ArchetypesArchetypesThe Models of Our Entertainment The Models of Our Entertainment and Philosophiesand Philosophies

Adapted by S .BarryAdapted by S .Barry

What is an Archetype?What is an Archetype?

An original model which other things are An original model which other things are similarly patterned aftersimilarly patterned after

An image, story pattern, character type, An image, story pattern, character type, representation, or recurring idearepresentation, or recurring idea

Evokes strong associations to the reader Evokes strong associations to the reader or observeror observer

What should I look for to What should I look for to identify archetypes?identify archetypes?

A shared idea with all humanityA shared idea with all humanity

An inherited part of the human being that An inherited part of the human being that connects us allconnects us all

A constant and universal ideaA constant and universal idea

Though it may differ from place to place, the Though it may differ from place to place, the concept is worldwideconcept is worldwide

What kinds of Archetypes are What kinds of Archetypes are there?there?

There are three main archetypes:There are three main archetypes:SituationalSituationalSymbolicSymbolicCharacter Character

We will begin with situational We will begin with situational archetypes…archetypes…

What is a Situational Archetype?What is a Situational Archetype?

A given experience that a hero or A given experience that a hero or character must endure to move from one character must endure to move from one place in life to the nextplace in life to the next

Actions and events that add to the plotActions and events that add to the plot

A common event seen throughout stories A common event seen throughout stories in may different genresin may different genres

Situational ArchetypesSituational Archetypes Situational Archetypes include the following:Situational Archetypes include the following:

The Quest

The Task

The Initiation

The Journey

The Fall

Death and Rebirth

Nature vs. Mechanistic World

Good vs. Evil

The Unhealable Wound

The Ritual

Situational Archetypes:Situational Archetypes:The QuestThe Quest

A quest describes a search for A quest describes a search for someone or something of great someone or something of great power or importancepower or importance

A quest is never easily accomplished A quest is never easily accomplished and often includes near impossible and often includes near impossible challengeschallenges

The Quest: ExamplesThe Quest: Examples

Indiana Jones and the Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the lost ArkRaiders of the lost Ark

Situational Archetypes:Situational Archetypes:The TaskThe Task

The Hero must perform some The Hero must perform some nearly superhuman deednearly superhuman deed

This is done to save the kingdom, This is done to save the kingdom, win the girl, or find himselfwin the girl, or find himself

Example: Arthur pulls the sword Example: Arthur pulls the sword from the stone.from the stone.

The Task: ExamplesThe Task: Examples

Only the rightful heir to the throne can complete the task of pulling the sword from the stone.

Situational Archetypes:Situational Archetypes: The InitiationThe Initiation

An initiation symbolizes a right of passageAn initiation symbolizes a right of passage

An adolescent may come into adulthood An adolescent may come into adulthood through an initiatory through an initiatory

Very much connected with growing up and Very much connected with growing up and maturitymaturity

The Initiation: ExamplesThe Initiation: Examples

Masons created an initiation process that many secret societies still follow to date.

Situational Archetypes:Situational Archetypes: The JourneyThe Journey

Sends the hero on a search for some Sends the hero on a search for some truth or informationtruth or information

Forces the hero to discover many Forces the hero to discover many unpleasant truthsunpleasant truths

At his lowest point, the hero will At his lowest point, the hero will return to the world of the living return to the world of the living

The Journey: The Journey: ExamplesExamples

Situational Archetypes: Situational Archetypes: The FallThe Fall

Shows a descent from a higher to Shows a descent from a higher to lower state of beinglower state of being

Represents a loss of innocence Represents a loss of innocence

Usually comes with some type of Usually comes with some type of expulsion as a result of disobedience expulsion as a result of disobedience

The Fall: ExampleThe Fall: Example

In the Christian faith, Adam and

Eve were the first two human

creations of God. By choosing to eat the forbidden fruit, the two lost their innocence and fell out of favor with

God.

