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Published byArthur Jones Modified over 9 years ago
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Archetypes are…… Original models on which something is patterned or based Standard, typical examples Universal- they cross genres, generations, languages and cultures “Paradigms”
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Provide a framework to understand any piece of fiction To understand the author’s purpose and characters’ motivations better We study Archetypes to:
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In literature archetypes occur as: Characters Colors Settings or Locations Themes Numbers Archetypes of Literature
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Hero Villain Fair Maiden Mentor or Sage Sidekick Joker or Fool Temptress The Archetypal Characters
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HERO can either be male or female (in western literature, the hero is more often male) Must go on a quest to conquer evil Often has a tragic flaw, such as hubris or excessive pride Usually superior to common people in three ways: 1. Morally 2. Mentally 3. Physically But, The Archetypal Hero
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Can be physically inferior--Quasimodo, the Phantom, Dare Devil, and still be a hero. Can be mentally inferior--Charlie from Flowers for Algernon and still be a hero. HOWEVER, a hero cannot be morally inferior. Moral superiority allows him to fight the villain, allowing good to triumph over evil Can you think of a hero from literature or movie? The Archetypal Hero
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Birth/Childhood Preparation or training Quest Triumphant Return or Death The Four Stages of a Hero’s Life
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Usually dark or wearing dark clothing Is the person the hero must battle in his search for himself Is the person the hero must defeat to conquer evil. Examples: Darth Vader, He-Who-Must- Not-Be-Named Can you think of any other villains? Character Type - Villain
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Character Type - Fair Maiden/Love Interest Archetypal Fair Maiden is: The romantic focus of the hero and/or the villain The victim who must be saved from evil. Pure and innocent of the world’s evil ways. The “damsel in distress”
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Archetypal Mentor: Is the one who prepares the hero for the journey or quest Is the person who provides the lessons the hero uses during the quest and ultimate battle Has lessons that provide moral strength Is also called The Sage or Wiseman May give up his life or make sacrifice to save another or save the cause Can you think of any Mentors? Character Type - Mentor
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Archetypal Sidekick and/or Henchmen: Often adds humor or “warm fuzzies” Supports or is the best friend of the hero/villain Can you think of any sidekick examples? Character Type: Sidekick
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Siren/Seductress/Temptress: Characterized by sensuous beauty, she is one whose physical attraction may bring about the hero's downfall. Fool: Provides Comic relief to an often over-dramatic plot. Is funny, plays tricks, but is not malicious. Other Character Types
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Archetypal colors get their meanings or symbolism through their existence in the natural environment. The colors may have positive or negative meanings Archetypal Colors and Symbols
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RED comes from blood symbolizes passion (both love and anger) symbolizes courage, violence Valentine’s Day associated with sin (scarlet woman) Colors
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BLACK Symbolizes evil: The villain, fear, coldness, scary things of the night Death Sin Positive: Elegance, sleekness, simplicity Colors
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BLUE Symbolizes peace, tranquility Think of the sky, or still water Colors
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GOLD / YELLOW Symbols of gods and royalty Think of the sun Created in awe of people--wealth Think of the precious metal ore Fullness of life, ripeness, harvest Colors
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GREEN Symbolizes growth, life and fertility Think of spring Freshness Renewal Vegetation myths (their gods were little Jolly Green Giants--of the earth--rejuvenation each spring) Negatives: Jealousy, inexperience Colors
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PURPLE Royalty Purple dye is hardest to process, only the wealthy could afford it. Wisdom, valor Negative: bruising, rotten Colors
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Archetypal Themes Think of themes of Disney Movies, “Star Wars,” cartoons, comic books with heroes and villains, legends and myths. The bad deserve to lose, the good should always win, the power of love should be stronger than the power of hate. Used in literature to express the need “to set the universe on the right course.”
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The Big Ones: Love conquers all Good will triumph over evil Hate, if victorious, will destroy all Treat others how you would like to be treated Archetypal Themes
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Setting includes time, place, and atmosphere Pay attention to the time of day a story takes place. Settings are carefully chosen by the author to emphasize point of story DAY=Good things, rational things NIGHT=Bad things, lack of understanding What does the setting “It was a dark and stormy night” make you think of? Archetypal Settings
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Archetypal Numbers 3 - light, spiritual awareness, unity (the Holy Trinity) 4 - associated with the circle, life cycle, four seasons; female principle, earth, nature, elements. 7 - the most potent of all symbolic numbers signifying the union of three and four, the completion of a cycle, perfect order, perfect number; religious symbol.
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Authors use archetypes to tell us something about the story without being too obvious. They use these people, colors, settings and theme to help us to infer what is supposed to happen. How can we use archetypes to become better readers? And so….
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