The Archetypal Hero

What Do Luke Skywalker, Simba, King Arthur, Moses, Wonder Woman, William Wallace, & Optimus Prime all have in common?

ANSWER: They are all Archetypal Heroes

But what is an Archetype? And what does it have to do with Heroes?

Let’s start with the two guys who came up with the concept: Carl Jung Joseph Campbell

A recurring pattern of images, situations, or symbols found in the mythology, religion, art, and dreams of cultures around the world. Archetype:

Okay, so what exactly characterizes an Archetypal Hero then? –And what does this have to do with the characters mentioned?

Traits of the Archetypal Hero Unusual Circumstances of Birth Leaves Family and Lives With Others Traumatic Event Leads to Quest Special Weapon Supernatural Help

Unusual Birth Often in danger or born into royalty…

Leaves Family Raised away from… -or separated from home

Traumatic Event The hero’s life is changed forever…

Special Weapon Only the hero can wield it…

Supernatural Help -The hero often has spiritual/magical guidance

Proves self on Quest Journey and Suffers a wound that cannot be healed Is not recognized upon return because of disguise, deception, or change in form or manner Atonement With Father Loves and admires a beautiful lady Prepared to fight or die at any moment More Heroic Traits…

Proves Him or Herself The hero performs heroic feats…

Journey & Unhealable Wound Hero descends into a hell- like area and suffers wounding from an encounter with evil

Atonement With Father The hero either redeems father’s evil deeds or reconciles with father over wrongs done by the hero

Ready to fight or die at any moment Chooses the short, glorious life of battle or the long life of the maturing journey

Aha! –But not all of these characters have all of the characteristics!

That’s okay. -They don’t really have to… As long as a hero displays several of these characteristics, he/she, is in the club!

Now, can you think of any other Archetypal Heroes?

Davis, Bryan M. "The Archetypal Hero in Literature, Religion, Movies, and Popular Culture." 11 Oct Stephen F. Austin University. (07/07/2009). < Nilsen, Alleen P., & Donelson, Kenneth L. Literature for Today’s Young Adults, 8 th ed. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc References