Archetypes

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Definition of archetype:  An archetype is a term used to describe universal symbols that evoke deep and sometimes unconscious responses in a reader  In literature, regardless of when or where they live, the following are considered archetypes, because they symbolically embody universal meanings and basic human experiences: characters, images, and themes.

3 Different Practical Archetypes 1. Situation Archetype 2. Character Archetype 3. Symbolic Archetype

Situation Archetypes  The Quest  The Journey  The Task  The Initiation  The Fall  Death and Rebirth  The Battle between Good & Evil  Safe Haven vs. Wilderness  Supernatural Intervention

The Quest  the search for someone or something (a talisman) which, when found and brought back, will restore fertility to a wasted land, the desolation of which is mirrored by a leader’s illness and disability.  Note : “fertility” does not necessarily mean “reproduction” or “fruitfulness.” It can and often does mean prosperity, peace, harmony..

The Journey The journey sends the hero in search for some truth or information necessary to restore fertility to the kingdom. a. T he hero descends into a real or psychological torment. b. He is forced to discover or face the blackest truths about himself (usually). c. He accepts responsibility for his faults and acknowledges his mistakes. d. He returns to the world of the living.

The Task  To save the kingdom, to win the fair lady, to identify himself so that he may resume his rightful position, the hero must perform some nearly superhuman deed.  This differs from the Quest in that in the Quest, the ultimate goal is to restore fertility; here the goal is to gain something (power, the girl, wealth, etc.)

The Initiation This usually takes the form of an initiation into adult life. The adolescent comes into his or her own maturity with new awareness and problems along with new hope for the community. This awakening is often the climax of the story. It does parallel the Ritual.

The Fall This archetype describes a descent from a higher state of being to a lower state of being. The experience involves a defilement and/or a loss of innocence and bliss. The fall is often accompanied by an expulsion from a kind of paradise as penalty for disobedience and moral transgression.

Death & Rebirth This is the most common of all situational archetypes. It is the parallel between the cycle of nature and the cycle of life. Thus, morning and springtime represent birth, youth, or rebirth; evening and winter suggest old age or death.

The Battle Between Good & Evil Obviously, the battle between two primal forces. Mankind shows eternal optimism in the continual portrayal of good triumphing over evil despite great odds.

Safe Haven vs. Wilderness  Places of safety contrast sharply against the dangerous wilderness. Heroes are often sheltered for a time to regain health and resources.

Supernatural Intervention  The gods intervene on the side of the hero or sometimes against him.

Character Archetype  The Hero  The Initiates  The Mentor  Father-Son Conflict  Loyal Retainers  Devil Figure  Woman Figure  The Scapegoat  Outcast

The Hero  The courageous figure, the one who’s always running in and saving the day.

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The Initiates  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.

The Mentor  These individuals serve as teachers or counselors to the initiates.  Sometimes they work as role models and often serve as father or mother figure.

Father – Son Conflict  Tension often results from separation during childhood or from an external source when the individuals meet as men and where the mentor often has a higher place in the affections of the hero than the natural parent.

Loyal Retainers  These individuals are like the noble sidekicks to the hero. Their duty is to protect the hero. Often the retainer reflects the hero's nobility.

Devil Figure  This character represents evil incarnate. He or she may offer worldly goods, fame, or knowledge to the protagonist in exchange for possession of the soul or integrity. This figure's main aim is to oppose the hero in his or her quest.

Woman Figure  Shrew: This is that nagging, bothersome wife always battering her husband with verbal abuse.  Temptress: Characterized by sensuous beauty, she is one whose physical attraction may bring about the hero's downfall.  Damsel in Distress: This vulnerable woman must be rescued by the hero. She also may be used as a trap, by an evil figure, to ensnare the hero.

The Scapegoat  Scapegoat: The scapegoat figure is one who gets blamed for everything, regardless of whether he/she is actually at fault. (i.e. Snowball in Animal Farm )

The Outcast  The outcast is just that. He or she has been cast out of a society or has left it on a voluntary basis. The outcast figure can oftentimes be considered as a Christ figure.

Symbolic Archetypes  Shapes  Colors  Nature  Animals  Numbers

Shapes  Circle (Sphere)—wholeness, unity  Egg (Oval)—the mystery of life and the forces of regeneration

Colors  Red—love, sacrifice, hate, evil, anger, violent passion, sin, blood, disorder  Green— birth / death, fertility, luck, hope, jealousy, decay, greed  Blue— sadness, spiritual purity, truth, religious feelings of security  Black— power, doom, death, darkness, mystery, primal wisdom, unconscious evil  White— purity, innocence, death, terror, supernatural, blinding truth

Nature  Water is a symbol of life, cleansing, and rebirth— represents the mystery of creation Examples: Sea —spiritual mystery and infinity; timelessness and eternity River — death / rebirth (baptism), flowing of time into eternity, transitional phases of the life cycle  The Sun Represents energy, creativity, thinking, enlightenment, wisdom, spiritual vision, the passing of time, and life Examples: Rising Sun —Birth and Creation Setting Sun —Death

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

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