1. Archetype and Symbolism
The Hero’s Journey

2. What is an archetype?
Archetypes are recurrent symbols or motifs in literature. Basically, PATTERNS.
Examples – Situational Archetypes
The Hero’s Journey
The Tragedy
The Medieval Romance
Examples – Character Archetypes
The Mentor
The Damsel in Distress
The Loyal Sidekick

3. Can you think of some examples of these character archetypes?
The Hero
_________________ _________________
The Mentor
The Sidekick
The Damsel in Distress

4. Archetypal Symbols
Light vs. Darkness – knowledge vs. ignorance, hope vs. despair
Water vs. Desert – rebirth vs. death
Serpent vs. Garden – evil vs. innocence/paradise
Spring – birth
Summer – life
Autumn/Fall – fading, dying
Winter – death, hibernation

5. Color Archetypes (Color Symbolic)
Positive
Negative
Red
Love, warmth, power
Danger, blood, anger
Blue
Peace, trust, harmony
Cold, depression
Yellow
Happiness, hope
Cowardice, betrayal
Orange
Energy, flamboyant
Pride, ambition
Green
Nature, youth, spring
Jealousy
Purple
Royalty, Wisdom, Spiritual
Cruelty, arrogance
Gray
Maturity, intelligence
Old age, sad, boring
Brown
Earth, home, comfort
Control, boring
Black
Power, formal, elegant
Fear, evil, death
White
Purity, cleanliness, youth
Cold, sterile, unfeeling

6. Number Archetypes (Symbolic)3
Father-Son-Holy Ghost; Mind-Body-Spirit; Birth-Life-Death 4
Mankind (4 limbs); 4 Elements; 4 seasons 6
Devil; Evil 7
Relationship of man and god (3 Trinity + 4 Mankind); 7 deadly sins, 7 day week, 7 days for creation

7. Medieval Romance Archetype
Idealized, noble characters
Larger-than-life behavior
Hero’s quest motivated by love, faith, or desire for adventure
Supernatural/Magic elements
Unusual, exotic settings
Involves hidden or mistaken identity

8. Medieval Romance Example
Idealized, noble characters: Launcelot chooses death over betrayal of Gwynevere
Larger-than-life behavior: Launcelot knocks 12 knights from their horses with 1 spear
Hero’s quest motivated by love, faith, or desire for adventure: Launcelot is weary of “playing at arms,” wants adventure
Supernatural/Magic elements: Morgan le Faye puts a spell on Launcelot and carries him off
Unusual, exotic settings: castle, cauldron, tree covered in knights’ shields
Involves hidden or mistaken identity: Sir Belleus thinks Launcelot is his girlfriend…oops!

9. Aristotle’s Archetype for Tragedy
5 Characteristics of a Tragic Hero:
Noble (both in status and of mind)
Hamartia – tragic flaw, often hubris (excessive pride)
Reversal – hero’s downfall – is brought about by the hero’s actions
His punishment exceeds his crime
Recognition – hero has major realization, learns something important

10. More Elements of an Archetypal Tragedy
Mimesis – mimics life (is realistic enough for the audience to identify with)
Plot is more important than character
3 dramatic unities: Unity of Action (1 cause/effect-centric plot); Unity of Time (occurs in 1 day); and Unity of Place (occurs in 1 setting)
Catharsis – by the end, the audience releases strong, repressed emotions