Mythological Archetype so I can do in the morning

how to get rid of

1. Archetypes and the Archetypes and the
MonomythMonomyth
……and why you need to and why you need to
understand them…understand them…

2. ““Now, where have I seen her Now, where have I seen her
before?”before?”
HTRLLAPHTRLLAP
–““Here it is: Here it is: there’s only one story…there’s only one story…EverEver. . One. One.
It’s always been going on and it’s everywhere It’s always been going on and it’s everywhere
around us and every story you’ve ever read or around us and every story you’ve ever read or
heard or watched is part of it.” (Foster 32)heard or watched is part of it.” (Foster 32)
–Don’t believe it? Don’t believe it?

3. Archetype: DefinitionArchetype: Definition
The original pattern or model of which all The original pattern or model of which all
things of the same type are representations things of the same type are representations
or copiesor copies
Universal patterns in stories and Universal patterns in stories and
mythologies, regardless of culture or mythologies, regardless of culture or
historical periodhistorical period

4. Background on ArchetypesBackground on Archetypes
Carl Jung (1875-1961) —Swiss psychiatrist; Carl Jung (1875-1961) —Swiss psychiatrist;
founder of analytical psychologyfounder of analytical psychology
–First applied the term archetype to literatureFirst applied the term archetype to literature
–Believed that part of the human mind contained a Believed that part of the human mind contained a
collective unconscious shared by all members of the collective unconscious shared by all members of the
human species—think: UNIVERSAL MEMORYhuman species—think: UNIVERSAL MEMORY

5. Background on ArchetypesBackground on Archetypes
Joseph Campbell (1904-1987): professor of Joseph Campbell (1904-1987): professor of
comparative literature—specifically mythology and comparative literature—specifically mythology and
religionreligion
–Influenced early by the writings of Carl Jung, specifically Influenced early by the writings of Carl Jung, specifically
Jung’s work on archetypesJung’s work on archetypes
–Applied Jung’s theory of archetypes to world mythologyApplied Jung’s theory of archetypes to world mythology
The Hero with a Thousand FacesThe Hero with a Thousand Faces: refined concept of the hero’s : refined concept of the hero’s
journeyjourney

6. The term The term archetype archetype can be applied can be applied
to ….to ….
An imageAn image
A themeA theme
A symbolA symbol
An ideaAn idea
A character typeA character type
A plot patternA plot pattern

7. Archetypes Archetypes can be expressed in… can be expressed in…
MythsMyths
DreamsDreams
LiteratureLiterature
ReligionsReligions
FantasiesFantasies
FolkloreFolklore

8. Defining the HeroDefining the Hero
Hero: a human being of extraordinary Hero: a human being of extraordinary
qualitiesqualities
–Campbell’s definition: Campbell’s definition:
 male or female male or female
who leaves the world of everyday life to undergo a who leaves the world of everyday life to undergo a
journey journey
to a special world where challenges and fears are to a special world where challenges and fears are
overcome in order to overcome in order to
Secure a reward, whichSecure a reward, which
The hero shares with his original communityThe hero shares with his original community

9. Heroic ArchetypesHeroic Archetypes
Hero as…Hero as…
–WARRIOR: near god-like hero faces physical WARRIOR: near god-like hero faces physical
challenges and external enemieschallenges and external enemies
Ex. OdysseusEx. Odysseus
–LOVER: a pure love motivates hero to complete his LOVER: a pure love motivates hero to complete his
questquest
Ex. Prince CharmingEx. Prince Charming
–SCAPEGOAT: hero suffers for the sake of othersSCAPEGOAT: hero suffers for the sake of others
Ex. JesusEx. Jesus

10. Heroic ArchetypesHeroic Archetypes
–Transcendent Hero: The hero of tragedy whose fatal flaw Transcendent Hero: The hero of tragedy whose fatal flaw
brings about his downfallbrings about his downfall
Ex. Greek and Shakespearean tragic heroes—Oedipus, Hamlet, Ex. Greek and Shakespearean tragic heroes—Oedipus, Hamlet,
Macbeth, etc.Macbeth, etc.
–Romantic/Gothic Hero: lover with a dark sideRomantic/Gothic Hero: lover with a dark side
Ex. Dr. Frankenstein fromEx. Dr. Frankenstein from Frankenstein; Frankenstein; Heathcliff fromHeathcliff from Wuthering Wuthering
HeightsHeights
–Proto-Feminist Heroes: female heroProto-Feminist Heroes: female hero
Ex. Elizabeth from Ex. Elizabeth from Pride and PrejudicePride and Prejudice
–Apocalyptic Hero: Hero who faces the possible destruction Apocalyptic Hero: Hero who faces the possible destruction
of societyof society
Ex. Neo from Ex. Neo from The MatrixThe Matrix

