Character Archetypes

Character Archetypes

1. Archetypes

2. What is an archetype an image, character, story, symbol, situation, or pattern that has been used since the earliest times to represent a universal idea throughout all human cultures a universal symbol (a symbol is a concrete object used to represent an abstract idea)

3. Who’s responsible for this? The word is derived from the Greek “ archetypos ,” meaning “beginning or original pattern from which later things are made. ”The term was first used by the psychologist, Carl Jung, who spent much time studying people’s dreams as well as myths and legends from around the world. He recognized similarities in the types of symbols and stories that humans recalled. These similarities led him to the conclusion that a “collective unconscious” existed – a collection of inherited stories and images that exist in the subconscious of every human being.

4. …but what does that all mean? Basically, Carl Jung determined that people everywhere can recognize the same symbols, or the same archetypes, because they are concrete representations of universal human experiences.

5.  Why study archetypes? The study of archetypes can help you make the leap from literal to symbolic interpretation of a work of art, whether it be literature, a painting, or a film. You’ve been studying archetypes throughout your entire life. You just didn’t know it!

6.   Archetype Categories There are 3 main categories of archetypes. Symbolic Character Situational

7.   Symbolic Archetypes

8.   Symbolic Archetypes Contd.

9.   Symbolic Archetypes Contd.

10.   Symbolic Archetypes Contd.

11.   Character Archetypes Characterized by self-sacrifice, heroes will endure separation and hardship for the sake of their people must pay a price to attain their goals The Hero

12. Common Characteristics of the hero archetype: Born and raised in a rural setting away from cities Is of mysterious origin or becomes orphaned at an early age and is raised by animals or a wise guardian Has a mentor or teacher Loves and admires a beautiful lady Must go on a journey, learn a lesson, change in some way Is special, one of a kind Is helped by divine, supernatural forces Struggles for something valuable or important Has a loyal band of companions Is prepared to fight or die at any moment

13.   Character Archetypes

14.   Character Archetypes Contd.

15.   Character Archetypes Contd.

16. The Hero’s Journey Ordinary World: hero's normal life at the start of the story, before the adventure begins Call to Adventure: hero is faced with something that makes them begin the adventure (might be a problem or a challenge they need to overcome)Refusal or Acceptance of the Call: hero may initially refuse but will ultimately accept the call by force, chance, mistake or choice Meeting the Mentor: encounters someone who can give advice and assistance, and ready the hero for the journey ahead Supernatural Aid: help from a source beyond the natural world; a mentor, magic, divine intervention Crossing the Threshold: hero leaves the ordinary world, entering the special world (sometimes by defeating the guardian of the threshold)The Task: the action which heroes must perform in order to save the people Allies: group of companions loyal to the hero; help the hero in the quest

17. The Hero’s Journey Contd. Tests and Trials: ordeals and strengths of will undergone by the hero in order to attain full status/maturity Enemies: the devil figure or villain that the hero must defeat Approach to the Inmost Cave: time to face the biggest ordeal or hero’s worst fear (belly of the whale)Crisis: the abyss, or the downfall of the hero, where they face a major obstacle or even death, and they may die Resurrection: hero emerges with a new sense of self; can be literal or symbolic Reward (Seizing the Sword): hero earns the reward or accomplishes the goal (the elixir, holy grail, new powers, wisdom, etc.)Return with the Elixir: hero begins the journey back to their ordinary life with the reward, having grown as a person, learned many things, and faced many terrible dangers Resolution: hero uses new wisdom to restore order and peace to the land

18. Current Archetype Trend Recently, in film, it has become very trendy to mock or satirize archetypes. For example, movies like Shrek, The Princess Bride, and Enchanted all take fairy tale concepts, characters, places and situations and exaggerate them for comedic effect.

19. You see? You’ve been studying archetypes since you started reading BOOKS AND watching TV/movies, and you didn’t even know it!  Now let’s see how many examples you can come up with: Think about examples we’ve discussed in class, as well as others you can come up with.