The Hero ArchetypeThe Hero Archetype

What is an What is an archetypearchetype??

Webster’s says, “an original pattern or Webster’s says, “an original pattern or model”model”

Type is a synonym for symbolType is a synonym for symbol Arche- means principalArche- means principal So, an archetype is a symbolic pattern So, an archetype is a symbolic pattern

repeatedrepeated Archetypes are found throughout life, Archetypes are found throughout life,

history, art, literature, and modern history, art, literature, and modern mediamedia

Elements of the Hero Elements of the Hero ArchetypeArchetype

Unique BirthUnique Birth

A hero's birth will always A hero's birth will always have an unusual aspect to have an unusual aspect to it. Many heroes are born it. Many heroes are born to royalty or are in danger to royalty or are in danger at birth. Either way, they at birth. Either way, they are marked by these are marked by these circumstances as circumstances as different and destined for different and destined for greatness.greatness.

Remember the Remember the beginning of beginning of Lion KingLion King? ? Simba's birth is being Simba's birth is being celebrated. The unusual celebrated. The unusual aspect of his birth is his aspect of his birth is his royal status. His father, royal status. His father, Mufasa, is the King of Mufasa, is the King of the Jungle.the Jungle.

Moses wasn't born into Moses wasn't born into royalty like Simba, but royalty like Simba, but he grew up in the he grew up in the Pharaoh's household. Pharaoh's household. Ramses II had decreed Ramses II had decreed that all Hebrew male that all Hebrew male babies under age two be babies under age two be killed, so Moses' mother killed, so Moses' mother placed him in a raft on placed him in a raft on the Nile, where he was the Nile, where he was found by one of the found by one of the Pharaoh's daughters.Pharaoh's daughters.

Although viewers of Although viewers of Star Star WarsWars must wait until the must wait until the second movie to find out second movie to find out the truth about Luke's the truth about Luke's birth, hints about the birth, hints about the unusual circumstances unusual circumstances are given, such as the are given, such as the fact he lives with his fact he lives with his aunt and uncle and aunt and uncle and didn't know his parents.didn't know his parents.

King Arthur was not only King Arthur was not only born a prince, his father born a prince, his father Uther Pendragon used Uther Pendragon used Merlin's wizardry to Merlin's wizardry to seduce Arthur's mother, seduce Arthur's mother, the wife of another man.the wife of another man.

Hero Leaves His Land Hero Leaves His Land and Family and Lives and Family and Lives With OthersWith Others

Sometimes the Sometimes the circumstances are circumstances are traumatic that force traumatic that force the hero to leave, as the hero to leave, as with Simba in with Simba in The The Lion KingLion King or Wallace or Wallace in in BraveheartBraveheart, both , both of whom lose their of whom lose their fathers violently. fathers violently. With Luke in With Luke in Star Star WarsWars and Arthur in and Arthur in the legends of King the legends of King Arthur, the Arthur, the circumstances are circumstances are more for protection more for protection than anything else. than anything else. Either way, the hero Either way, the hero must leave his home must leave his home temporarily.temporarily.

Simba's father is Simba's father is murdered by Scar...murdered by Scar...

...which leaves our ...which leaves our little hero helpless little hero helpless and forces him to and forces him to leave his kingdom. leave his kingdom. Have no fear, Have no fear, however, heroes however, heroes always return to their always return to their land.land.

Moses also had to leave because he slew an Egyptian Moses also had to leave because he slew an Egyptian slavemaster in anger. That's Moses with the sword at slavemaster in anger. That's Moses with the sword at the bottom of the painting. He is also shown at the top the bottom of the painting. He is also shown at the top of the painting, fleeing Egypt. Moses appears many of the painting, fleeing Egypt. Moses appears many times in the same painting because Michelangelo tells times in the same painting because Michelangelo tells Moses' entire life story in one picture. He did this Moses' entire life story in one picture. He did this because at the time most people couldn't read and because at the time most people couldn't read and depended on images to understand their religion. Now, depended on images to understand their religion. Now, granted, he was a man when this happened, but he still granted, he was a man when this happened, but he still was forced out of his "land". Michelangelo showed the was forced out of his "land". Michelangelo showed the story of a hero visually, just like modern-day movies story of a hero visually, just like modern-day movies show the hero in action. The hero has remained the show the hero in action. The hero has remained the same through time, even until today. same through time, even until today.

The Adventure The Adventure BeginsBegins

An event takes place that An event takes place that begins an adventure for the begins an adventure for the hero. Sometimes it is traumatic, hero. Sometimes it is traumatic, like Wallace losing his wife in like Wallace losing his wife in BraveheartBraveheart, or it is coincidental, , or it is coincidental, like Simba meeting Nala. Either like Simba meeting Nala. Either way, the hero begins his way, the hero begins his adventure.adventure.

