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ARCHETYPESARCHETYPESARCHETYPESARCHETYPES
Archetypes
are instinctive patternsrecur in art across cultures
recur in art across timeToday, archetype means original model or pattern
Archetypes
are instinctive patternsrecur in art across cultures
recur in art across timeToday, archetype means original model or pattern
ArchetypesArchetypesArchetypesArchetypesFigures or patterns that Figures or patterns that
recur in works of art recur in works of art from generation to from generation to
generation.generation.Timeless and Universal!Timeless and Universal!
Figures or patterns that Figures or patterns that recur in works of art recur in works of art from generation to from generation to
generation.generation.Timeless and Universal!Timeless and Universal!
Stories / Plots / SituationsStories / Plots / SituationsSymbolsSymbols
CharactersCharacters
Stories / Plots / SituationsStories / Plots / SituationsSymbolsSymbols
CharactersCharacters
Don’t confuse
archetypes with other signs or symbols.
Don’t confuse
archetypes with other signs or symbols.
SIGNSIGNA word or physical sign which
represents one object.initials: U.S.A., CIA, ECAtraffic signstrademarks: “Just do it,” “I’m lovin’ it.”
A sign is meaningless in itself; it gains meaning through use.
A word or physical sign which represents one object.initials: U.S.A., CIA, ECAtraffic signstrademarks: “Just do it,” “I’m lovin’ it.”
A sign is meaningless in itself; it gains meaning through use.
SymbolSymbol
An object that stands for something else. Can be a letter, a character, or a sign.
•the American flag•a police badge•the Greek letter delta
These objects are specific to a culture, a community, some times a specific novel.
Take for instance a Take for instance a snake . . . snake . . .
TIME & SPACE MACHINE
We can put the snake in a time We can put the snake in a time and space machine and send it and space machine and send it to ANYWHERE or ANYWHENto ANYWHERE or ANYWHEN——
ideallyideally——and and mostmost people people would agree on what that would agree on what that
snake means or represents.snake means or represents.
We can put the snake in a time We can put the snake in a time and space machine and send it and space machine and send it to ANYWHERE or ANYWHENto ANYWHERE or ANYWHEN——
ideallyideally——and and mostmost people people would agree on what that would agree on what that
snake means or represents.snake means or represents.
This is a two-dimensional joke: Snakes have no legs to kick with, or opposable thumbs with which to attach a sign.
Snakes are EVIL!
Heracles with the snake - Greece
The Rainbow Snake Aido-Hwedo
QUETZLCOATL is in charge of the
primal waters where all life was created.
The Seven-Headed Serpent
Lotan from Canaanite myths, which served as a symbol of the seven
deadly sins.
Shesha, the world Shesha, the world serpentserpent
In Hindu mythology, Shesha spews fire to destroy all creation
Apep, the chaos serpent
At first, Apep was the Egyptian Sun god. When he was replaced by Ra, he became very angry. Apep became a
symbol of evil.
Medusa Medusa - Greek- Greek
Jormungandr (Norse) will
eventually bring about Ragnarok (the end of the
world)
Where can we find archetypes?
Where can we find archetypes?
MythologyMythologyLiteratureLiteratureArtArtReligionReligionMoviesMoviesComic BooksComic BooksSongsSongs
MythologyMythologyLiteratureLiteratureArtArtReligionReligionMoviesMoviesComic BooksComic BooksSongsSongs
Three types of Three types of archetypes are. . . archetypes are. . . Three types of Three types of archetypes are. . . archetypes are. . .
archetypal plots archetypal plots archetypal archetypal characterscharacters
archetypal symbolsarchetypal symbols
archetypal plots archetypal plots archetypal archetypal characterscharacters
archetypal symbolsarchetypal symbols
PLOTSPLOTSCosmogony (Creation Cosmogony (Creation story)story)Tragedy (The hero dies)Tragedy (The hero dies)Comedy (The hero marries)Comedy (The hero marries)Monomyth of Initiation Monomyth of Initiation (Hero(Hero’’s Journey) s Journey)
PLOTSPLOTSCosmogony (Creation Cosmogony (Creation story)story)Tragedy (The hero dies)Tragedy (The hero dies)Comedy (The hero marries)Comedy (The hero marries)Monomyth of Initiation Monomyth of Initiation (Hero(Hero’’s Journey) s Journey)
ARCHETYPAL ARCHETYPAL CHARACTERSCHARACTERSARCHETYPAL ARCHETYPAL CHARACTERSCHARACTERS
HeroShadowTricksterHeraldThreshold GuardianShape shifterMentor
SYMBOLSSYMBOLS(metaphors/similes)(metaphors/similes)
SYMBOLSSYMBOLS(metaphors/similes)(metaphors/similes)
•Water = BirthWater = Birth•Night = DeathNight = Death•Light = GoodLight = Good•Dark = BadDark = Bad
Can you see anything
problematic about
archetypes?
