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Archetypes in LiteratureA brief overview of the basics of archetypes in literature.
10th Lit
So, what is an archetype?• From an unknown origin, but are preset at the moment of birth in
everyone.
• They are the symbolic forms in the world’s myths, religions, art, literature and dreams.
• Archetypes are present in every culture & every historical time period.
Characteristics of archetypes:Characteristics of archetypes:
• Shared with all of humanity• Connects us to past and future• Express themselves in various forms• Grow out of people’s social, psychological and biological beings
• Universal & keep common traits• Cannot be explained by interactions among cultures
• Recurrent, happen over all generations & cultures
The Hero• Hero=male
• Heroine = female
• This archetype embodies key traits valued by it’s originating culture.
• Generally superhuman
• Able to perform extraordinary deeds for others
The Young Person from the Provinces
• Hero/heroine is taken away as a young person
• Raised by strangers
• Later returns home where he/she is a stranger who can see new problems and solutions.
The Initiates• Young hero/heroine who, prior to their quest, goes through training
and ceremony
• Usually innocent and often wear white
The Tragic Hero• An honorable protagonist with a tragic flaw (aka fatal flaw)
• This flaw leads to his or her demise
• The death of the tragic hero saves others in the story.
The Anti Hero• A character that has some characteristic that are anti-ethical
• Performs “heroic” acts that are not done in heroic ways.
Onto the ladies…Female Archetypes
Mother Goddess
• Ideas of nourishment and creation
• Worshipped as a source of life
• Has the ability to give new birth to objects that seem dead
The Temptress
• Sensual beauty
• Protagonist is physically attracted to her
• She ultimately brings about his downfall
The Platonic Ideal
• Source of inspiration & spiritual ideal
• Protagonist has intellectual rather than physical attraction toward her
The Unfaithful Wife/FriendThe Unfaithful Wife/Friend
Married to a man she sees as dullAttracted to a more desirable man
Damsel in DistressDamsel in DistressVulnerable womanMust be rescued by the heroOften used to ensnare the hero
In General…In General…Character ArchetypesCharacter Archetypes
The Trickster
A “wise-fool,” rascal who looks out for himself
Inventive agent whose actions can benefit human society
Symbolizes humans’ excess & outrageousness
MentorsMentors
Serve as teachers or counselors to the initiates
Sometimes role models and parental figure
Group of CompanionsGroup of Companions
Loyal companions willing to face any perils in order to be together
Loyal RetainersLoyal Retainers
Protect the hero/heroineReflect the nobility of the hero/heroineSomewhat like servantsHeroic themselves
Evil Figure with Good HeartEvil Figure with Good Heart• Redeemable devil figure• Saved by nobility (or love) of the
hero/heroine
The OutcastThe Outcast
Banished from social group for some crime against fellow people
Destined to become a wanderer
The Devil FigureThe Devil Figure
Evil incarnateOffers worldly goods (fame/knowledge) in
exchange for their soul
The Scapegoat
• Public punishment and/or death gets rid of a sin that has been visited upon a community
The Creature of the Nightmare
• Monster
• Usually summoned from the deepest, darkest part of human psyche to threaten the hero/heroine.
Situational ArchetypesThe Task: The nearly super human feats the Hero must perform in order to help himself or his kingdom.
The Fall: The descent from a higher to lower state of being, usually as a punishment for screwing up (going from god-like to man)
Death and Rebirth: The most common situational archetype. Basically the Hero does someway (figuratively or literally) and is reborn.
Battle Between Good and Evil: When the hero, usually a symbol of goodness, battles an evil character. USUALLY, good triumphs over evil, thus showing man’s eternal optimism.
Symbolic Archetypes:
Wisdom vs. Stupidity: Some characters have wisdom while others, who are usually in charge and make tons of mistakes, do not. These people accompany the hero on his journey to give him advice.
Supernatural Intervention: When spiritual beings intervene on behalf of the hero.
The Underworld: A place of death where the hero faces his fear of death or a great challenge during his journey.
Haven vs. Wilderness: A haven is a place of safety which is typically contrasted to the wilderness, a place of danger. Heroes are often sheltered from the wilderness during their journey.
The Crossroads: A place or time of decision when a realization is made and a change occurs in the Hero.
The Whirlpool: Symbolizes the destructive power of nature
Fog: Symbolizes uncertainty
Symbolic Archetypes
Colors:
•Red: Blood, sacrifice, passion
•Green: Growth, hope, fertility
•Blue: Highly positive, security, tranquility, spiritual purity
•Black: darkness, chaos, mystery, death, evil
•White: light, purity, innocence, timelessness
•Yellow: Wisdom, enlightenment
Symbolic Archetypes
Examples:
•Forest/Trees/Gardens = life, proliferation, immortality
•Mountains and Peaks = Gain insight, spiritual, powerful
•Rivers= journeys, decisions, paths to be crossed
•The Sea = Good/Evil/ human subconscious
•Tower/Castle = Power, human pride, and folly, protection
•Islands = Isolation with positive/negative effects
•Deserts/Wastelands = Emotional and physical wasteland
•The underworld (HELL) (caves, tunnels, "death", mazes) = Discovering one's self, death, unknown
Setting archetypesSetting archetypes