Simba initially fights with Nala, but they soon realize they are friends. She tells him of Scar's reign, which begins Simba's

quest to gain his father's kingdom back from Scar.

King Arthur began his King Arthur began his quest by drawing the quest by drawing the sword from the stone. sword from the stone. Not traumatic of Not traumatic of course, but surprising course, but surprising because Arthur was a because Arthur was a lowly squire at the lowly squire at the time.time.

Luke abruptly began Luke abruptly began his quest to fight the his quest to fight the Empire when Empire when Stormtroopers murder Stormtroopers murder his aunt and uncle. his aunt and uncle. Luke left the farm and Luke left the farm and never returned, going never returned, going on to become a Jedi on to become a Jedi master.master.

Special Weapon of Special Weapon of the Herothe Hero

You can't be a hero You can't be a hero without a cool weapon, without a cool weapon, right? It's true. In most right? It's true. In most hero stories, the hero has hero stories, the hero has a special weapon, often a special weapon, often one that only he can use. one that only he can use.

Luke uses a light saber, Luke uses a light saber, an outdated weapon of an outdated weapon of the Jedi Knights, in the Jedi Knights, in Star Star WarsWars. Only a Jedi can . Only a Jedi can master this weapon.master this weapon.

This is an This is an illustration of the illustration of the Lady of the Lake, Lady of the Lake, from whom Arthur from whom Arthur received Excalibur. received Excalibur. When Arthur died, When Arthur died, Excalibur was Excalibur was thrown back into thrown back into the lake because the lake because only Arthur could only Arthur could wield this weapon.wield this weapon.

Here's Wallace’s Here's Wallace’s sword. While it sword. While it doesn't appear to doesn't appear to be anything be anything special, only he special, only he was allowed to was allowed to carry it because carry it because it represented it represented his power and his power and prowess as a prowess as a warrior.warrior.

Here's another painting by Michelangelo Here's another painting by Michelangelo from the Sistine Chapel depicting Moses at from the Sistine Chapel depicting Moses at the Red Sea. Notice his staff (He's on the the Red Sea. Notice his staff (He's on the left, in yellow and green, with the staff left, in yellow and green, with the staff over his right shoulder). That's the same over his right shoulder). That's the same one heone heused to perform miracles for Pharaoh, and also what Yahweh told him to raise to part and close the Red Sea.

Supernatural Help—Supernatural Help—MentorMentor

Heroes always seem to Heroes always seem to receive some sort of receive some sort of supernatural help, supernatural help, whether it be from a god, whether it be from a god, a wizard, or a spirit. a wizard, or a spirit.

Luke in Star Wars gets Luke in Star Wars gets help from Ben even after help from Ben even after Ben is slain by Darth Ben is slain by Darth Vader. Ben has many Vader. Ben has many powers that make him a powers that make him a wizard-like character, wizard-like character, similar to Merlin. Ben similar to Merlin. Ben teaches Luke about the teaches Luke about the Force and later guides Force and later guides him from the spirit world. him from the spirit world.

Perhaps the most Perhaps the most famous supernatural famous supernatural hero helper is Merlin, hero helper is Merlin, a wizard and a wizard and counselor for King counselor for King Arthur. Merlin is very Arthur. Merlin is very powerful in sorcery powerful in sorcery and can even change and can even change shapes. His command shapes. His command of the supernatural of the supernatural world benefits Arthur world benefits Arthur both as a boy both as a boy learning from Merlin learning from Merlin and later as King.and later as King.

Simba sees his father's spirit and also Simba sees his father's spirit and also gets helps from Rafiki, a medicine man-gets helps from Rafiki, a medicine man-type character. Rafiki is the supernatural type character. Rafiki is the supernatural force in The Lion King. He doesn't play as force in The Lion King. He doesn't play as large a part as Merlin or Ben, but he does large a part as Merlin or Ben, but he does influence Simba and provide him with influence Simba and provide him with guidance.guidance.

A Hero Must Prove A Hero Must Prove HimselfHimself

A hero just can't A hero just can't claim he's a hero claim he's a hero and assume his and assume his position, now can position, now can he? The hero must he? The hero must prove to himself prove to himself and others that he and others that he is the true hero. is the true hero. For instance, For instance, Moses performs Moses performs many miracles to many miracles to free his people free his people from Egypt as well from Egypt as well as help them as help them survive the desert survive the desert and reach Canaan.and reach Canaan.

