Archetypes

What is a hero?

Definition of archetype: Definition of archetype:

the original pattern or model from which all things of the the original pattern or model from which all things of the same kind are copied or on which they are based; a same kind are copied or on which they are based; a model or first form; prototype. model or first form; prototype.

Example: Example: FrankensteinFrankenstein , , DraculaDracula are both archetypes are both archetypes that have influenced subsequent horror stories – i.e. that have influenced subsequent horror stories – i.e. Freddy KruegerFreddy Krueger

"archetype." "archetype." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 23 Aug. 2008. <Dictionary.com . Random House, Inc. 23 Aug. 2008. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/archetype>.>.

3 Different Practical Archetypes3 Different Practical Archetypes

1.1. Situation Archetype Situation Archetype

2.2. Character Archetype Character Archetype

3.3. Symbolic ArchetypeSymbolic Archetype

Situation ArchetypesSituation Archetypes

The Quest The Quest The JourneyThe Journey The Task The Task The Initiation The Initiation The Fall The Fall Death and Rebirth Death and Rebirth The Battle between Good & EvilThe Battle between Good & Evil

The QuestThe Quest

the search for someone or the search for someone or something (a talisman) which, something (a talisman) which, when found and brought back, will when found and brought back, will restore fertility to a wasted land, restore fertility to a wasted land, the desolation of which is mirrored the desolation of which is mirrored by a leader’s illness and disability.by a leader’s illness and disability.

NoteNote:  “fertility” does not necessarily :  “fertility” does not necessarily mean “reproduction” or “fruitfulness.” It mean “reproduction” or “fruitfulness.” It can and often does mean prosperity, can and often does mean prosperity, peace, harmony.peace, harmony.

..

http://raresoundtracks.iespana.es/images/thelionking.jpg

The JourneyThe Journey

  The journey sends the hero in search for The journey sends the hero in search for some truth or information necessary to some truth or information necessary to restore fertility to the kingdom.  restore fertility to the kingdom.  a.      a.      The hero descends into a real or The hero descends into a real or psychological torment.psychological torment.b.      b.      He is forced to discover or face He is forced to discover or face the blackest truths about himself the blackest truths about himself (usually).(usually).c.      c.      He accepts responsibility for his He accepts responsibility for his faults and acknowledges his mistakes.faults and acknowledges his mistakes.d.      d.      He returns to the world of the He returns to the world of the living.living.

http://www.the-reel-mccoy.com/movies/2001/images/FellowshipOfTheRing_poster.jpg

The TaskThe Task

To save the kingdom, to win the fair To save the kingdom, to win the fair lady, to identify himself so that he may lady, to identify himself so that he may resume his rightful position, the hero resume his rightful position, the hero must perform some nearly must perform some nearly superhuman deed.superhuman deed.

    This differs from the Quest in that in This differs from the Quest in that in

the Quest, the ultimate goal is to the Quest, the ultimate goal is to restore fertilityrestore fertility; ; here the goal is to here the goal is to gain something (power, the girl, gain something (power, the girl, wealth, etc.)wealth, etc.)

http://www.virginmedia.com/microsites/movies/slideshow/top-ten-movie-wizards/img_6.jpg

The InitiationThe Initiation

This usually takes the form of an This usually takes the form of an initiation into adult life.  The initiation into adult life.  The adolescent comes into his or adolescent comes into his or her own maturity with new her own maturity with new awareness and problems along awareness and problems along with new hope for the with new hope for the community.  This awakening is community.  This awakening is often the climax of the story.  It often the climax of the story.  It

does parallel the Ritualdoes parallel the Ritual..

http://www.southshields-sanddancers.co.uk/photos_posters/harry_potter_calendar_photo.jpg

The FallThe Fall

This archetype describes a descent This archetype describes a descent from a higher state of being to a from a higher state of being to a lower state of being.  The lower state of being.  The experience involves a defilement experience involves a defilement and/or a loss of innocence and and/or a loss of innocence and bliss.  The fall is often bliss.  The fall is often accompanied by an expulsion accompanied by an expulsion from a kind of paradise as penalty from a kind of paradise as penalty for disobedience and moral for disobedience and moral

transgression.transgression.    

http://www.nashvillescholars.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/arthur

Death & RebirthDeath & Rebirth

This is the most common of all situational archetypes.  It is the parallel This is the most common of all situational archetypes.  It is the parallel between the cycle of nature and the cycle of life.  Thus, morning and between the cycle of nature and the cycle of life.  Thus, morning and springtime represent birth, youth, or rebirth; evening and winter suggest springtime represent birth, youth, or rebirth; evening and winter suggest old age or death.old age or death.

http://morris-photographics.com/photos/TheFourSeasons.jpg

The Battle Between Good & EvilThe Battle Between Good & Evil

Obviously, the battle between two Obviously, the battle between two primal forces.  Mankind shows primal forces.  Mankind shows eternal optimism in the continual eternal optimism in the continual portrayal of good triumphing over portrayal of good triumphing over evil despite great odds.evil despite great odds.

http://rangersin08.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/sauron1.jpg http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51BD7HCN0TL.jpg

Character ArchetypeCharacter Archetype

The HeroThe Hero The InitiatesThe Initiates MentorsMentors Father-Son ConflictFather-Son Conflict

Loyal RetainersLoyal Retainers Devil FigureDevil Figure Creature of NightmaresCreature of Nightmares Woman Figure Woman Figure

The InitiatesThe Initiates

These are young heroes These are young heroes or heroines who, prior to or heroines who, prior to their quest, must endure their quest, must endure some training and some training and ceremony.  They are ceremony.  They are usually innocent and usually innocent and often wear white.   often wear white.  

http://spencerpeet.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/karate-kid-se-sleeve.jpg

The MentorThe Mentor

These individuals serve These individuals serve as teachers or counselors as teachers or counselors to the initiates. to the initiates.  Sometimes they work as  Sometimes they work as role models and often role models and often serve as father or mother serve as father or mother figure. figure. (1)

(2)

Father – Son ConflictFather – Son Conflict

Tension often results from Tension often results from separation during childhood separation during childhood or from an external source or from an external source when the individuals meet when the individuals meet as men and where the as men and where the mentor often has a higher mentor often has a higher place in the affections of the place in the affections of the hero than the natural parent hero than the natural parent

1. http://p7.p.pixnet.net/albums/userpics/7/0/308370/1178083764.jpg 2. http://www.mymovies.it/filmclub/attori/3994.jpg

Archetype Activity

Get in groups of four (4) by finding the other people who have a character from your story.