between 3 and 4, completion and perfect order Seven (7)—unity between 3 and 4, completion and perfect order

Animals Snake (serpent, worm)—evil, corruption, sensuality, destruction, wisdom, temptation Snake (serpent, worm)—evil, corruption, sensuality, destruction, wisdom, temptation Dark-colored bird (raven, hawk)—death, hate, corruption Dark-colored bird (raven, hawk)—death, hate, corruption Light-colored bird (dove)—peace, love, life Light-colored bird (dove)—peace, love, life