Literary ArchetypesLiterary Archetypes

What is an archetype?What is an archetype?

An archetype is a term used to describe An archetype is a term used to describe universal symbols that evoke deep and universal symbols that evoke deep and sometimes unconscious responses in a sometimes unconscious responses in a readerreader

In literature, characters, images, and themes In literature, characters, images, and themes that symbolically embody universal that symbolically embody universal meanings and basic human experiences, meanings and basic human experiences, regardless of when or where they live, are regardless of when or where they live, are considered archetypes.considered archetypes.

Common literary archetypes include stories Common literary archetypes include stories of quests, initiations, scapegoats, descents to of quests, initiations, scapegoats, descents to the underworld, and ascents to heaven.the underworld, and ascents to heaven.

Common Character ArchetypesCommon Character Archetypes The HeroThe Hero: The courageous figure, the one who’s always : The courageous figure, the one who’s always

running in and saving the day.running in and saving the day.

The OutcastThe Outcast: The outcast is just that. He or she has been : The outcast is just that. He or she has been cast out of a society or has left it on a voluntary basis. cast out of a society or has left it on a voluntary basis.

The ScapegoatThe Scapegoat: The scapegoat figure is one who gets : The scapegoat figure is one who gets blamed for everything, regardless of whether he/she is blamed for everything, regardless of whether he/she is actually at fault.actually at fault.

The Star-Crossed LoversThe Star-Crossed Lovers: : This is the young couple joined by This is the young couple joined by love but unexpectedly parted by fate.love but unexpectedly parted by fate.

(i.e. (i.e. Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet))

The ShrewThe Shrew: This is that nagging, bothersome wife always : This is that nagging, bothersome wife always battering her husband with verbal abuse.battering her husband with verbal abuse.

Situational ArchetypesSituational Archetypes The TaskThe Task: A situation in which a character, or : A situation in which a character, or

group of characters, is driven to complete some group of characters, is driven to complete some duty often of monstrous proportion. (i.e. Frodo’s duty often of monstrous proportion. (i.e. Frodo’s task to keep the ring safe in task to keep the ring safe in The Lord of the RingsThe Lord of the Rings))

The QuestThe Quest: Here, the character(s) are searching : Here, the character(s) are searching for something, whether consciously or for something, whether consciously or unconsciously. Their actions, thoughts, and unconsciously. Their actions, thoughts, and feelings center around the goal of completing the feelings center around the goal of completing the quest. (i.e. quest. (i.e. Shrek Shrek ))

The Loss of InnocenceThe Loss of Innocence: This is, as the name : This is, as the name implies, a loss of innocence through sexual implies, a loss of innocence through sexual experience, violence, or any other means.experience, violence, or any other means.

The InitiationThe Initiation: This is the process by which a : This is the process by which a character is brought into another sphere of character is brought into another sphere of influence, usually (in literature) into adulthood.influence, usually (in literature) into adulthood.

Common Image ArchetypesCommon Image Archetypes

WaterWater SunSun ColorsColors Shapes, Numbers, & Other objectsShapes, Numbers, & Other objects

WaterWater

a symbol of life, cleansing, and rebirth—a symbol of life, cleansing, and rebirth—represents the mystery of creationrepresents the mystery of creation

Examples: Examples:

SeaSea—spiritual mystery and infinity; —spiritual mystery and infinity; timelessness and eternitytimelessness and eternity

RiverRiver—death / rebirth (baptism), flowing of —death / rebirth (baptism), flowing of time into eternity, transitional phases of the time into eternity, transitional phases of the life cyclelife cycle

SunSun

Represents energy, enlightenment, Represents energy, enlightenment, and the passing of timeand the passing of time

Examples:Examples:

Rising SunRising Sun—Birth and Creation—Birth and Creation

Setting SunSetting Sun—Death —Death

ColorsColors

RedRed—love, anger, blood—love, anger, blood

GreenGreen—birth, fertility, luck—birth, fertility, luck

BlueBlue—sadness—sadness

BlackBlack—power, death, mystery—power, death, mystery

WhiteWhite—purity, innocence—purity, innocence

ShapesShapes

CircleCircle (Sphere)—wholeness, unity (Sphere)—wholeness, unity

EggEgg (Oval)—the mystery of life and (Oval)—the mystery of life and the forces of regenerationthe forces of regeneration

AnimalsAnimals

SnakeSnake (serpent, worm)—evil, (serpent, worm)—evil, corruption, destruction, temptationcorruption, destruction, temptation

Dark-colored bird Dark-colored bird (raven, hawk)—(raven, hawk)—death, hate, corruptiondeath, hate, corruption

Light-colored birdLight-colored bird (dove)—peace, (dove)—peace, love, lifelove, life

NumbersNumbers

Three Three (3)—represents unity, spiritual (3)—represents unity, spiritual awareness, and lightawareness, and light

FourFour (4)—cycle of life, (earth, water, (4)—cycle of life, (earth, water, fire, air) naturefire, air) nature

SevenSeven (7)—unity between 3 and 4, (7)—unity between 3 and 4, completion and perfect ordercompletion and perfect order