What should I know before I read The Odyssey?

The Archetypes Describes the function or role the characters play in a story. Think of an Archetype as a mask a character wears. In a story, characters may change masks with other characters from time to time. The following slides list the Archetypes that occur most frequently and their functions.

Archetypes The Hero (“to serve and sacrifice”) Purpose is to separate and sacrifice self for the service of the Journey Does not have to be all good (antiheroes, outlaws, loner heroes) Grows or learns the most during the Journey We experience the journey through the eyes of the hero.

Archetypes The Mentor (“to guide”) The Mentor provides motivation, insight, training, guidance Has traveled the road before May provide the hero with magical gifts

Archetypes The Threshold Guardian (“to test”) Protects the Special World and its secrets from the Hero Provides Tests which the Hero must pass to prove commitment and worth May be characters, objects, or forces Once the hero overcomes the TG, they’ve acquired new power (especially if they make the TG an ally)

Archetypes The Herald (“to warn and challenge”) Issues challenges or announces the coming of significant change Often appears at the beginning of the Journey Plays a minor role—one character may act as the Herald, as well as another archetype

Archetypes The Shapeshifter (“to question and deceive”) Misleads the Hero by hiding a character’s intentions and loyalties Presence causes doubts and questions in the Hero’s mind Adds interest and creates suspense in a story Which side will the shapeshifter ultimately end up on?

Archetypes The Shadow (“to destroy”) Inverse of the mentor Think Harry Potter and Voldemort Both of them had similar upbringings and magical abilities Reacted in totally opposite ways: Voldemort destroyed the world around him, whereas Harry created his own family amongst friends Represents our darkest or rejected desires Symbolizes our greatest fears and phobias May not be all bad

Archetypes The Trickster (“to disrupt”) Disrupts the “status quo”, turning the Ordinary World into chaos Uses laughter to help the Hero see the absurdity of a situation Often is the Hero’s sidekick They may not change, but they cause change within the world

Archetypes The Ally (“to help”) Companion to the hero Helps the hero with tasks that are too much for one person Shows faithful support Often carries on clever banter with the hero Adds interest for the audience