1. Archetypes in Literature
What is an Archetype?
Archetypes in Literature

2. What is an archetype?
Epic: an extended narrative poem in elevated (fancy) language, celebrating the feats of a legendary or traditional hero.
Gilgamesh is an epic.
Archetype: pattern that commonly appears in stories no matter what culture they come from Archetypes can apply to plots of a story, characters in a story, and themes of a story.

3. Character Archetypes: patterns depicted in characters of stories
1. The Hero: protagonist whose life is depicted through a series of well-defined adventures
The hero usually he has an unusual birth, will have to leave his kingdom to go on some journey, and returns to his home a changed person.
He is usually very brave, strong, honorable, and risks his life for the good of all.
Examples: Hercules, Aragorn, Lancelot,
Wolverine

4. The Hero (5 types)
The Traditional/Classical Hero: strong, good-looking, noble, skilled in many areas, lives by personal codes of honor, first to jump in and save the day, loves the acclaim

5. The Hero (5 types)
2. Antihero: the exact opposite of a traditional hero; reluctant to help, lacks courage and honesty, is physically and mentally weak (also called a Byronic hero)

6. The Hero (5 types)
3. Tragic Hero: main character in a tragedy who makes an error that leads to his/her downfall

7. The Hero (5 types)
4. Unsung hero: hero who does not get credit for his/her great deeds and goes unnoticed by society

8. The Hero (5 types)
5. Superhero: hero who has some sort of magical/ mythical power that aides him/her in tasks

9. Character Archetypes: patterns depicted in characters of stories (cont
Young Man from the Provinces: The hero is from a small, rural area and is not exposed to the wider world. Mentor: The mentor is an older, wiser teacher to the hero. He is sometimes viewed as a father figure. He gives the Hero gifts, food, magic, information, help, etc. Example: Morpheus from The Matrix

10. Character Archetypes: Patterns depicted in characters of stories (cont
Hunting Group of Companions (side-kicks): loyal friends to the Hero who are willing to face hardships with him on his journey
Examples: Hans Solo from Star Wars, Ron and
Hermione from Harry Potter
The Shadow: a worthy opponent with whom the hero must fight in the end
Examples: Voldemort, The Matrix, Pride, Jealousy
Creature of Nightmare: a monster (literally or figuratively) that threatens the life of the hero and his companions
Examples: Cyclops from Odyssey, the shark from Jaws

11. Character Archetypes: patterns depicted in characters of stories (cont
The Damsel in Distress: a woman (usually) who needs to be rescued by the hero and who is often used to trap the hero
Example: Princess Fiona from Shrek, Sleeping Beauty
The Temptress: a woman whose beauty attracts the hero and brings about his downfall or gets him off course on his journey

12. Situational Archetypes: These are patterns in plots of stories
The journey: The journey sends the hero in search of some truth that will help him save himself and/or his kingdom.
Stages of a hero’s journey (5 stages):
Stage 1: Departure: The hero is called (or forced) to adventure, although he is reluctant to accept.
Stage 2: Initiation: The hero crosses a threshold into a new, more dangerous world, where he gains more perspective in life.

13. Character Archetypes: patterns depicted in characters of stories (cont
Stage 3: The Road of Trials: The hero is given supernatural aid, endures tests of strength, resourcefulness, and endurance.
Stage 4: The Innermost Cave: The hero descends into the underworld and is reborn in some way, either physically or mentally. (This is the final stand off between good and evil.)
Stage 5: Return to Society: The hero returns home and restores order to his kingdom.

14. More Situational Archetypes
The Task: the nearly super-human feats the hero must perform in order to help himself or his kingdom
The Fall: the descent from a higher to lower state of being, usually as a punishment for messing up (going from god-like to mortal)

15. More Situational Archetypes
Death and Rebirth: the most common situational archetype
Basically the Hero dies someway (figuratively
or literally) and is reborn.
Battle Between Good and Evil: when the hero, usually a symbol of goodness, battles an evil character
USUALLY, good triumphs over evil, thus showing
man’s eternal optimism.

16. Symbolic Archetypes: patterns of symbols in stories
Supernatural Intervention: when spiritual beings intervene on behalf of the hero
The Underworld: a place of death where the hero faces his fear of death or a great challenge during his journey

17. Symbolic Archetypes: patterns of symbols in stories
Haven vs. Wilderness: A haven is a place of safety which is typically contrasted to the wilderness, a place of danger. Heroes are often sheltered from the wilderness during their journey.
The Crossroads: A place or time of decision when a realization is made and a change occurs in the hero.

18. Symbolic Archetypes: patterns of symbols in stories
The Whirlpool: symbolizes the destructive power of nature
Fog: symbolizes uncertainty

19. Symbolic Archetypes: patterns of symbols in stories
Color Archetypes:
Red: blood, sacrifice, passion
Green: growth, hope, fertility
Blue: highly positive, security, tranquility, spiritual purity
Black: darkness, chaos, mystery, death, evil
White: light, purity, innocence, timelessness
Yellow: wisdom, enlightenment

20. The Journey
Heroes can go on many types of journeys. They can be a quest for: identity, vengence, love, the holy grail, search for knowledge, a journey to save his people, or a tragic quest which is penance for something they think they did wrong or did do wrong.