1. Archetypes

2. Think about... Think about stories that feature a “good guy” or hero.
What are some characteristics that a typical “good guy” usually has?
Think about stories that feature a “bad guy” or villain.
What are some characteristics that a typical “bad guy” usually has?
We refer to these characteristics as archetypes

3. What is an Archetype?
The word “archetype” derives from a Latin word which translates to pattern, model or type
Archetype is an original model which other things are similarly patterned after
Archetypes are the basic building blocks for creating a story and characters
An archetype can be an image, story pattern, character type, setting, theme or idea

4. The Common Archetypal Characters
Hero
Villain
Fair Maiden
Mentor
Sidekick

5. The Archetypal Hero:
Can either be male or female (in western literature, the hero is usually male)
Usually superior than common people in three ways:
1. Morally – the hero holds higher morals than the opponent
2. Mentally – her hero is smarter or more clever than the opponent
3. Physically – the hero is stronger than the opponent

6. The Willing Hero: Willing to undertake any quest courageously, puts his needs aside to help others
Ex: Captain America, Superman, King Arthur
The Unwilling Hero: Doubtful, passive, unwilling to begin the journey
Ex: Achilles, Shrek, Neo (The Matrix)
The Loner Hero: Able to overcome opposition alone
Ex: James Bond, Indiana Jones, Batman
The Tragic Hero: Have a tragic flaw which hurt them in the end
Ex: Romeo, Darth Vader, Mufasa (Lion King)

7. ANTI-HERO
Lacks traditional heroic qualities (courage, moral standards, positive physical appearance)
Generally oppressive, pessimistic, and/or corrupt.
Motivated by own personal desires
Reluctant to help others
Contains both good and bad qualities; usually experiences suffering and sorrow
Ex: Ethan Frome 7

8. The Archetypal Villain:
Foil to the hero
Usually embodies the evil within the story
Is the person the hero must defeat to conquer evil
Thwarts positive action of the hero
Usually dark or clothed in dark clothes

9. The Archetypal Fair Maiden:
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

10. The Archetypal Mentor:
Is the one who prepares the hero for the journey and the ultimate battle
Is the person who provides moral strength as well as lessons the hero uses during the quest and ultimate battle
May give the hero a weapon or tool to conquer the enemy
May give up his life or make sacrifice to save another or save the cause

11. The Archetypal Sidekick:
Reinforces the heroic personality of the hero
Often adds humor to the story
Supports or is the best friend of the hero or villain
The Archetypal Sidekick:

12. OTHER ARCHETYPES
The CHIEF - a dynamic leader, he has time for nothing but work
The BAD BOY - dangerous to know, he walks on the wild side
The BEST FRIEND - sweet and safe, he never lets anyone down
The LOST SOUL - a tormented being, he lives in solitude
The CHARMER - a smooth talker, he creates fantasies
The PROFESSOR - coldly analytical, he knows every answer
The WARRIOR - a noble champion, he acts with honor

13. Archetypal Events
The Quest: the hero undertakes a long journey, and he must perform impossible tasks (such as battles with monsters, solving unanswerable riddles, and overcoming insurmountable obstacles).
The Initiation: the hero undergoes a series of excruciating ordeals that allow him to grow from ignorance and immaturity to social and spiritual adulthood. The hero becomes an “initiated” member of his social group. The initiation most commonly consists of three distinct phases: (1) separation, (2) transformation, and (3) return.
Sacrificial Scapegoat: the hero must die to atone for the people’s sins and restore the land or kingdom.
Other archetypal events include the hero’s descent into the underworld and possible ascent into heaven.

14. Archetypal Imagery
Water: could represent the mystery of creation, the birth- death-resurrection cycle, purification and redemption, and/or fertility and growth. Water is often used to represent the unconscious.
a) The Sea: the mother of all life; spiritual mystery and infinity; death and rebirth; timelessness and eternity; the unconscious.
b) Rivers: death and rebirth (baptism); the flowing of time into eternity; transitional phases of the life cycle (think about the River Styx).

15. Archetypal Imagery
Sun: could represent creative energy, law in nature, consciousness (thinking, enlightenment, wisdom, spiritual vision), and/or the passage of time and life. Also, consider the close relationship between fire and sky.
a) Rising sun: represents birth, creation, enlightenment
b) Setting sun: death

16. ARCHETYPAL COLORS
Archetypal colors get their meanings or symbolism through their existence in the natural environment.
The colors may have positive or negative connotations.

17. ARCHETYPAL COLORS
Black: Death/mourning, emotional darkness, hidden desires/instincts, un-enlightenment, chaos, mystery, the unknown, death, wisdom, evil, melancholy.
Blue: The color of the spirit, the spiritual, the heavenly, the divine, intuition, inspiration.
Green: Mother Nature, fertility, hope, renewal, health, youth, harmony, prosperity.
Orange: Balance, creative expression, pride and ambition, cruelty, ferocity, luxury. As the color of fire, can represent burning away impurities.

18. ARCHETYPAL COLORS
Purple: The color of royalty, imperial power, pride, justice, intuition, wisdom, truth.
Red: Blood, life, life-force; embarrassment, anger; fire, lust, passion, courage, will power, and war.
White: Purity, holiness, sacredness, redemption, mystical enlightenment, innocence, joy, light, perfection.
Yellow: The sun, illumination, intellect, maturity, enlightenment, wisdom.

19. Archetypal Symbols:
Something concrete or real that represents something greater, usually an abstract idea
Example: The Circle
reminds of the huddle around the communal fire of early man
inherent are bonds of family, unity, togetherness created by arms around each other stance in an embrace or hug
eternity built into the symbol because it has no beginning or end
Consider a wedding ring which features a circular shape which symbolizes unity and eternity
Other Symbol Examples:

20. Archetypal Settings: 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 mood within the story
Literary Examples:
DAY = Good things, rational things
NIGHT = Bad things; lack of understanding; presence of evil
AUTUMN = things may turn negative soon
SPRING = birth; new beginning; life

21. Archetypal Settings…continued
Garden: could represent paradise, innocence, unspoiled beauty and/or fertility.
Tree: stands for inexhaustible life and is equivalent to immortality. Think about the life/growth cycle of a tree – the growth, proliferation, generative and regenerative processes.
Desert: think about the dry and arid landscape of a desert. This could symbolize spiritual acridity, death, complete rejection of religion and morals, and/or hopelessness

22. Archetypal Themes:
Theme is the main idea or an underlying message of a literary work which may be stated directly or indirectly.
Archetypal Themes are themes that are used frequently in stories
Major Archetypal Themes:
Love conquers all
Good will triumph over evil
Hate, if victorious, will destroy all
Power of love should be stronger than the power of hate.