Situational Archetypes:Situational Archetypes: Death & RebirthDeath & Rebirth

The most common of all situational The most common of all situational archetypesarchetypes

Parallels the cycle of nature with the Parallels the cycle of nature with the cycle of lifecycle of life

Morning or Spring = Birth or YouthMorning or Spring = Birth or YouthEvening or Winter = Old Age or DeathEvening or Winter = Old Age or Death

Death & Rebirth ExamplesDeath & Rebirth Examples

Spring Time is associated with new life and hope for the future

Death & RebirthDeath & Rebirth Examples ContinuedExamples Continued

Winter, cold, and night suggest old age and the idea of death

Situational Archetypes:Situational Archetypes: Nature vs. Mechanistic WorldNature vs. Mechanistic World

Nature represents purity and goodNature represents purity and good

Technology represents evil and Technology represents evil and corruptioncorruption

Nature vs. Mechanistic WorldNature vs. Mechanistic World Example Example

Inventions destroy nature in this archetype

Situational Archetype:Situational Archetype: Good vs. EvilGood vs. Evil

Battle between two primal forcesBattle between two primal forces

Traditionally, Good will triumph over evilTraditionally, Good will triumph over evil

Can be found in almost any movie, book, Can be found in almost any movie, book, or television show or television show

(protagonist vs. antagonist)(protagonist vs. antagonist)

Good vs. Evil:Good vs. Evil: ExampleExample

In Disney’s The Lion King, Simba represents good while Scar exemplifies evil. Most cartoons will depict a good vs. evil archetype.

Situational Archetypes: Situational Archetypes: The Unhealable WoundThe Unhealable Wound

Either physical or psychological Either physical or psychological damage that cannot be repaireddamage that cannot be repaired

Indicates a loss of innocence Indicates a loss of innocence

Drive the sufferer to extremes Drive the sufferer to extremes

The Unhealable WoundThe Unhealable Wound ExampleExample

Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader) will never fully recover from his battle wounds. He is forced into a mechanical suit because of his lost limbs and scarring.

Situational Archetypes: Situational Archetypes: The RitualThe Ritual

Mark a rite of passageMark a rite of passage

Show character’s role in societyShow character’s role in society

Explain a person’s role in the worldExplain a person’s role in the world

The Ritual The Ritual Example:Example:

Baptism is an important ritual of the Christian faith. Once baptized, a person officially becomes a Christian.

Situational ArchetypesSituational Archetypes

Let’s Review. Let’s Review. Situational Situational ArchetypesArchetypes are are events or happenings events or happenings that a character goes that a character goes through in order to through in order to transcend from one transcend from one place to the next. place to the next. They include :They include :

The QuestThe Quest Death & RebirthDeath & Rebirth The TaskThe Task Nature vs. Tech.Nature vs. Tech. The InitiationThe Initiation Good vs. EvilGood vs. Evil The JourneyThe Journey Unhealable WoundUnhealable Wound The FallThe Fall The RitualThe Ritual

Symbolic ArchetypesSymbolic Archetypes

Serve as a representation Serve as a representation of a specific person, act, of a specific person, act, deed, place or conflict. deed, place or conflict.

They are easily They are easily recognizable but not as recognizable but not as common as situational common as situational

archetypes.archetypes. The Archetypes The Archetypes

Include: Include:

Light vs. DarknessLight vs. Darkness Water vs. DesertWater vs. Desert Heaven vs. HellHeaven vs. Hell The Magic WeaponThe Magic Weapon Innate Wisdom vs. Innate Wisdom vs.

Educated StupidityEducated Stupidity Haven vs. WildernessHaven vs. Wilderness Supernatural Supernatural

InterventionIntervention Fire vs. IceFire vs. Ice

Symbolic Archetypes:Symbolic Archetypes:Light vs. DarknessLight vs. Darkness

Light suggests hope, renewal, or Light suggests hope, renewal, or enlightenmentenlightenment

Darkness implies mystery, ignorance, or Darkness implies mystery, ignorance, or despair despair

Light vs. Darkness Light vs. Darkness Example:Example:

The battle of light and

darkness will stretch beyond actual light and dark. The good (light) and bad (dark) can be

seen through a story’s

characters and their actions

Symbolic Archetypes:Symbolic Archetypes: Water vs. DesertWater vs. Desert

Water appears as a symbol of fertility and Water appears as a symbol of fertility and birthbirth

Water may symbolize a spiritual birth or Water may symbolize a spiritual birth or the beginning of something the beginning of something

A Desert typically represents a loss of life, A Desert typically represents a loss of life, hope, or faithhope, or faith

Water vs. Desert Water vs. Desert Example:Example:

Water brings about hope for new life and spirituality.