Luke faces Darth in Luke faces Darth in battle several times battle several times during the Star Wars during the Star Wars trilogy. These battles, trilogy. These battles, along with other along with other services Luke services Luke provides for the provides for the Rebellion, his training Rebellion, his training with Yoda, and his with Yoda, and his personal maturing are personal maturing are part of the trials he part of the trials he must successfully must successfully pass through to pass through to become the hero.become the hero.

Here's Wallace at Here's Wallace at the front of his the front of his men, readying men, readying himself against an himself against an enemy charge. enemy charge. Wallace's success Wallace's success in battle against in battle against overwhelming overwhelming odds, along with odds, along with his political his political ability, help him ability, help him to overcome the to overcome the obstacles to obstacles to freedom, which freedom, which was his ultimate was his ultimate quest.quest.

Here's Arthur leading Here's Arthur leading a charge in one of a charge in one of the many battles into the many battles into which he led his men. which he led his men. Arthur's success in Arthur's success in battle, just like battle, just like Wallace's, is part of Wallace's, is part of the proof of his the proof of his heroic status. heroic status. Leadership and Leadership and courage allow the courage allow the hero to overcome hero to overcome obstacles that lesser obstacles that lesser men could not. That's men could not. That's the hero for ya'!the hero for ya'!

Simba, like Luke, is Simba, like Luke, is immature at first and immature at first and unable to be the hero unable to be the hero he will eventually he will eventually become. However, become. However, once Simba realizes once Simba realizes Scar must be Scar must be removed and Simba is removed and Simba is the only one who can the only one who can do it, Simba assumes do it, Simba assumes his proper role as the his proper role as the hero and saves the hero and saves the land from the evil land from the evil Scar. Hmmmmm, that Scar. Hmmmmm, that -does- sound just like -does- sound just like Luke, doesn't it? Luke, doesn't it?

At some point, the At some point, the hero must lose his hero must lose his mentormentor

Before his Before his training is even training is even close to close to complete, Obi-complete, Obi-wan faces Darth wan faces Darth Vader and is slainVader and is slain

Simba’s first Simba’s first mentor is his mentor is his father. father.

He is lost in the He is lost in the stampede. stampede.

Even Moses, though not Even Moses, though not deserted, must wander with his deserted, must wander with his people for forty years. In a people for forty years. In a sense, there is a distinct sense, there is a distinct separation between his people separation between his people and the “Mentor.”and the “Mentor.”

The Journey and The Journey and Unhealable WoundUnhealable Wound

The hero is always on some type of The hero is always on some type of adventure with a purpose--a quest if adventure with a purpose--a quest if you will. He experiences many things you will. He experiences many things on this quest, among which is a on this quest, among which is a descent into a kind of "hell." In this descent into a kind of "hell." In this hell he experiences a low point in his hell he experiences a low point in his life that leaves him scarred forever life that leaves him scarred forever with a real or psychological wound with a real or psychological wound that will not heal. The hero learns that will not heal. The hero learns from this descent into "hell" much from this descent into "hell" much about himself and usually matures about himself and usually matures greatly from the experience.greatly from the experience.

LukeLuke

Luke loses his Luke loses his hand, and his hand, and his friends during friends during the quest to the quest to rescue the rescue the Earth (and his Earth (and his father) from father) from the dark side.the dark side.

Other heroes Other heroes suffer low points suffer low points in their journeys. in their journeys. Arthur never Arthur never recovers from the recovers from the affair Guinevere affair Guinevere has with Lancelot. has with Lancelot.

William Wallace knew his William Wallace knew his execution would make him a execution would make him a martyr, so he was courageous as martyr, so he was courageous as he was in his "hell"--the he was in his "hell"--the dungeon. dungeon.

Moses doubts himself and Moses doubts himself and Yahweh causes him to suffer his Yahweh causes him to suffer his Unhealable Wound: denial of Unhealable Wound: denial of entry to the Promised Land. entry to the Promised Land.

Simba's descent into Simba's descent into "hell" is combined "hell" is combined with his defeat of with his defeat of Scar and the hyenas. Scar and the hyenas. Remember all the Remember all the flames in the flames in the background as he background as he fights Scar? He fights Scar? He symbolically goes symbolically goes where none of the where none of the other lions could go other lions could go in order to help his in order to help his tribe and prove tribe and prove himself. Simba's himself. Simba's Unhealable Wound? Unhealable Wound? His past, where his His past, where his courage failed him courage failed him and his tribe, will and his tribe, will always haunt him.always haunt him.

Atonement With Atonement With FatherFather

Atonement means to offer Atonement means to offer payment for a payment for a wrongdoing. Very often, wrongdoing. Very often, heroes must avenge a heroes must avenge a father or make up for the father or make up for the father's evil.father's evil.

