1. Describe your favorite movie.

2. Archetypes

3. An Archetype is an original model or
type after which other similar things
are patterned.
Frankenstein
and Dracula are
examples
of many horror
story archetypes

4. In literature or movies an archetype is a symbol, story, pattern, or character type that recurs frequently and brings strong associations in the reader.
For example, the wicked witch and the enchanted prince are character types in a lot of folk tales and literature. The story of a hero who undertakes a dangerous quest is the story of someone who is looking for something.
A symbol is something that represents something in itself but also represents something with a deeper meaning.
Circle stories are one of the most common patterns. Circle stories begin and end in the same place. They involve a journey that may or may not be physical. Books about time travel, journeys, adventures, dreams, entering other worlds, and self-acceptance are often circle stories.

5. All stories with archetypal characters must
have the following properties:
Primordial - existing from the beginning
of time
Universal – common to all cultures
Recurring – occurring over and over again

6. Archetypal patterns are evident in Literature and movies.
As you take notes, think of movies
and literature that contain these patterns

7. There are three main archetypal Patterns which are evident
in literature.
Situation - where a “hero” takes a
“full circle” journey
Characters - types of characters who play
an important part in the hero’s journey
Symbolic – where symbols or objects
stand for something else

8. Archetypal Situations

9. Characteristics of Situation Archetypes
The Quest
The search for someone or some object that will restore fertility to a wasted land
In “The Chronicles of Narnia” the children search for Aslan to bring life back to Narnia

10. Arthur must pull the sword out of the stone to assume his position as king.
The Task
The hero must perform some deed so that he can assume his rightful position in life.

11. The maturing of the hero during the quest
The Initiation
The maturing of the hero during the quest

12. The Journey consists of three parts.
The search that the hero must take in order to restore fertility to his kingdom

13. Gandalf separates Bilbo from the group.
Separation – the hero is physically, mentally, or spiritually separated from others.
Usually a hero goes through a dark, trial period during this time.
Gandalf separates Bilbo from the group.

14. Usually during this time the hero has to face his own faults.
Transformation- The hero goes through a transformation or change and becomes what he should be.
Usually during this time the hero has to face his own faults.
I have overcome my fears

15. Bilbo restores peace to Middle Earth and returns to Hobbiton.
Return- The hero returns to his home or village and then takes charge.

16. The Hero’s Situation

17. The Unhealable Wound- can be either physical or physiological and can never be fully healed.
Achilles was dipped in the river Styx in infancy, making him invulnerable to attack, except on his heel.

18. The Fall- The hero “falls” to a lower state of being, usually from disobedience.
Achilles was a wild child and sent to study under Chiron, a centaur (half man, half animal), whom he eventually disobeyed.

19. The Magic Weapon- the extraordinary gift or quality that a hero posses
The Magic Weapon- the extraordinary gift or quality that a hero posses. No one else can use it to its full potential.
Remember Arthur’s sword Excalibur?

20. Other Situational Archetypes
Death and Rebirth
This is the most common situational archetype mirroring the cycle of life with death and rebirth.
Think about the “Circle Of Life” in The Lion King.

21. Dinosaurs in Jurassic Park are a good example.
Nature versus the Mechanical World
Nature is good and
science, technology, society are bad.
(The Terminator and Jurassic Park)

22. We hope that Aslan can defeat the White Witch in the Battle
Good vs. Evil
Hope of optimism for good to triumph over evil despite great conflict

23. The Ritual Ceremonies that mark a hero’s rite of passage.
The Presentation
of Simba and then
later his cub to the
animal kingdom.

24. ‘Not Another Teen Movie”
This movie basically
makes fun of the
archetypes that you
see repeatedly in
teen movies.