HERO MOTIFS Adapted from J. Richardson, Archetypes, AP English IV D.C. Clemmons 2001-2002

GOOD V. EVIL In classic Hero Tales, there is an obvious

battle between good and evil. Evil is generally oppressive, very powerful, ugly but tempting, and often promises “peace” at the expense of freedom, beauty, friendship or love, etc.

LIGHT V. DARKNESS Light usually suggests hope, renewal, or

intellectual illumination (learning or knowledge)

Darkness usually implies the unknown, ignorance, or despair.

FIRE V. ICE Though sometimes a symbol for consuming

evil, fire often represents knowledge, light, life, rebirth, and warmth (both physical and emotional).

Ice often represents ignorance, darkness, sterility, death, and emotional coldness.

THE UNHEALABLE WOUND The Hero often suffers from a wound, either

physical or psychological/emotional, that cannot ever be fully healed. It sometimes serves as a reminder of his weakness, and can be painful, guilt-provoking, and sometimes ultimately helpful.

HAVEN V. WILDERNESS The Hero often finds a place of shelter to

regain his strength and resources, away from the “Wilderness” of danger, fear, and trial.

NATURE V. MECHANISTIC WORLD In general, in Hero Tales, the more natural or

organic something is, the better. Evil is often reflected in mechanical, industrial, or technological things.

CREATURE OF NIGHTMARE This monster is summoned from the deepest,

darkest parts of the human mind or soul to threaten the life of the hero. It is often a perversion or desecration of the human body.

DEVIL FIGURE A representation of evil incarnate, he or she

may offer worldly riches, fame, or knowledge to the Hero in exchange for his integrity or his soul. The Devil Figure’s main goal is to prevent the completion of the Quest.

Often looks in some way attractive.

EVIL FIGURE WITH THE ULTIMATELY GOOD HEART This character spends most of the story evil,

but is ultimately swayed in the end back to the good side. (In some variations, they may be good all along, but appear to be evil to everyone.)

The evil character often redeems himself with some noble act of self-sacrifice that makes the completion of the Hero’s quest possible.

He often doesn’t survive.

INNATE WISDOM V. EDUCATED STUPIDITY Some characters show wisdom intuitively

even though they are uneducated and “lowly,” and are actually more wise than the “smart people” who are supposed to be in control.

Children and working-class types often show this wisdom.

This is not a call to be uneducated, but rather a call not to lose touch with intuition, childlike wonder, or tradition.