1. Archetypes
Pre AP English I

2. What is an archetype?
An original model after which other similar things are patterned
From the Greek word arkhetupos meaning “exemplary”
Exemplary: serving as a pattern, deserving imitation
Accepts Karl Jung’s idea of recurring patterns of situation, character or symbol
It exists universally and instinctively in the collective unconscious of man

3. Archetypes in literature
An image, story-pattern or character
Recurs frequently
Evokes strong, often unconscious, associations in the reader
Examples:
The wicked witch
The enchanted prince
The sleeping beauty
The fairy godmother

4. Personal Unconscious/ Freud
Said that personal experiences that have been forgotten or repressed, yet linger in the personal unconscious mind tend to motivate, shape and control our behavior

5. Collective Unconscious/ Jung
Experiences of humanity as a whole somehow are embedded into the minds of everyone
Is a mixture of experiences of humanity and of archetypes make up our “genetic memory”
Basic foundation of the collective unconscious is the archetype (the universal theme, symbol, situation) that runs consistent in the minds of mankind
Has developed through the ages and influences the way people think
Can be found in man’s endeavors of art, mythology, literature and dreams

6. Situation Archetypes

7. The Quest
The search for someone or some talisman (an object held to act as a charm to avert evil and bring good fortune) which, when found and brought back, will restore fertility to a wasted land.

8. The Task
To save the kingdom, to win the fair lady, to identify himself so he may resume his rightful position
The hero must perform some nearly superhuman deed

9. The Initiation Into the adult-life
The adolescent comes to his or her maturity with new awareness and problems along with the hope for the community or land
This awakening is often the climax of the story

10. The Journey
Sends the hero in search of the truth or information to restore fertility to the kingdom
Travels through a psychological hell and forced to discover the truth
Must recognize his own faults
Accepts personal responsibility
Encounters people and tasks that teach and strengthen him

11. The Fall The hero’s loss of innocence or high position
Hubris often causes the fall and humility results from it

12. Death and Rebirth The most common of all situations
Developed through the parallel between the cycle of the nature and the cycle of life
Morning and springtime represent birth, youth and rebirth
Winter represents old age or death

13. Nature vs. Mechanical World
Suggests that nature is good while technology and society or often evil

14. Battle between Good and Evil
Battle between two prime forces
Mankind shows eternal optimism
Good triumphs over evil despite great odds

15. The Unhealable Wound Physical or psychological Cannot be fully healed
Indicates a loss of innocence
Always aches and drives the sufferer to desperate measures

16. The Ritual
Ceremonies that initiate experiences that will mark the passage into another state

17. The Magic Weapon
Symbolizes the extraordinary quality of the hero because no one else can wield the weapon or use it to its full potential
Usually given by a mentor figure

18. Symbolic Archetypes
Associations between the outside world and psychic experiences. These associations become enduring and are passed from one generation to the next.

19. Light vs. Dark
Light suggests hope, renewal or intellectual illumination
Darkness implies the unknown, ignorance or despair

20. Fire vs. Ice Fire represents knowledge, light, life and rebirth
Ice represents ignorance, darkness, sterility and even death

21. Supernatural Intervention
The gods intervene on the side of the hero most of the time

22. Water vs. Desert
Water represents growth, rebirth, life and spiritual birth
Desert represents a time of self-awareness, deprivation, solitude and loneliness

23. Innate Wisdom vs. Educated Stupidity
Sometimes characters exhibit an understanding of situations because of their instincts better than those who are educated to do the job or be in charge

24. Heaven vs. Hell
Man associates parts of the world not accessible to him as dwelling places of those who govern his world
The skies and mountain tops house his gods
The bowels of the earth contain his diabolical forces

25. Symbolic Archetypes Threshold Underworld Garden Wasteland City
Crossroads
Winding stairs
Castle

26. Character Archetypes

27. The Hero Characterized by self-sacrifice
Will endure separation and hardship for the sake of his people
Must pay a price to attain his goal
Pattern of journey is often fight, flight, learn, return

28. The Young Man from the Provinces
This hero is spirited away as a young man and is raised by strangers
He later returns to his home where he is a stranger who can see problems and offer solutions

29. The Mentor Counselors or teachers Older and wiser
Gives the hero weapons, food, magic and often serves as the hero’s conscience

30. The Shadow Worthy opponent with whom the hero must struggle
This opponent must be destroyed, neutralized, or assimilated

31. Father-Son Conflict
Tension often results from separation during childhood
Tension is significant as the individuals meet as men
The mentor often has a higher place in the affections the hero than the biological parent

32. Loyal Retainers Like servants who are heroic themselves
Their duty is to protect the hero and reflect his nobility

33. The Threshold Guardian
Tests the hero’s courage and worthiness to begin the journey
Shows that the journey will be difficult

34. Friendly Beast
Shows that nature is on the side of the hero

35. The Initiates
Young heroes who, prior to their quest, must endure some training or ceremony
They are usually innocent and dressed in white

36. Group of Companions
Loyal companions willing to face any number of perils in order to stay together

37. The Devil Figure
Character that offers worldly goods, fame or knowledge to the protagonist (hero) in exchange for the possession of the soul

38. Evil Figure with the Ultimately Good Heart
A redeemable devil figure that is saved by the nobility or love of the hero

39. The Scapegoat
This hero must die in order to pay for the people’s wrongdoings and to restore the nation to health
The death is public
Makes them more of a force in society in death than when they lived

40. The Outcast Figure who is banished form a social group for some crime
The crime can be real or imagined
Destined to become a wanderer from place to place

41. Woman Figures Earth mother Temptress Platonic ideal Unfaithful wife
Damsel in distress
Star-crossed lovers
Creature of nightmare
(no gender)

42. Color Archetypes
Black – chaos, mystery, death, evil, unconscious
Red – blood, sacrifice, passion, disorder (tragedy)
Green – growth, sensation, hope (comedy)
Earth tones – natural, pure, conscious or earthly
White – purity or void
Yellow – cowardice, dishonesty