Archetype

A pattern, model, or image that recurs consistently

enough in life and literature to be considered universal.

The Innocent

• Spontaneous • Trusting• A bit dependant• Optimistic

Regular Guy/Gal

• Unpretentious• Expects very little

from life• Teaches reader

empathy, realism, street smarts

8 types of The heroes

Heroic qualities:•Saves the day•Tough•Courageous•Sets and achieves goals•Overcomes obstacles•Persists in difficult times•Sees “enemies” he must conquer

1. The Chief

•Quintessential alpha hero•Born to lead•Tough•Decisive

•Goal-oriented•May be overbearing and inflexible

2. The Bad Boy

• Rebel from the wrong side of the tracks

• Bitter & volatile• Crushed idealist• Charismatic & street

savvy• Hates authority• Prevalent in western

historicals • the perfect outlaw• James Dean in

everything

3. The Best Friend

• Beta hero• Kind, responsible,

decent, Mr. Nice Guy• Non- confrontational,

doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings

• Tom Hanks• Bill Pullman in While you

were Sleeping• Jimmy Stewart in It’s a

wonderful life• Even villains don’t really

want to harm them

4. The Charmer

• Fun, irresistible, smooth operator

• Not too responsible or dependable

• Doesn’t commit to women

• Ferris Mueller• Cary Grant

5. The Lost Soul

• Tortured secretive, brooding, unforgiving

• Vulnerable, loner, wanderer or outcast

• Hamlet• Heathcliffe in

Wuthering Heights• Nicholas Cage in

Moonstruck

6. The Professor

• Logical• Introverted• Inflexible• Honest• Faithful

7. The Swashbuckler

• Action, action, action!!!• Physical and daring• Fearless• Daredevil• Explorer

8.The Warrior

• Reluctant rescuer or knight in shining armor

• Noble, tenacious, relentless

• Sticks up for the underdog

• Most superheroes

Female Heroines

1.The Boss

• “Take charge” female

• Accepts nothing but respect

• Reaching her goal in life is paramount

2. The Survivor

• Mysterious and manipulative

• Cynicism guides her every action

• Tough sense of survival

3. The Spunky Kid

• Favorite of many writers

• Has moxi• Not looking to be at

the top, but to carve her only little niche

• Team player• Ready to lend a hand• Lots of friends

4. The Free Spirit

• Playful and fun loving• Original, acts on whims

and follows her heart,• Might be on the ditzy

side• Well intentioned, but

may leave a trail of victims from her good deeds

5. The Waif

• Original damsel in distress

• Star of most Disney movies

• Requires rescue• Child-like

innocence

6. The Librarian

• Prim & proper on the outside, passionate on the inside

• Leads with her brain- not her body

• Thinks she has all the answers,

• Can be a bit stubborn

7. The Crusader

• Thoroughly modern• On a mission-if you’re

not part of the solution, then you’re part of the problem

8. The Nurturer

• Takes care of everyone

• Wonderful listener, serene, capable , optimistic

• Mary Poppins-like

More archetypes

The Caregiver/ Altruist• Moved by

compassion, generosity,

• Selfless• Prone to

martyrdom • & enabling

behaviors

The Explorer/Seeker/Wanderer

• Seeks to discover the unknown

• Often oppositional• Helps readers to

discover our uniqueness, perspectives, & oucallings

The Outlaw/Destroyer

• Has repressed rage against society or codes/rules that no longer serve

• Ruthless• Helps readers “weed

the garden” for more growth

The Ruler

• Inspires readers to take responsibilities for their own lives

The MagicianSearches out the fundamental laws of science and/or metaphysics to understand how to:•transform situations•influence people•Turn visions into realities

Must overcome temptation to use

power manipulatively

The Sage

• Seeks the truths that will set us free• Must overcome temptation of dogma• Helps readers to see the world and

ourselves objectively

The Jester

• Enjoys life• Prone to laziness• Shows reader how to

turn our work & interactions into fun

The Trickster

Prevalent in most mythologies!• • coyote

Puck

The Lover

Different types of love:•Parental•Platonic•Spiritual•RomanticHelps reader to experience pleasure,

achieve intimacy, make commitments and follow their bliss.

Common Female Archetypes

• Earth mother• Symbolic of spiritual

and emotional nourishment

• Usually wearing earth colors

• Usually is full figured (represents fertility)

The Temptress

• Sensuous in beauty• Brings about downfallof hero

The Platonic Ideal

Inspiring woman for whom the protagonist has an intellectual rather than a physical attraction

A few other archetypes

• Wicked step mother

• Drunk guy/gal• Rich, spoiled

girl/guy• The hick• Girl next door• The buffoon• Rags to riches• Bratty kid

• Frumpy housewife• Party girl• Typical ( insert: race,

age, ethnicity, religious affiliation, career, sport, hobbyist here)

Archetypes• Psychoanalyst Carl Jung theorized that:• specific ideas, actions, & images arose out

of early experiences of the human race• And were passed along through the

collective unconscious of mankind. • And therefore, are present in the

subconscious of every individual. • Archetypes emerge in the imagery of

dreams, myths, and literature.• Some archetypes are used so frequently in

literary genres that they become conventions.

Don’t confuse archetypes with stereotypes.

Stereotypes are:•Clichéd/predictable•Allows no character growth/development

“Any archetype can do anything – the question will always be why.”

The End