Transcript Archetype PPT

Discuss the similarities
Why
do
we
see
such
between Cinderella and Snow
commonalities
White
or the similarities
between Batman
and
amongst
storylines
Spiderman. What events
and
characters?
happen in each story that
make them similar?
ARCHETYPES IN LITERATURE
“There are only two or three human stories,
and they go on repeating themselves as
fiercely as if they had never happened
before.”
~Willa Cather
Archetype
A pattern that appears in literature across cultures
and is repeated through the ages. An archetype
can be a character, a plot/theme, and/or
symbol/number.
For example, the audience sees the hero’s quest as an
archetypal plotline in myths and legends from different
cultures around the world…The Odyssey, Lord of the
Rings, Indiana Jones, The Princess Bride…
Origin
The term "archetype" has its origins in ancient
Greek. The root words are archein, which means
"original or old"; and typos, which means
"pattern, model or type". The combined meaning
is an "original pattern" of which all other similar
persons, objects, or concepts are derived, copied,
modeled, or emulated.
GET IT?
Jung
The psychologist, Carl Gustav Jung, used the concept of archetype
in his theory of the human psyche. He believed that universal,
mythic characters—archetypes—reside within the collective
unconscious of people all over the world! Archetypes represent
fundamental human motifs (pattern or domainate idea/feature) of
our experience as we evolved; consequentially, they evoke deep
emotions.
Although there are many different archetypes, Jung defined twelve
primary types that symbolize basic human motivations. Each type
has its own set of values, meanings and personality traits. Also, the
twelve types are divided into three sets of four, namely Ego, Soul
and Self. The types in each set share a common driving source, for
example types within the Ego set are driven to fulfill ego-defined
agendas.
Jung’s archetypes: continued
These are just some of Carl Jung’s archetypes taken
mostly from sci-fi and fantasy movies.
Jung’s archetypes in movies
The Hero
 The Hero is a protagonist whose life is a series of
adventures.
 Characterized by courage, strength, and honor, the hero
will endure hardship, even risk his life for the good of all.
 sets the standard for leadership in a society
 often leaves the familiar to enter an unfamiliar and
challenging world
The Mentor/ Sage
 The Mentor is an older, wiser teacher
to the initiates.
 He often serves as a father or mother
figure.
 He gives the hero gifts (weapons,
food, magic, information), serves as
a role model or as hero’s conscience.
The Woman Figure
* Damsel in Distress (the innocent)-
A vulnerable woman who needs to be rescued by the hero. She is
often used as a trap to ensnare the unsuspecting hero.
* The Temptress or Black Goddess (outlaw/lover)-
Characterized by sensuous beauty, this woman is one to whom
the protagonist is physically attracted and who ultimately
brings about his downfall. May appear as a witch or vampire
* Star-Crossed Lovers (lover)-
Two characters engaged in a love affair fated to end tragically for
one or both due to the disapproval of society, friends, family, or
some tragic situation.

The Earth mother (caregiver)
More Characters…
* The Outcast
A character banished from a social group for some real or
imagined crime against his fellow man, usually destined to
wander from place to place.
* The Scapegoat (innocent)
An animal, or more usually a human, whose death in a
public ceremony expiates some taint or sin of a community.
They are often more powerful in death than in life.
* The Faithful Companion (everyman or jester)
* The Christ-like figure (Savior) (innocent)
More Characters…
* The Devil Figure (outlaw)-
This character is evil incarnate (embodied).
* The Evil Figure with Ultimately Good Heart-
A devil figure with the potential to be good. This person is
usually saved by the love of the hero.
* The Trickster (jester)
* The Mad Scientist (outlaw/ explorer/
creator/magician)
Archetypal Themes/ Situations…
 good vs. evil
 Quest for identity
 Quest for love
 Quest for a better city/land
 misfit in society
*
*
*
*
*
Death/rebirth
Chaos
Creation
Flood/ punishment
Nature v. mechanical world
 interpretation of dreams
 dead returning to life or advising the living
Remember-- An
archetype is
always symbolic,
but a symbol is
NOT always an
archetype!
Seasons
 Spring, the time of planting and growth is related in the
imagination to youth, hope, courtship and love, rebirth
 Summer, a time of ripening, is related to the maturing of relations,
to comradeship and community, to fertility and passion, life
 Fall, the time of harvest, is related to reflection and declining vigor,
death/dying
 Winter, when the earth seems sterile, is related to death and
emptiness, without life/death
Water
*
Water: birth-death-resurrection; source of life; purification and
redemption; fertility and growth, beginning and end of all, eternity,
baptism, time
 Flood- drowning and dissolving death (dangerous energy when it
overflows)

Sea/ocean: the mother of all life; spiritual mystery; death and/or
rebirth; timelessness and eternity.

Rivers: death and rebirth; the flowing of time into eternity;
transitional phases of the life cycle
Sun
 Sun (fire and sky are closely related)- creative energy; thinking,
enlightenment, wisdom, spiritual vision.
 Rising sun- birth, creation, enlightenment.
 Setting sun- death.
Colors
 Red: blood, sacrifice, passion, disorder, violence, love, hell, danger
 Green: growth, hope, fertility
 Blue: highly positive; secure; tranquil; spiritual purity, reflection
[contemporary- truth, fidelity]
 Black: darkness, mystery, the unknown, death, wisdom, evil, mourning,
lack of consciousness
 White: light, purity, innocence, timelessness, truth, transformation
(whitening ashes); [negative: death, terror, supernatural]
 Yellow: enlightenment, wisdom, intuition [contemporary- cowardice]
Numbers
 3 - light, spiritual awareness, unity (the Holy Trinity)
 4 - associated with the circle, life cycle, four seasons; earth, nature,
elements
 7 - the most powerful of all symbolic numbers signifying the union of
three and four, the completion of a cycle, perfect order, perfect number;
religious symbol
More Symbolic Archetypes…
 Garden: paradise (Eden), innocence, unspoiled beauty, fertility
 Tree: denotes life of the cosmos; growth; proliferation; symbol of
immortality; phallic symbol
 Desert: spiritual emptiness; death; hopelessness
 Serpent (snake, worm): symbol of energy and pure force; evil,
corruption, sensuality, destruction and wisdom
 Light vs. Darkness
 Water vs. Desert
 Innate wisdom vs. Educated stupidity
What archetypes do you see?
 Shrek
 Rudy
 Romeo and Juliet
 The Lion King
 Harry Potter
 Independence Day
Archetypes in Fairy Tales
Step 1: As you read the fairy tales, highlight/note any key information on
notebook paper.
Step 2: Draw and complete the chart below identifying the archetypes
present.
Step 3: Present findings to the class.
Archetype
Explanation of
Representation within
Story