A desert might bring about loss of life, faith, or hope.

Symbolic Archetypes:Symbolic Archetypes:Heaven vs. HellHeaven vs. Hell

Places not easily accessible by man Places not easily accessible by man are regarded as the dwelling places of are regarded as the dwelling places of either the gods or demonseither the gods or demons

The skies, clouds, or mountains house The skies, clouds, or mountains house the godsthe gods

Canyons, caves, and the inner earth Canyons, caves, and the inner earth play home to the evil forces of the play home to the evil forces of the world.world.

Heaven vs. Hell Heaven vs. Hell Example:Example:

And she’s buying the stairway…to heaven!

Typically Heaven is also associated with light and

nature.

Hell’s Bells! Hell is often associated with fire,

demons, evil, and the unknown places of earth.

Symbolic Archetypes: Symbolic Archetypes: The Magic WeaponThe Magic Weapon

A symbol of the hero’s A symbol of the hero’s extraordinary qualityextraordinary quality

No other can use it to No other can use it to its full potentialits full potential

Traditionally given by Traditionally given by a mentora mentor

Arthur pulls the sword from the stone, not because he is stronger than others, but because of his good qualities and righteousness

Symbolic Archetypes:Symbolic Archetypes:Innate Wisdom vs. Educated StupidityInnate Wisdom vs. Educated Stupidity

Some characters are more experienced Some characters are more experienced and in turn have a mystique wisdomand in turn have a mystique wisdom

Other characters are educated, powerful, Other characters are educated, powerful, and often times…stupid.and often times…stupid.

The wise one is usually an assistant while The wise one is usually an assistant while the stupid-smarty is a leaderthe stupid-smarty is a leader

Innate Wisdom vs.Innate Wisdom vs.Educated StupidityEducated Stupidity

Though they work as a team, Alfred is wise with experience while Bruce Wayne is a college graduate who has a knack for flying by the seat of his pants despite his butler’s advice.

Symbolic Archetypes:Symbolic Archetypes:Haven vs. WildernessHaven vs. Wilderness

Places of safety contrast with the unknown Places of safety contrast with the unknown threatening forces of the wildernessthreatening forces of the wilderness

Heroes often must return to a safe haven Heroes often must return to a safe haven in order to regain health or suppliesin order to regain health or supplies

Haven vs. WildernessHaven vs. WildernessExamples:Examples:

The Batcave. Home of The Batman.

Log Cabins serve as a haven to many who enjoy living in the heart of a wild world.

SYmbolic Archetypes:SYmbolic Archetypes:Supernatural InterventionSupernatural Intervention

God or gods intervene in a given situationGod or gods intervene in a given situation

The gods will often favor the hero but The gods will often favor the hero but occasionally they do not.occasionally they do not.

This is seen throughout Greek Mythology This is seen throughout Greek Mythology as well as most practiced religionsas well as most practiced religions

Supernatural InterventionSupernatural InterventionExamples:Examples:

(Left) Jesus Christ is woken from sleep and asked to intervene by calming the waters.

In the movie 300, the gods intervened when “Zeus hurled thunderbolts and rain storms as the enemy ships crashed against the rock.”

Symbolic Archetypes: Symbolic Archetypes: Fire vs. IceFire vs. Ice

Typically, fire represents knowledge, light, Typically, fire represents knowledge, light, life, fertility and (re)birthlife, fertility and (re)birth

Ice will usually represent a deserted place, Ice will usually represent a deserted place, ignorance, sterility, and deathignorance, sterility, and death

Fire vs. Ice Fire vs. Ice Example:Example:

Fire and Ice constantly battle for life…or death.

Symbolic ArchetypesSymbolic Archetypes

Let’s Review. Let’s Review. Symbolic Archetypes Symbolic Archetypes represent a specific represent a specific person, act, deed, person, act, deed, place or conflict. place or conflict.

Symbolic Symbolic Archetypes Archetypes

Include: Include:

Light vs. DarknessLight vs. Darkness Water vs. DesertWater vs. Desert Heaven vs. HellHeaven vs. Hell Innate Wisdom vs. Innate Wisdom vs.

