1. Archetypes

2. So What is an Archetype? Patterns that can be, and are, copied.
Symbols or characters that appear again and again in myths and literature across time and cultures.
Some classic examples of archetypes are:
The hero
The damsel in distress
The battle between good and evil

3. Situational Archetypes
Plot events that we see repeated in numerous works of literature, movies, and other forms of entertainment.

4. The Quest
A search for someone or some object, which when it is found and brought back will restore life to a wasted land.

5. The Task
To save the kingdom, to win the fair lady, the hero performs some superhuman deed.

6. The Fall
Characters experience a loss of innocence and often experience expulsion from a kind of paradise as a penalty for disobedience.

7. Death and Rebirth
Deals with the similarities between the cycle of nature and life; morning and springtime represent birth, youth, or rebirth; evening and winter suggest old age or death.

8. Nature vs. Mechanistic World
Nature is good while technology and society are often evil.

9. Battle Between Good and Evil
Good triumphs over evil despite great odds, keeping mankind hopeful.

10. The Wound that Won’t Heal
A wound that is either physical or psychological; it cannot be healed fully; indicates a loss of innocence; always aches.

11. The Ritual
Ceremony that marks a new stage in life (weddings, funerals, coronations)

12. Symbolic Archetypes
Places or objects that carry the same meaning across different storylines. People understand what they mean and what they represent because of their prevalence in literature and media.

13. Light vs. Darkness
Light = hope, Darkness = renewal, the unknown, or intellectual ignorance, illumination; or despair.

14. Supernatural Intervention
The gods most often intervene on the side of the hero to assist him in his quest.

15. Haven vs. Wilderness
For the hero, places of safety are required for time to regain health and resources. These hideouts are usually in unusual places.

16. Fire vs. Ice
Fire can represent knowledge, light, life, and rebirth while ice can represent ignorance, darkness, sterility, and death

17. Magic Weapon
Some object used to fight the forces of evil that has magical properties

18. The Underworld / The Abyss
A place of death / chaos OR metaphorically an encounter with the dark side of the self. Entering an underworld is a form of facing a fear of death.

19. The Crossroads
A place or time of decision when a realization is made and change or penance results.

20. The Maze
A puzzling dilemma or great uncertainty, search for the dangerous monster inside oneself, or a journey into the heart of darkness.

21. The Castle
A strong place of safety which holds treasure or princess, may be enchanted or bewitched.

22. Character Archetypes
These character types are seen in various stories, movies, and other forms of entertainment. They are easily recognizable and have common traits that we can predict.

23. The Hero
Mother is sometimes a virgin, circumstances of birth are unusual, some attempt is made at birth to kill him; raised by foster parents, returns to kingdom to right wrongs; body may be burned rather than buried.

24. The Initiate
Young heroes or heroines who go through training; usually innocent and wear white.

25. Mentor
Teacher or counselor to the initiate; often are father or mother figures to the hero or heroine.

26. Father-Son Conflict
Father and son are separated and do not meet until the son is an adult, often the mentor is loved and respected more.

27. Hunting Group of Companions
Loyal companions willing to face any number of dangers to be together.

28. Loyal Retainers
Somewhat like servants to the hero who are heroic themselves. Their duty is to protect the hero. They are expendable.

29. Friendly Beast
A beast on the side of the hero who shows that nature sides most often with the forces of good.

30. Devil Figure
Evil incarnate. Offers worldly goods, fame, or knowledge to the hero in exchange for the possession of the soul.

31. Evil Figure with Good Heart
Redeemable evil figure saved by the nobility or love of the hero.

32. Outcast
Figure banished from a social group for some crime against his fellow man (could be unjustly accused or could banish himself because of guilt)

33. Temptress
Sensuous beauty, brings about the hero’s downfall because he is physically attracted to her

34. Platonic Ideal
Female figure who provides intellectual stimulation for the hero. He is not physically attracted to her.

35. Star Crossed Lovers
Two lovers forbidden to be together because of rules of society or family, often ends tragically.

36. Creature of Nightmare
Animal or creature disfigured or mutilated, monsters who are the antagonists in the story.