1. Classical Archetypes:
Symbolism in literature

2. What is an archetype?
An archetype is a symbol, story, pattern, or character type that occurs frequently in literature and evokes strong, often unconscious, associations for the reader.
Archetypes occur in all cultures and time periods.

3. Where did archetypes come from?
The idea of archetypes are thought to grow out of man’s subconscious (we are born with these traits, and they are universally understood).
This theory was developed and researched by famous psychologist CARL JUNG.

4. Types of archetypes:
1) situational
2) character
3) symbolic

5. Situational archetypes:
These are archetypes that occur commonly in SITUATIONS within stories, myths, legends, etc. across all cultures.

6. Types of situational archetypes:
A. The Quest
A search for something or someone who will restore fertility to desolation (or provide salvation of some sort)
Ex: the search for the Holy Grail, Harry Potter and the sorcerer’s stone, Percy Jackson and the golden fleece

7. B. The Task:
When the hero must perform superhuman deeds as a part of the quest
Ex: Arthur pulling the sword from the stone (King Arthur legend), Odysseus stringing the bow, Luke Skywalker must rescue Princess Leia

8. C. The initiation
When the hero must come into adult maturity by facing certain difficulties, training
ex: the karate kid must overcome his rival and win the karate match, Harry Potter faces many obstacles, etc.

9. D. The journey
This is when the hero goes on a search of information about his past or is searching for a truth of some sort.
Ex: Harry Potter’s search for information about his parents

10. E. The fall
A descent from a higher to a lower state of being, often involves the hero going through a moral or spiritual decline
Ex: Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Anakin Skywalker becomes Darth Vader

11. F. Death vs. Resurrection
The cycle of life/death or life/rebirth shown in the literature
Ex: summer to winter, morning to night, a character might change from evil to redeemed. A character’s spirit helps another

12. G. Nature vs. technology
Nature is seen as “good” and more morally pure, while technology/society are seen as “evil”
Ex: Hatchet (survival in the wilderness, the plane crash almost caused his death), the Ewoks are able to defeat technology (Star Wars), The Terminator, The Matrix

13. H. Battle between good vs. evil
The ultimate battle between right and wrong which is demonstrated in most heroic conflicts
Ex: Luke Skywalker vs. Darth Vader, Harry Potter vs. Voldemort, any western movie

14. I. The unhealable wound
When the hero suffers a physical or emotional wound that can’t fully heal
Ex: Harry Potter’s scar

15. J. The ritual
An actual ceremony that the hero will go through that shows a rite of passage to maturity
Ex: becoming a knight, crowning a king, baptism, bar mitzvah, weddings

16. Character Archetypes:
Character archetypes are common CHARACTERIZATIONS that are seen in various types of myths, legends, or literature across all cultures and time periods.

17. Types of character archetypes:
A. The Hero
This is the main protagonist of the story.
often taken away from his birth parents
Circumstances of his birth are unusual
Often an attempt is made to kill him at birth or in childhood by a rival
Not much is known of his childhood
Ex: Jesus, Moses, Wart, Superman, Harry Potter, Tarzan

18. B. The young man from the provinces
This is the hero who is raised by relatives or strangers and separated from his birth parents
Ex: Tarzan, Superman, Harry Potter, Luke Skywalker, Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz

19. C. The initiate
the young hero or heroine who must go through rigorous training; they often wear white (symbol of innocence and purity)
Ex: Daniel from the Karate Kid, Harry Potter, Luke Skywalker

20. D. Mentors
Teachers to the hero
Ex: Yoda, Merlin, Obi Wan

21. E. Hunting group of companions
The loyal friends of the hero who face perils with him
Ex: Hermione and Ron, the Knights of the Round Table, Robin Hood and his Merry Men

22. F. Loyal Retainers
Servants who help the hero. Usually of lower social class or paid employees (unlike the hunting group of companions who are peers)
Ex: R2D2 and C3Po

23. G. The friendly beast
An animal who befriends the hero and helps him
Ex: Chewbacca

24. H. The scapegoat
A character who is blamed for some wrong when they are really innocent
Ex: Mr. Keating, Snowball (Animal Farm)

25. I. The outcast
A figure who is banished from society and becomes a loner/wanderer
Ex: Han Solo

26. J. The devil figure
An evil character who tries to destroy the hero
Ex: Satan, Darth Vader, Voldemort

27. K. The creature of nightmare
A non-human monster who threatens the hero
Ex: Dracula, Freddy Kreuger, Jabba the Hut

28. L. Evil figure with an ultimately good heart
A redeemed devil figure who is saved by the end of the story and converts to good
Ex: Apollo Creed (Rocky films), Scrooge (A Christmas Carol), the Grinch

29. M. Earth mother
A female character who is symbolic of emotional nourishment, care giver, mother figure
Ex: Mother Nature, Claire Huxtable, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, Mammy in Gone with the Wind

30. N. The Temptress
A female character who uses her beauty to tempt and seduce the hero and tries to lead him to his downfall
Ex: Delilah, The Sirens, Guinevere, Cleopatra

31. O. The platonic ideal
A female character who is a platonic friend to the hero and often in the hunting group of companions.
Ex: Hermione, Princess Leia

32. P. Damsel in Distress
A female character who needs to be rescued by the hero
Ex: Rapunzel, Princess Leia, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty

33. Symbolic Archetypes:
These are archetypes that are universal SYMBOLS in literature which occur in many stories and in many cultures.

34. Types of symbolic archetypes:
A. light-darkness
Typically, light is seen to represent good, renewal , and insight.
Dark is seen to represent evil, ignorance, or despair.

35. B. Water-desert
The water is seen as symbolic of life, growth, rebirth, or fertility.
The desert imagery is symbolic of death, destruction , and decay

36. C. Heaven vs. Hell
Skies and mountains represent closeness to heavens or goodness.
The bowels of the earth represent evil forces that inhabit the earth.

37. D. Innate wisdom vs. educated stupidity
Some characters exhibit wisdom instinctively when others are educated but not “street smart.” Hero often needs guidance of innate wisdom in his initiation.

38. E. Haven vs. Wilderness
Places of safety contrast sharply against the dangerous wilderness. The desert is often seen as dangerous
Ex: Tatooine

39. F. Supernatural intervention
This is when the gods intervene on behalf of the hero and give him supernatural strength to defeat evil.
Ex: The force (Star Wars), The Bible, The Odyssey and mythology

40. G. The magical weapon
This is the weapon that the hero uses to fight evil. It is usually given to him by his mentor.
Ex: King Arthur’s sword Excalibur, Odysseus’ bow, Thor’s hammer, Luke’s light saber

41. We will be looking for examples of these archetypes in the film Star Wars: A New Hope.
Try to look for examples of archetypes when you read, watch television, or view film. There are
A LOT.