The spirit of Mumfasa, The spirit of Mumfasa, Simba's father, tells Simba Simba's father, tells Simba to be strong and assume to be strong and assume his place on the throne. his place on the throne. Simba, who has been Simba, who has been reluctant up to this point to reluctant up to this point to return to his kingdom, return to his kingdom, realizes he has little choice realizes he has little choice but to avenge his father's but to avenge his father's murder.murder.

Arthur's father, Uther Arthur's father, Uther Pendragon, is unscrupulous Pendragon, is unscrupulous and lustful. He uses his and lustful. He uses his power to satisfy his personal power to satisfy his personal urges, fathering Arthur urges, fathering Arthur deceitfully with a woman deceitfully with a woman under a spell of Merlin that under a spell of Merlin that makes her think Uther is her makes her think Uther is her husband. He looks a bit on husband. He looks a bit on the evil side, doesn't he? His the evil side, doesn't he? His father's evil legacy puts father's evil legacy puts Arthur in a position to atone Arthur in a position to atone for his father's sins and be a for his father's sins and be a good king, helping his people good king, helping his people with selfless service.with selfless service.

Luke's ultimate quest is Luke's ultimate quest is rescuing his father from rescuing his father from the evil of the Dark Side. the evil of the Dark Side. Here, Luke consoles his Here, Luke consoles his dying father after his dying father after his father saves Luke and father saves Luke and atones for his own past by atones for his own past by killing the Emperor, the killing the Emperor, the leader of the Empire. leader of the Empire. Much like Arthur, Luke Much like Arthur, Luke chooses to be good, the chooses to be good, the opposite of what the opposite of what the father chose, and father chose, and therefore atones for the therefore atones for the father's sins.father's sins.

Apotheosis of the Apotheosis of the HeroHero

After the hero's journeys After the hero's journeys are over, the hero is are over, the hero is rewarded spiritually in rewarded spiritually in some way. Normally, the some way. Normally, the hero achieves a life in hero achieves a life in bliss, often in a place with bliss, often in a place with other heroes, like Valhalla other heroes, like Valhalla or the Isle of the Blessed or the Isle of the Blessed from mythology.from mythology.

Examples differ widely at Examples differ widely at this point. Although the this point. Although the movie version of his life movie version of his life takes many liberties, the takes many liberties, the real William Wallace lives real William Wallace lives on in the spirit of his on in the spirit of his country, as shown by his country, as shown by his statue in Dryburgh, statue in Dryburgh, Scotland (right). There is Scotland (right). There is no indication of what no indication of what happens to Simba but we happens to Simba but we can infer from the can infer from the appearance of his father's appearance of his father's spirit that immortality spirit that immortality awaits him.awaits him.

Arthur is called the Arthur is called the "Once and Future "Once and Future King" for good reason. King" for good reason. Here's Arthur being Here's Arthur being placed on his funeral placed on his funeral ship. His body is set ship. His body is set adrift to let the sea adrift to let the sea carry him off, but he is carry him off, but he is promised to return promised to return one day to reclaim his one day to reclaim his throne of England. throne of England. This promise implies This promise implies his spirit is waiting his spirit is waiting somewhere and is not somewhere and is not really dead, his really dead, his reward for his reward for his sacrifice as king.sacrifice as king.

ConclusionConclusion

Elements of the Hero Elements of the Hero ArchetypeArchetype Unique birthUnique birth Hero leaves his land and familyHero leaves his land and family An adventure beginsAn adventure begins Hero receives a weaponHero receives a weapon Supernatural help Supernatural help Hero must prove himself (loss of Hero must prove himself (loss of

mentor)mentor) A journey and unhealable woundA journey and unhealable wound Atonement with fatherAtonement with father ApotheosisApotheosis

Understandably, each story Understandably, each story will have variations and will have variations and creative elements that make creative elements that make it slightly different, but they it slightly different, but they still follow the standard still follow the standard archetype.archetype.

Hero vs. Epic HeroHero vs. Epic Hero

Epic Heroes: Epic Heroes: Often has already done great things Often has already done great things

when the story beginswhen the story begins Often possesses human weaknessOften possesses human weakness Can be “Tragic Hero” if the hero lets Can be “Tragic Hero” if the hero lets

the weakness lead to a downfallthe weakness lead to a downfall Never normal, even before being a Never normal, even before being a

hero, but always endowed with hero, but always endowed with superior strength, knowledge, and superior strength, knowledge, and couragecourage

One of the main goals One of the main goals of this course is to see of this course is to see how alike humans are how alike humans are across time, places, across time, places, and cultures.and cultures.