1. The Study of ARCHETYPES
10th Grade Literature
Mrs. Green

2. What is an archetype?
an image, character, story, symbol, situation, or pattern that has been used since the earliest times to represent a universal idea throughout all human cultures
a universal symbol (a symbol is a concrete object used to represent an abstract idea)

3. Who’s responsible for this?
The word is derived from the Greek “archetypos,” meaning “beginning or original pattern from which later things are made.”
The term was first used by the psychologist, Carl Jung, who spent much time studying people’s dreams as well as myths and legends from around the world.
He recognized similarities in the types of symbols and stories that humans recalled. These similarities led him to the conclusion that a “collective unconscious” existed – a collection of inherited stories and images that exist in the subconscious of every human being.

4. …but what does that all mean?
Basically, Carl Jung determined that people everywhere can recognize the same symbols, or the same archetypes, because they are concrete representations of universal human experiences.

5. Why study archetypes?
The study of archetypes can help you make the leap from literal to symbolic interpretation of a work of art, whether it be literature, a painting, or a film.
You’ve been studying archetypes throughout your entire life. You just didn’t know it!

6. Archetype Categories There are 3 main categories of archetypes.
Symbolic
Character
Situational

7. Symbolic Archetypes The underworld
What it represents
The underworld
The encounter with the dark side of the self, the fear of death
The wilderness
Passion, lawlessness, the subconscious, chaos (the happy forest, the haunted forest, the prairie/frontier, the jungle, the sea)
The river (water)
The stream of time and the flow of circumstance, purity regained, sin washed away, death, rebirth

8. Symbolic Archetypes (continued)
What it represents
The garden
Idyllic state of innocence, reconciliation and peace, harmony with nature, the imagination, childhood (the tree of life, the enchanted garden, the hidden garden – the self; sexuality)
The rock
The stony place of suffering
The desert
Place of purity, self-awareness, deprivation, solitude, loneliness, lonely quest for meaning
The crossroads
The place of decision, penance, self-denial

9. Symbolic Archetypes (continued)
What it represents
The maze or labyrinth
Puzzling dilemmas or great uncertainty, the search for the dangerous monster inside the self, journey to the heart of darkness
The winding stair
Arduous and dangerous way into the unknown
The wheel
Fortune, the circle of life, death and rebirth, cycle of nature
The castle
Strong place of safety, holds treasure or princess, may be enchanted
The tower
Strong place of evil or isolation of the self

10. Symbolic Archetypes (continued)
What it represents
Father - Son Conflict
In this relationship, the tension is built due to separation from childhood or some other source when the two meet as men
Star-crossed Lovers
Two characters engaged in a love affair fated to end tragically for one or both due to the disapproval of society, friends, family or some tragic situation
Light vs. Darkness
Light usually suggests hope, renewal, OR intellectual illumination; darkness implies the unknown, ignorance, or despair.
The magic weapon
The object the hero needs in order to complete his quest

11. Character Archetypes THE HERO
Characterized by self-sacrifice, heroes will endure separation and hardship for the sake of their people
Must pay a price to attain their goals

12. Common Characteristics of the hero archetype:
Born and raised in a rural setting away from cities
Is of mysterious origin or becomes orphaned at an early age and is raised by animals or a wise guardian
Has a mentor or teacher
Loves and admires a beautiful lady
Must go on a journey, learn a lesson, change in some way
Is special, one of a kind
Is helped by divine, supernatural forces
Struggles for something valuable or important
Has a loyal band of companions
Is prepared to fight or die at any moment

13. Character Archetypes The Mentor
Teaches a hero and gives him/her gifts (weapons, food, magic, information); can serve as the hero’s conscience
The Threshold Guardian
Tests the hero’s courage and worthiness to begin the journey
The Warrior
Noble champion; knight in shining armor
Companions
Loyal companions willing to face hardship and ordeal in order to stay together
The Trickster
The clown, mischief-maker, sometimes an ally or companion of the hero; represents the force of cunning pitted against opponents who are stronger or more powerful

14. Character Archetypes (continued)
The Traitor or Backstabber
The double-agent who betrays those who trust him most. Plots the destruction of friends.
The Outcast
The lonely outsider who wanders aimlessly hoping to belong
The Devil Figure
Evil incarnate (often, but not always, the villain)
The Shadow
The hero’s dark self or what he/she refuses to “see” within themselves; may appear as something or someone who is bad, fearsome, or despicable in some way
The Monster
The prince who has been turned into the beast; the double, the frightening side of nature
Evil Figure with the Ultimately Good Heart
A devil figure with the potential to be good. This person is usually saved by the love of the hero.

15. Character Archetypes (continued)
The Scapegoat
An animal, or more usually a human, whose death in a public ceremony resolves the sin of an entire community. They are often more powerful in death than in life.
The Platonic Ideal
A woman who is a source of inspiration to the hero, who has an intellectual rather that physical attractiveness about her.
Damsel in Distress
A vulnerable woman who needs to be rescued by the hero.
Earth Mother/Nurturer
Symbolic of fruition, abundance, and fertility. Offers spiritual and emotional nourishment.
Temptress/Siren/Black Goddess
Characterized by sensuous beauty. The hero is often attracted to her and she brings about his downfall. May appear as a witch or vampire.

16. The Hero’s Journey
Ordinary World: hero's normal life at the start of the story, before the adventure begins
Call to Adventure: hero is faced with something that makes them begin the adventure (might be a problem or a challenge they need to overcome)
Refusal or Acceptance of the Call: hero may initially refuse but will ultimately accept the call by force, chance, mistake or choice
Meeting the Mentor: encounters someone who can give advice and assistance, and ready the hero for the journey ahead
Supernatural Aid: help from a source beyond the natural world; a mentor, magic, divine intervention
Crossing the Threshold: hero leaves the ordinary world, entering the special world (sometimes by defeating the guardian of the threshold)
The Task: the action which heroes must perform in order to save the people
Allies: group of companions loyal to the hero; help the hero in the quest

17. Tests and Trials: ordeals and strengths of will undergone by the hero in order to attain full status/maturity
Enemies: the devil figure or villain that the hero must defeat
Approach to the Inmost Cave: time to face the biggest ordeal or hero’s worst fear (belly of the whale)
Crisis: the abyss, or the downfall of the hero, where they face a major obstacle or even death, and they may die
Resurrection: hero emerges with a new sense of self; can be literal or symbolic
Reward (Seizing the Sword): hero earns the reward or accomplishes the goal (the elixir, holy grail, new powers, wisdom, etc.)
Return with the Elixir: hero begins the journey back to their ordinary life with the reward, having grown as a person, learned many things, and faced many terrible dangers
Resolution: hero uses new wisdom to restore order and peace to the land

18. Current Archetype Trend
Recently, in film, it has become very trendy to mock or satirize archetypes.
For example, movies like Shrek, The Princess Bride, and Enchanted all take fairy tale concepts, characters, places and situations and exaggerate them for comedic effect.

19. You see? You’ve been studying archetypes since you started reading BOOKS AND watching TV/movies, and you didn’t even know it!

20. Consider the following films:
Think-Pair-Share Now let’s see how many examples you can come up with: Think about examples we’ve discussed in class, as well as others you can come up with. Share your thoughts with a partner. Complete the third column of your “people” chart.
Consider the following films:
Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Twilight, The Chronicles of Narnia, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, The Matrix, The Wizard of Oz, etc.