ArchetypesArchetypesThe characteristics and qualities The characteristics and qualities that make up heroes and their that make up heroes and their

journeys.journeys.

What is an archeWhat is an archetypetype??

Archetypes are …Archetypes are … A pattern or model (think typical or a type)A pattern or model (think typical or a type) Universal (they apply to all of us)Universal (they apply to all of us) Repeated throughout culture, often slightly Repeated throughout culture, often slightly

altered for the present day. altered for the present day.

The Archetypal HeroThe Archetypal Hero

Author’s Note: There are exceptions to all of Author’s Note: There are exceptions to all of these; however, these seem to occur most often.these; however, these seem to occur most often.

Characteristics:Characteristics: Has an unusual birth; often an attempt is made on his Has an unusual birth; often an attempt is made on his

lifelife Leaves or is forced to leave home and is raised by Leaves or is forced to leave home and is raised by

foster parentsfoster parents Knows little about childhood until grownKnows little about childhood until grown Achieves a victory over a great foe, marries a Achieves a victory over a great foe, marries a

beautiful girl, achieves great fame or titlebeautiful girl, achieves great fame or title

Characteristics of the Hero Characteristics of the Hero (Con’t)(Con’t)

Author’s Note: Not all heroes fit these traits, but Author’s Note: Not all heroes fit these traits, but these occur most often.these occur most often. Hero is naïve and inexperiencedHero is naïve and inexperienced Hero meets monsters or strange beingsHero meets monsters or strange beings Hero often travels across waterHero often travels across water Hero struggles for something valuable/importantHero struggles for something valuable/important Hero has a loyal band of companionsHero has a loyal band of companions Hero engages in tests or contests of strength Hero engages in tests or contests of strength

(physical or mental)(physical or mental) Hero makes a stirring speech to his or her Hero makes a stirring speech to his or her

companionscompanions

The JourneyThe Journey

All heroes go on a journey; here are the stages of All heroes go on a journey; here are the stages of their journey.their journey.

1)1) Departure – hero is called to adventure, although Departure – hero is called to adventure, although reluctantlyreluctantly

2)2) Initiation – hero crosses into a new, more dangerous Initiation – hero crosses into a new, more dangerous worldworld

3)3) Road of Trials – hero is given aid (sometimes Road of Trials – hero is given aid (sometimes supernatural), endures tests of strength and supernatural), endures tests of strength and endurance.endurance.

4)4) Innermost Cave – hero descends into a great place of Innermost Cave – hero descends into a great place of trial and is reborn (changes internally)trial and is reborn (changes internally)

5)5) Return & Reintegration w/ Society – hero uses his new Return & Reintegration w/ Society – hero uses his new wisdom to restore fertility and order to the land.wisdom to restore fertility and order to the land.

Types of HeroesTypes of Heroes

Hero as Scapegoat (Martyr) – Hero suffers for the sake of Hero as Scapegoat (Martyr) – Hero suffers for the sake of othersothers

Transcendent Hero – hero whoseTranscendent Hero – hero whosefatal flaw brings about his/her down-fatal flaw brings about his/her down-fall but not w/o receiving somefall but not w/o receiving somewisdom.wisdom. Anti-hero – a main characterAnti-hero – a main characterthat lacks heroic qualities.that lacks heroic qualities. Epic Hero – a hero ofEpic Hero – a hero ofgreat national importance, is great national importance, is heroic in battle, and has helpheroic in battle, and has helpfrom the gods.from the gods.

Archetypal HeroesArchetypal Heroes

Other Archetypal CharactersOther Archetypal Characters Damsel in Distress – vulnerable woman who must be Damsel in Distress – vulnerable woman who must be

rescuedrescued Mentor/Professor – teaches by example; logical, introverted, Mentor/Professor – teaches by example; logical, introverted,

likes the factslikes the facts Bad Boy – dangerous, wild-side, rebel, crushed idealistBad Boy – dangerous, wild-side, rebel, crushed idealist Warrior – acts with honor, noble, protectorWarrior – acts with honor, noble, protector Best Friends/Group of Companions – safe, responsible, Best Friends/Group of Companions – safe, responsible,

always be therealways be there Charmer – fun, irresistible, doesn’t commit to women easilyCharmer – fun, irresistible, doesn’t commit to women easily Outcast – sensitive soul, secretive, vulnerableOutcast – sensitive soul, secretive, vulnerable Temptress – tempts the hero with her beauty but ultimately Temptress – tempts the hero with her beauty but ultimately

brings about his downfallbrings about his downfall Devil Figure – offers good, fame, or knowledge in exchange Devil Figure – offers good, fame, or knowledge in exchange

for something much greater.for something much greater.

Archetypal Symbols & JourneysArchetypal Symbols & Journeys

SymbolsSymbols Light/white=goodnessLight/white=goodness Darkness/black = evilDarkness/black = evil Water = birth/rebirthWater = birth/rebirth stars = good fortune/hopestars = good fortune/hope

Journeys/Types of QuestsJourneys/Types of Quests Quest for identityQuest for identity Quest for vengeanceQuest for vengeance Quest for loveQuest for love Quest to rid the land of dangerQuest to rid the land of danger Quest for knowledgeQuest for knowledge

Match the Archetypal CharactersMatch the Archetypal Characters

Hero

Mentor

Damsel in Distress

Group of Companions/ Best FriendsBad Boy

Devil Figure

Creating an Archetypal HeroCreating an Archetypal Hero

On a blank sheet of paper:On a blank sheet of paper: The front = a picture of your hero (must be The front = a picture of your hero (must be

hand drawn)hand drawn) The back = a creative story of your archetypal The back = a creative story of your archetypal

hero, including hero, including a specific type of journeya specific type of journey, , all all five stagesfive stages, , four characteristics of a hero,four characteristics of a hero, and and three other archetypal characters.three other archetypal characters. DUE THIS TUESDAY 9/1DUE THIS TUESDAY 9/1 Rubric to follow.

Journal: Your QuestJournal: Your Quest

You are the hero in this story; describe a quest in You are the hero in this story; describe a quest in your going through or a quest you’ve already your going through or a quest you’ve already experienced.experienced. Who are/were your loyal companions and those out to hold Who are/were your loyal companions and those out to hold

you back?you back? Do/Did you have a tragic flaw? If so, what? Do/Did you have a tragic flaw? If so, what? What do/did you hope to learn/gain from your quest?What do/did you hope to learn/gain from your quest?

Why do archetypal hero stories exist? We’ve Why do archetypal hero stories exist? We’ve discussed them in TV, discussed them in TV, LostLost, movies, , movies, Star Wars and Star Wars and Harry Potter Harry Potter among others. Why do they happen to among others. Why do they happen to be so prevalent in all cultures?be so prevalent in all cultures?MUST BE AT LEAST HALF A PAGEMUST BE AT LEAST HALF A PAGE