ARCHETYPE DEFINITION:

Archetype: An original model or pattern from which other later copies are made, especially a character, an action, or situation that seems to represent common patterns of human life

ARCHETYPES

IN EVERYTHING Archetypes recur in different times and

places in myth, literature, folklore, fairy tales, dreams, artwork, and religious rituals

EVERYWHERE and TIMELESS Archetypes occur in various genres across

cultures and throughout history.

Often times characters can hold more than one archetype: for example Dumbledore is herald and sage

THE HERO

King Arthur, Optimus Prime, Luke Skywalker, Hercules

Usually the central character

Separates from the ordinary world, faces challenges and sacrifices and serves others

Chooses to be a hero for noble cause

THE FOOL

Scarecrow, FEZ, and Brick

Usually used for entertainment and for the hero to play off of

Has no idea what he is doing, he has a dim idea at best who his enemies are or whether he is in danger, and only has his cheerful disposition to protect him. (Brick, Forrest Gump)

THE ANTI-HERO

Harry Potter, Shrek, Bruce Wayne, and Napoleon Dynamite

Has non-traditional qualities for a hero such as unappealing figure, self-obsessed attitude, etc…

Does not choose to be a hero but is put into the situation

THE SIDEKICK

Chewbacca, Robin, and Donkey

The hero’s right hand man

Purpose is to be a second person when needed and to create dialogue with the hero

THE VILLAIN

Frankenstein, Osama Bin Laden, Dracula, The Joker, and Ursula

Cause is to destroy, create opposition, and be part of “the dark side”

The Villian/Devil represents a tremendous source of strength. Battling him or her gives the hero strength.

THE SHADOW

Repressed side of a character.

The Shadow can be the dark side of “light” character or vice versa

Gollum ,Tyler Durden, Scar, Harvey Dent

THE MYSTIC/MENTOR/SAGE

Gandalf, Aslan, Yoda, and Dumbledore

Mentor’s job is to guide with wisdom

Sometimes gives gifts to assist hero

Comic Mentor -- often a type of advising sidekick to the Hero (Rafiki)

THE HERALD

Herald characters issue challenges, warnings, and announces the coming of significant change

Nala, Dumbledore, and Bumblebee

SHAPE-SHIFTER

The Shapeshifter's mask misleads the Hero by hiding a character's intentions and loyalties

Meg from Hercules and the beast

THE THRESHOLD GUARDIAN

Threshold Guardians protect by testing or preventing the Hero’s entrance.

They provide essential tests to prove a Hero's commitment and worth

Draco Malfoy

Offers Harry his hand in friendship and thus causes Harry to openly refuse it and Slytherin House

Instigates the Rememberall fiasco that ends in Harry becoming Seeker

Tricks Harry into the midnight duel that leads to him finding Fluffy

TRICKSTER

Tricksters relish the disruption of the status quo

Turn the Ordinary World into chaos with their quick turns of phrase and physical antics

Fred and George Weasly, Bugs Bunny, Tinker Belle, and the Cheshire Cat

DAMSEL

Helpless and/or weak and usually desirable

Bella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty

SITUATIONAL ARCHETYPES

Death and rebirth, battle between good and evil, hero’s journey, Magic weapon, and the fall

STEREOTYPE VS. ARCHETYPE

Stereotype: A conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image What are some examples?

Archetype: universal example found throughout time, cultures, and genres