ARCHETYPESARCHETYPES In literary criticism, Archetypes are recurring In literary criticism, Archetypes are recurring

configurations that appear in myth, religion, configurations that appear in myth, religion, folklore, fantasy, and dreams, as well as in folklore, fantasy, and dreams, as well as in art and literature; they are used to discuss art and literature; they are used to discuss the significance of a plot, character, or the significance of a plot, character, or situation. situation.

The Hero QuestThe Hero Quest

Also called the Monomyth, the hero quest is one of the most Also called the Monomyth, the hero quest is one of the most enduring of Archetypes.enduring of Archetypes.

Joseph Campbell, in his book Joseph Campbell, in his book The Hero With a Thousand The Hero With a Thousand FacesFaces, defined the classic hero's journey as a series of steps , defined the classic hero's journey as a series of steps that apply to mythological heroes across all cultures. In other that apply to mythological heroes across all cultures. In other

words, Campbell discovered that most all heroes of mythology words, Campbell discovered that most all heroes of mythology follow the same basic journey to achieve their hero status. follow the same basic journey to achieve their hero status.

He summarizes this concept in a single sentence (p30): “The He summarizes this concept in a single sentence (p30): “The hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his

fellow man.” fellow man.”

The HeroThe Hero

Mysterious Birth:Mysterious Birth: Traditionally the hero’s mother is a Traditionally the hero’s mother is a

virgin, the circumstances of his virgin, the circumstances of his conception are unusual, and at birth conception are unusual, and at birth some attempt is made to kill him. He is some attempt is made to kill him. He is spirited away and raised by foster spirited away and raised by foster parents.parents.

Strange PowersStrange Powers The hero possesses some abilities The hero possesses some abilities

beyond that of normal men: great beyond that of normal men: great strength, wisdom, or intelligence, and strength, wisdom, or intelligence, and use of talismans or weapons.use of talismans or weapons.

The Hero CycleThe Hero Cycle The Adventure BeginsThe Adventure Begins

SeparationSeparation Descent or EntryDescent or Entry

Struggle / InitiationStruggle / Initiation TriumphTriumph

EmergenceEmergence The ReturnThe Return

ReintegrationReintegration

The HeroThe Hero

Hercules

Superman

Jesus

The Hero Cycle / MonomythThe Hero Cycle / Monomyth

The Call to Adventure

Separation

The Social Realm

Descent or Entry

Struggle / Initiation

Sacred / Supernatural Realm

Triumph

Emergence

The Return

Reintegration of New Power

The Adversary / Devil Figure:The Adversary / Devil Figure:

This character, the perpetual antagonist to the hero’s protagonist, attempts to thwart the This character, the perpetual antagonist to the hero’s protagonist, attempts to thwart the hero’s plans and disrupt his journey; is evil incarnate, greedy, lustful, usually rich, examples: hero’s plans and disrupt his journey; is evil incarnate, greedy, lustful, usually rich, examples: Darth Vader, Hades in Hercules, Agent Smith in the Matrix, Scar in The Lion King.Darth Vader, Hades in Hercules, Agent Smith in the Matrix, Scar in The Lion King.

The Wise Sage / Guide:The Wise Sage / Guide:

The Sage guides the hero, providing insight, advice, sometimes spiritual strength. The Sage guides the hero, providing insight, advice, sometimes spiritual strength. Good examples of the Guide are: Merlin the Magician, Obi Wan Kenobi and Yoda in Good examples of the Guide are: Merlin the Magician, Obi Wan Kenobi and Yoda in Star Wars, Rafiki from The Lion King, and Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings.Star Wars, Rafiki from The Lion King, and Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings.

The Outcast / Trickster:The Outcast / Trickster:

This character usually takes the This character usually takes the blame for things having gone wrong. blame for things having gone wrong. They pay for the crimes by They pay for the crimes by banishment from the social group. banishment from the social group. Good examples of the Outcast are: Good examples of the Outcast are: Judas in the Bible, Cypher in the Judas in the Bible, Cypher in the Matrix.Matrix.

Archetypal FiguresArchetypal Figures

The “Woman The “Woman Figure”:Figure”:

usually female, as the hero is almost usually female, as the hero is almost always male, can also be a Mother always male, can also be a Mother Figure (provides motivation and Figure (provides motivation and support), a Temptress Figure, who support), a Temptress Figure, who sometimes distracts the hero from sometimes distracts the hero from his journey, or a Platonic Ideal Figure his journey, or a Platonic Ideal Figure who the hero has eventual happiness who the hero has eventual happiness with.with.