11. Heroic ArchetypesHeroic Archetypes
–Anti-Hero: a non-hero, given the vocation of failure; Anti-Hero: a non-hero, given the vocation of failure;
frequently humorousfrequently humorous
Ex. Homer SimpsonEx. Homer Simpson
–Defiant Anti-Hero: Opposer of society’s definition of Defiant Anti-Hero: Opposer of society’s definition of
heroism/goodnessheroism/goodness
Ex. Kurtz from Ex. Kurtz from Heart of Darkness Heart of Darkness or or Apocalypse NowApocalypse Now
–Unbalanced Hero: protagonist has (or pretends to Unbalanced Hero: protagonist has (or pretends to
have) mental or emotional deficiencieshave) mental or emotional deficiencies
Ex. Hamlet; McMurphy from Ex. Hamlet; McMurphy from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s
NestNest

12. Heroic ArchetypesHeroic Archetypes
–The Other—The Denied Hero: a protagonist whose The Other—The Denied Hero: a protagonist whose
status or essential otherness makes heroism possiblestatus or essential otherness makes heroism possible
Ex. Ex. Invisible Man; The Joy Luck ClubInvisible Man; The Joy Luck Club
–The Superheroic: exaggerates the normal proportions of The Superheroic: exaggerates the normal proportions of
humanity; frequently has divine or supernatural origins. humanity; frequently has divine or supernatural origins.
Is set apart from society, but is nonetheless needed by Is set apart from society, but is nonetheless needed by
societysociety
Ex. Mythological heroes (David from the Old Testament); Ex. Mythological heroes (David from the Old Testament);
SupermanSuperman

13. The Hero’s Journey or The The Hero’s Journey or The
MONOMYTHMONOMYTH
Stage One: The Call to AdventureStage One: The Call to Adventure
–The hero is presented with a problem, challenge, or The hero is presented with a problem, challenge, or
adventureadventure
Stage Two: The Reluctant HeroStage Two: The Reluctant Hero
–Once presented with the adventure, the hero is Once presented with the adventure, the hero is
sometimes reluctant to acceptsometimes reluctant to accept
Stage Three: Wise Helpers/MentorsStage Three: Wise Helpers/Mentors
–The hero meets a mentor who gives advice and a The hero meets a mentor who gives advice and a
magical weapon. The mentor prepares the hero to face magical weapon. The mentor prepares the hero to face
the unknown, but can only go so far with the hero. the unknown, but can only go so far with the hero.
Eventually, the hero must face the unknown alone.Eventually, the hero must face the unknown alone.

14. The Hero’s Journey or The The Hero’s Journey or The
MONOMYTHMONOMYTH
Stage Four: Crossing the ThresholdStage Four: Crossing the Threshold
–This is the moment when the hero leaves the safety of This is the moment when the hero leaves the safety of
his “normal” world and begins the adventurehis “normal” world and begins the adventure
Stage Five: Tests, Allies, and EnemiesStage Five: Tests, Allies, and Enemies
–The hero is forced to make allies and enemies in the The hero is forced to make allies and enemies in the
unknown world, and to pass certain tests that are part of unknown world, and to pass certain tests that are part of
his/her traininghis/her training
Stage Six: The Ordeal/The Innermost CaveStage Six: The Ordeal/The Innermost Cave
–The hero comes, at last, to a dangerous place, often The hero comes, at last, to a dangerous place, often
deep underground, where the object of his quest is deep underground, where the object of his quest is
hidden. The hero faces death in order to obtain the hidden. The hero faces death in order to obtain the
object.object.

15. The Hero’s Journey or The The Hero’s Journey or The
MONOMYTHMONOMYTH
Stage Seven: Seizing the SwordStage Seven: Seizing the Sword
–Having survived the ordeal, the hero now takes possession of the treasure. Having survived the ordeal, the hero now takes possession of the treasure.
Sometimes the treasure is knowledge and experience that leads to greater Sometimes the treasure is knowledge and experience that leads to greater
understanding and a reconciliation with hostile forces or imp. ppl in the understanding and a reconciliation with hostile forces or imp. ppl in the
hero’s life.hero’s life.
Stage Eight: The Road BackStage Eight: The Road Back
–The hero’s not safe yet…the hero is possibly pursued by vengeful forces The hero’s not safe yet…the hero is possibly pursued by vengeful forces
from whom he stole the treasure.from whom he stole the treasure.
Stage Nine: The ResurrectionStage Nine: The Resurrection
–The hero emerges from the special world, transformed by the experience. The hero emerges from the special world, transformed by the experience.
There is often a replay here of the death-and-rebirth in the innermost cave There is often a replay here of the death-and-rebirth in the innermost cave
ordeal, as the hero once again faces death and survives.ordeal, as the hero once again faces death and survives.
Stage Ten: The ReturnStage Ten: The Return
–The hero comes back to his ordinary world…with an elixir of somekind for The hero comes back to his ordinary world…with an elixir of somekind for
his ppl. which he shares for the benefit of all.his ppl. which he shares for the benefit of all.