Educated StupidityEducated Stupidity Haven vs. Haven vs.

WildernessWilderness Supernatural Supernatural

InterventionIntervention Fire vs. IceFire vs. Ice

Character Character ArchetypesArchetypes

A person or being that serves as a A person or being that serves as a representative of a greater idealrepresentative of a greater ideal

Characteristics, actions, abilities, or Characteristics, actions, abilities, or powers contribute to the archetype powers contribute to the archetype characterizationcharacterization

Character ArchetypesCharacter Archetypes

Character Archetypes Character Archetypes include the following:include the following: Unfaithful WifeUnfaithful Wife TemptressTemptress Star-Crossed LoversStar-Crossed Lovers Damsel In DistressDamsel In Distress The Scapegoat The Scapegoat The Devil FigureThe Devil Figure The Creature of The Creature of

NightmaresNightmares Friendly BeastFriendly Beast

The HeroThe Hero MentorMentor Young man from the ProvincesYoung man from the Provinces The InitiatesThe Initiates Hunting Group of CompanionsHunting Group of Companions Loyal RetainersLoyal Retainers The OutcastThe Outcast The Evil Figure with the The Evil Figure with the

Ultimately Good HeartUltimately Good Heart EarthmotherEarthmother

Character ArchetypesCharacter Archetypes:: The HeroThe Hero Traditionally the Traditionally the

protagonist of a protagonist of a storystory

Often his past is a Often his past is a mysterymystery

He is the champion, He is the champion, king, leader or king, leader or savior of manysavior of many

Endures pain and Endures pain and sorrow that all lead sorrow that all lead to a greater goodto a greater good

Character Archetypes:Character Archetypes: MentorMentor

Serve as a teacher or Serve as a teacher or counselor to the counselor to the initiate or future heroinitiate or future hero

Role ModelRole Model

Sometimes a Father Sometimes a Father or Mother figureor Mother figure

The Karate Kid’s Mr. Miyagi

Character Archetypes:Character Archetypes: The InitiatesThe Initiates

Young heroes who Young heroes who must endure trainingmust endure training

Must complete some Must complete some type of quest type of quest

They are Innocent They are Innocent and often wear whiteand often wear white

In order to become a Jedi Knight, Luke Skywalker must complete his training (quest).

Character Archetypes:Character Archetypes: Young man from the ProvincesYoung man from the Provinces

A hero is spirited A hero is spirited away as a young man away as a young man and raised by and raised by strangersstrangers

Later returns home Later returns home where he is a where he is a stranger who looks to stranger who looks to find a solution to find a solution to problemsproblems

Character Archetypes:Character Archetypes:

Hunting group of companionsHunting group of companions

Loyal to the heroLoyal to the hero

Group willing to Group willing to face dangers in face dangers in order to be order to be together together

Robin Hood’s Merry Men never abandoned him despite the danger

Character Archetypes:Character Archetypes: EarthmotherEarthmother

Symbolic of Symbolic of abundance, abundance, fertility, and fertility, and knowledgeknowledge

Offers spiritual and Offers spiritual and emotional advice emotional advice or nourishment to or nourishment to those she meetsthose she meets

In the film The Matrix, the Oracle gives spiritual advice to Neo in his quest for the truth

Character Archetypes:Character Archetypes: TemptressTemptress

Sensuous with beautySensuous with beauty The hero is physically attracted to her but she will The hero is physically attracted to her but she will

ultimately bring about his downfallultimately bring about his downfall

From the X-men comics and movies, Jean Grey and Cyclopes fall in love but she ultimately brings his downfall by turning into the Phoenix and killing him

Character Archetypes:Character Archetypes: The Unfaithful WifeThe Unfaithful Wife

Woman, married to a Woman, married to a man she sees dullman she sees dull

Attracted to a more Attracted to a more interesting or interesting or handsome manhandsome man

Commits an act of Commits an act of InfidelityInfidelity

Helen of Troy left her husband to be with Paris, a more attractive and virile man

Character Archetypes:Character Archetypes: Damsel in DistressDamsel in Distress

Vulnerable woman Vulnerable woman who must be rescued who must be rescued by the heroby the hero

She is often used as She is often used as bait to trap the herobait to trap the hero

Mary Jane Watson is often being tossed around by villains. Lucky for her Spider-man is her boy-toy!

