Researchers have been able to collect and compare myths, legends, and religions of cultures from all around the world.

They discovered that for centuries, people who had NO contact with each other had passed down stories through generations that were similar to the stories of their cultures.

The basic elements of these stories are called ARCHTYPES

What is an archetype?

• A character, action, or situation that is a prototype (or pattern) of human life generally.

• A situation that occurs over and over again in literature: • Quest • Initiation • Attempt to overcome evil

Different kinds of archetypes:

• Character archetype: A familiar individual such as a wise leader, the rebel, the damsel in distress, the traitor Ex: the trickster = Wile E. Coyote • Image archetype: An object or place that has a universal symbol.

Ex: A circle = the continuation of life

Types of archetypes continued….

• Plot pattern archetype: The same basic story told in different cultures, but details may be changed Ex: Lord of the Rings: hero going on a quest Ex: Back to the Future: voyage and return

Types of archetypes continued….

• Theme archetype: An idea that occurs wherever people tell stories.

Ex: good over evil, people can redeem themselves, underworld

Stock Characters

• Stock characters A common character type, such as the tough guy detective, the faithful friend of the hero, the damsel in distress • They do not have same universal qualities as archetypes • They may be limited to specific culture or time period

Archetypal Characters

Character

The Hero

Description

• A larger-than-life character that often goes on some kind of journey or quest • •

Example

King Arthur Luke Skywalker

(Star Wars)

• In the course of his journey, the hero demonstrates the qualities and abilities valued by his culture • • Frodo (The Lord of

the Rings)

Harry Potter

Archetypal Characters continued… Character

The Father Figure The Mother Figure

Description Example

The protector and leader • The protective nurturer and gentle provider • • Mufasa (The Lion

King)

Mrs. Weasely

(Harry Potter)

Fairy Godmother

(Cinderella)

The Temptress A woman who uses her power (intellect, magic, beauty) to make men weak • • Megan Fox (Transformers) Angelina Jolie (Tomb Raider)

Archetypal Characters continued… Character Description

Monster/Villain The antagonist (opposes the protagonist) The Innocent An inexperienced character that is exposed to the evils in the world • •

Example

The Giant (Jack

and the Beanstalk)

Dorothy (The

Wizard of Oz)

The Damsel in Distress Woman who needs to be rescued • • Rapunzel Sleeping Beauty

Archetypal Characters continued… Character

Helpers (Wise Old Woman, Man, or Animal; Teacher or Mentor) The Trickster/The Fool The Underdog

Description

Characters that assist or guide the protagonist •

Example

Merlin (King

Arthur)

Characters who trick others to get them to do what he/she wants— they can be both virtuous or evil • • Characters who are always in the wrong place at the wrong time, but who usually win something of value in the end • • • Yoda (Star Wars) Fred and George Weasely (Harry

Potter)

Road Runner The Ugly Duckling Neville Longbottom

(Harry Potter)

Archetypal Settings

Place Description

The Crossroads The place of suffering and decision The Underworld The Maze or Labyrinth The Castle The place where the hero encounters fear or death Represents a puzzling dilemma or great uncertainty The strong place of safety; holds the treasure or the princess; may be bewitched or enchanted

What are the archetypes?

• For each of the following movies, figure out the hero/heroine, two social outcasts, villain, setting, and symbolic image Example: The Lion King • • • • • Hero: Simba Two social outcasts: Timon and Pumbaa Villain: Scar Setting: Pride Lands, Africa, savannah Symbolic image: Pride Rock, circle of life

What are the archetypes?

• For each of the following movies, figure out the hero/heroine, two social outcasts, villain, setting, and symbolic image • • • • •

Harry Potter The Dark Knight Rises Star Wars: A New Hope The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Cinderella

What are the archetypes?



Harry Potter

     Hero: Harry Potter Two social outcasts: Ron and Hermoine Villain: Voldemort Setting: Hogwarts Symbolic Image: Lightning 

The Dark Knight Rises

     Hero: Batman Two social outcasts: Blake (aka Robin), Alfred Villain: Bane Setting: Gothum City Symbolic Image: Bat symbol

What are the archetypes?



Star Wars: A New Hope

 Hero: Luke Skywalker  Two social outcasts: C3PO, R2D2  Villain: Darth Vader  Setting: The Galactic Empire  Symbolic Image: Millennium Falcon 

The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring

 Hero: Frodo  Two social outcasts: Sam, Pippin  Villain: Sauron  Setting: Middle Earth  Symbolic Image: The Ring

What are the archetypes?



Cinderella

 Heroine: Cinderella   Two social outcasts: Gus, Jacques (mice) Villain: Stepmother  Setting: The Kingdom  Symbolic Image: The Glass Slipper

Archetypal Journeys

Patterns: • • • • • • • • The quest to know who you are The quest to find knowledge The quest to find the Promised Land or to build a beautiful city The warrior’s quest to save the people and rid the land of danger The quest to get revenge The quest for fame and fortune The fool’s quest (a silly person saves the land because of his innocence or foolishness The search for love (to rescue the princess)