16. Situational ArchetypesSituational Archetypes
(plot patterns)(plot patterns)
The Quest The Quest
–for identityfor identity
–To rid the land of dangerTo rid the land of danger
–For vengeanceFor vengeance
–For loveFor love
The TaskThe Task
The JourneyThe Journey
–To find the promised landTo find the promised land
–To save his/her peopleTo save his/her people
–In search of knowledgeIn search of knowledge
The FallThe Fall

17. Types of Archetypal JourneysTypes of Archetypal Journeys
The journey in search of knowledgeThe journey in search of knowledge
The tragic quest—penance or self denialThe tragic quest—penance or self denial
The fool’s errandThe fool’s errand
The quest to rid the land of dangerThe quest to rid the land of danger
The grail quest—the quest for human The grail quest—the quest for human
perfectionperfection

18. Character ArchetypesCharacter Archetypes
The HeroThe Hero
–Young Man from rural area—not sophisticatedYoung Man from rural area—not sophisticated
MentorMentor
–Older and wiser, guides the hero on his journey, is usually outside Older and wiser, guides the hero on his journey, is usually outside
accepted society himself. The mentor equips the hero with a gift accepted society himself. The mentor equips the hero with a gift
(either tangible or knowledge) that will help the hero later in his quest(either tangible or knowledge) that will help the hero later in his quest
The Threshold GuardianThe Threshold Guardian
–Is the first obstacle in the hero’s journey, usually a henchman of the Is the first obstacle in the hero’s journey, usually a henchman of the
true antagonist. Serves to test the hero’s worthiness for the journeytrue antagonist. Serves to test the hero’s worthiness for the journey
Hunting Group of CompanionsHunting Group of Companions
–These are the loyal group of companions who assist the hero on his These are the loyal group of companions who assist the hero on his
journey. The quest is not theirs, but they support the hero.journey. The quest is not theirs, but they support the hero.

19. Character ArchetypesCharacter Archetypes
Friendly BeastFriendly Beast
–An animal companion to the hero An animal companion to the hero
The ShadowThe Shadow
–Psychologically represents the darker side of the hero’s own psychePsychologically represents the darker side of the hero’s own psyche
The Devil FigureThe Devil Figure
–This character is evil incarnateThis character is evil incarnate
Evil Figure with a good heartEvil Figure with a good heart
–A devil figure with the potential to be good. This person is usually saved by A devil figure with the potential to be good. This person is usually saved by
the love of the herothe love of the hero
The Creature of NightmareThe Creature of Nightmare
–A monster summoned from the deepest part of the human psyche to A monster summoned from the deepest part of the human psyche to
threaten the life of the hero. Often is a perversion of the human bodythreaten the life of the hero. Often is a perversion of the human body
The ScapegoatThe Scapegoat
–Someone whose death in a public ceremony removes the taint of sin from Someone whose death in a public ceremony removes the taint of sin from
the community. More powerful in death than in lifethe community. More powerful in death than in life

20. Character ArchetypesCharacter Archetypes
The OutcastThe Outcast
–Character banished from society for a real or imagined crime, Character banished from society for a real or imagined crime,
destined to wanderdestined to wander
The Platonic IdealThe Platonic Ideal
–A woman who is a source of inspiration for the hero, who has an A woman who is a source of inspiration for the hero, who has an
intellectual, rather than physical attraction for herointellectual, rather than physical attraction for hero
Damsel in DistressDamsel in Distress
–Vulnerable woman who needs rescuedVulnerable woman who needs rescued
The Earth MotherThe Earth Mother
–Symbolizes abundance, fertility, offers spiritual and emotional Symbolizes abundance, fertility, offers spiritual and emotional
nourishment to the hero…usually large breasted and hipped—nourishment to the hero…usually large breasted and hipped—
symbolic of her childbearing capabilitiessymbolic of her childbearing capabilities

21. Character ArchetypesCharacter Archetypes
The Temptress/Black GoddessThe Temptress/Black Goddess
–Characterized by sensuous beauty, this woman Characterized by sensuous beauty, this woman
is attractive to the hero and will ultimately bring is attractive to the hero and will ultimately bring
about his downfall about his downfall
White GoddessWhite Goddess
–Good, beautiful woman who offers aid to the Good, beautiful woman who offers aid to the
herohero
The Unfaithful WifeThe Unfaithful Wife
Star Crossed LoversStar Crossed Lovers