Character Archetypes:Character Archetypes: Star-Crossed LoversStar-Crossed Lovers

These two characters These two characters are engaged in a love are engaged in a love affairaffair

Fated to end tragicallyFated to end tragically

Society, family, or Society, family, or friends do not approve friends do not approve of the relationshipof the relationship Romeo & Juliet ultimately pay the price for

their love through their tragic death

Character Archetypes:Character Archetypes: Loyal RetainersLoyal Retainers

Somewhat heroicSomewhat heroic

Similar to a servant Similar to a servant with hero like with hero like qualitiesqualities

Duty: Protect the Duty: Protect the HeroHero Sam from Lord of The Rings is

the loyal retainer of Frodo.

Character Archetypes:Character Archetypes: The OutcastThe Outcast

Banished by Society Banished by Society or a social groupor a social group

Destined to become a Destined to become a wandererwanderer

Moves from place to Moves from place to placeplace

Until he learns manners, Hancock is the outcast of Los Angeles

Character Archetypes:Character Archetypes: The Friendly BeastThe Friendly Beast

Shows characteristics of Shows characteristics of the herothe hero

Finds villains threatening Finds villains threatening and may attempt to warn and may attempt to warn the herothe hero

Loyal only to the hero & Loyal only to the hero & the hero’s companionsthe hero’s companions

Chewbacca, Han Solo’s companion, may look scary…but he’s really just a big, hairy, heroic baby

Character Archetypes:Character Archetypes: Evil figure w/ ultimately good Evil figure w/ ultimately good

heartheart A Redeemable DevilA Redeemable Devil

Saved by the love or Saved by the love or faith of a herofaith of a hero

May have started out May have started out good, then through a good, then through a fall becomes evil, but fall becomes evil, but returns to good in the returns to good in the endendBah! Hum-Bug! Ebenezer

Scrooge realizes his faults and finds good in the world

Character Archetypes:Character Archetypes: Creature of a NightmareCreature of a Nightmare

Monster usually Monster usually summoned from the summoned from the deepest, darkest parts of deepest, darkest parts of the mindthe mind

Threatens the life of the Threatens the life of the herohero

Often a perverse or Often a perverse or desecrate form of humandesecrate form of human

Summoned from nightmares, Freddy Krueger terrorized teens in the 80’s and 90’s in the Nightmare on Elm Street films

Character Archetypes:Character Archetypes: The ScapegoatThe Scapegoat

Human or Animal Human or Animal

Public Death is a sin Public Death is a sin of the communityof the community

Death makes him a Death makes him a more powerful force more powerful force than when he livedthan when he lived

Character Archetypes:Character Archetypes: Devil FigureDevil Figure

Evil IncarnateEvil Incarnate

Offers Worldly GoodsOffers Worldly Goods

Will tempt, cheat, Will tempt, cheat, steal, lie, and destroy steal, lie, and destroy anyone or anything anyone or anything he comes into contact he comes into contact withwith

Let’s Review! Let’s Review! Character Archetypes include the following…Character Archetypes include the following…

Unfaithful WifeUnfaithful Wife TemptressTemptress Star-Crossed LoversStar-Crossed Lovers Damsel In DistressDamsel In Distress The Scapegoat The Scapegoat The Devil FigureThe Devil Figure The Creature of The Creature of

NightmaresNightmares Friendly BeastFriendly Beast

The HeroThe Hero MentorMentor Young man from the ProvincesYoung man from the Provinces The InitiatesThe Initiates Hunting Group of CompanionsHunting Group of Companions Loyal RetainersLoyal Retainers The OutcastThe Outcast The Evil Figure with the The Evil Figure with the

Ultimately Good HeartUltimately Good Heart EarthmotherEarthmother

In Conclusion…In Conclusion…

Archetypes are everywhere, but we Archetypes are everywhere, but we often just overlook themoften just overlook them

They can be found in every book, They can be found in every book, short story, TV show, or movieshort story, TV show, or movie

Archetypes represent ideas larger Archetypes represent ideas larger than themselves!than themselves!

The EndThe End