Archetypal ThemesArchetypal Themes

Appearance versus Reality:Appearance versus Reality: This theme underlies many works of literature, and usually illustrates the idea that all the This theme underlies many works of literature, and usually illustrates the idea that all the

hero sees is not as it appears to be. Enemies can appear to be friends, familiar places hero sees is not as it appears to be. Enemies can appear to be friends, familiar places can be filled with traps, and even the world itself can be an illusion.can be filled with traps, and even the world itself can be an illusion.

Good versus Evil:Good versus Evil: This is the most common theme in literature, especially Fantasy literature, where the This is the most common theme in literature, especially Fantasy literature, where the

hero (or heroes) are pitted against the forces of evil, and must win several battles before hero (or heroes) are pitted against the forces of evil, and must win several battles before facing the arch-enemy in a final battle to save the world, the love interest, or his very facing the arch-enemy in a final battle to save the world, the love interest, or his very soul.soul.

Archetypal SymbolsArchetypal Symbols

Light / DarknessLight / Darkness Light usually represents hope, renewal or intellectual illuminationLight usually represents hope, renewal or intellectual illumination Darkness implies the unknown, ignorance, or despair.Darkness implies the unknown, ignorance, or despair.

Water / Desert WastelandsWater / Desert Wastelands Water is necessary for life and growth it appears as a birth or rebirth symbol. Water as an element Water is necessary for life and growth it appears as a birth or rebirth symbol. Water as an element

can also be destructive: hurricanes, storms, can signify change or conflict.can also be destructive: hurricanes, storms, can signify change or conflict. The Desert is usually seen as sterile, death-like; many heroes pass through wastelands in order to The Desert is usually seen as sterile, death-like; many heroes pass through wastelands in order to

gain enlightenment.gain enlightenment.

FireFire This element can cleanse or destroy; and is usually associated with the power of the This element can cleanse or destroy; and is usually associated with the power of the

gods. Zeus hurled thunderbolts; Yahweh appeared as a burning bush.gods. Zeus hurled thunderbolts; Yahweh appeared as a burning bush.

Heaven / HellHeaven / Hell These extreme places embody the forces that govern the world to ancient man. Gods lived high in These extreme places embody the forces that govern the world to ancient man. Gods lived high in

mountains or in the sky; the bowels of the earth contain the diabolic evil forces that threaten to mountains or in the sky; the bowels of the earth contain the diabolic evil forces that threaten to consume good men’s souls.consume good men’s souls.

Archetypal SituationsArchetypal Situations

The QuestThe Quest This describes the search for someone or some talisman which, when found and brought back, will This describes the search for someone or some talisman which, when found and brought back, will

restore the Land and its ailing King or Leader. The Quest for the Holy Grail in Arthurian Legend is restore the Land and its ailing King or Leader. The Quest for the Holy Grail in Arthurian Legend is one example of this motif.one example of this motif.

The JourneyThe Journey Usually combined with the quest, the journey is used to send the Hero in search of information or Usually combined with the quest, the journey is used to send the Hero in search of information or

talisman. On the journey the Hero meets and triumphs over several challenges, each proving his talisman. On the journey the Hero meets and triumphs over several challenges, each proving his worth as a Hero. The Fellowship of the Ring is an example.worth as a Hero. The Fellowship of the Ring is an example.

The FallThe Fall This describes a descent from a higher to a lower state of being. The experience involves a loss of This describes a descent from a higher to a lower state of being. The experience involves a loss of

innocence, and an expulsion from a kind of paradise as penalty for disobedience and moral innocence, and an expulsion from a kind of paradise as penalty for disobedience and moral transgression. Adam and Eve are examples of this motif.transgression. Adam and Eve are examples of this motif.

Death and RebirthDeath and Rebirth The most common of all situational archetypes, this motif grows out of the parallel between the cycle The most common of all situational archetypes, this motif grows out of the parallel between the cycle

of nature (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter) and the cycle of Life (Birth, Youth, Adulthood, Old Age). of nature (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter) and the cycle of Life (Birth, Youth, Adulthood, Old Age). Often, a character’s emotional state is also mirrored in the natural world, so where a character feels Often, a character’s emotional state is also mirrored in the natural world, so where a character feels depressed, her surroundings mirror that state by being barren.depressed, her surroundings mirror that state by being barren.