Can you see anything
problematic about
archetypes?
Anything that suggests that dark is bad and light
is good can be
dangerousdangerous in the wrong hands, and it does
not represent all cultures.
Anything that suggests that dark is bad and light
is good can be
dangerousdangerous in the wrong hands, and it does
not represent all cultures.
Be careful when looking at art, literature, film . . . LIFE through an archetypal
lens.
Be careful when looking at art, literature, film . . . LIFE through an archetypal
lens.
HERO CYCLEHERO CYCLERevolves around a character who leaves Revolves around a character who leaves homehomeOur hero is often of noble birthOur hero is often of noble birth•Is guided by a supernatural aidIs guided by a supernatural aid•The hero suffers a number of trialsThe hero suffers a number of trials * Temptress* Temptress * Monsters / Villains* Monsters / Villains
•The hero triumphs in the endThe hero triumphs in the end
•Often returns home and shares Often returns home and shares knowledge or a giftknowledge or a gift
Notice that the hero Notice that the hero is assumed to be is assumed to be
male because one of male because one of his many “trials” is his many “trials” is
overcoming a overcoming a temptress. temptress.
Notice that the hero Notice that the hero is assumed to be is assumed to be
male because one of male because one of his many “trials” is his many “trials” is
overcoming a overcoming a temptress. temptress.
TRAGEDYTRAGEDY
•Revolves around a person of Revolves around a person of importance, not a commonerimportance, not a commoner
•Horrible things happen to the Horrible things happen to the main main character and those he/she character and those he/she lovesloves
•The hero (and others) die(s) in The hero (and others) die(s) in the endthe end
COMEDY
•Revolves around normal or common people•Includes some form of mistaken identity and a block•The hero and his love get married in the end
THE ARCHETYPAL MANTHE ARCHETYPAL MANTHE ARCHETYPAL MANTHE ARCHETYPAL MAN
HEROHEROYoung, handsome, Young, handsome,
muscular, muscular, courageouscourageous
Mysterious or divine Mysterious or divine birthbirth
Strong (sometimes Strong (sometimes beyond normal men)beyond normal men)
Neither a fool nor Neither a fool nor perfectperfect
Usually follows the Usually follows the hero cyclehero cycle
HEROHEROYoung, handsome, Young, handsome,
muscular, muscular, courageouscourageous
Mysterious or divine Mysterious or divine birthbirth
Strong (sometimes Strong (sometimes beyond normal men)beyond normal men)
Neither a fool nor Neither a fool nor perfectperfect
Usually follows the Usually follows the hero cyclehero cycle
Archetype of the Hero
Archetype of the Hero
•Willing to sacrifice on behalf of others
•Flawed•Types: Willing, unwilling, antihero, group oriented, loner, catalyst, and tragic
•Willing to sacrifice on behalf of others
•Flawed•Types: Willing, unwilling, antihero, group oriented, loner, catalyst, and tragic
LUKE SKYWALKER
LUKE SKYWALKER
AragoAragonn
KING ARTHURKING ARTHUR
MENTOR/Wise Old Man
Older than hero Spiritual and moralIntelligentSometimes has special powersGuide or instructor for the heroOften a former hero
MERLMERLININ
GANDALF
OBI WAN KENOBI
OBI WAN KENOBI
The ShadowThe Shadow
-Represents energy of the dark side-The mask that can be worn by any
character-Gives the hero a worthy struggle
-Represents energy of the dark side-The mask that can be worn by any
character-Gives the hero a worthy struggle
One type of One type of Shadow--Shadow--The Villain:The Villain:Physical appearance variesPhysical appearance varies
Age variesAge varies
Adversary for the hero and/or heroineAdversary for the hero and/or heroine
Kevin Spacey as Kevin Spacey as LEX LUTHORLEX LUTHOR
DARTH DARTH VADERVADER
THE JOKERTHE JOKER
Lord Farquaad
The ultimate Shadow:THE DEVIL
The ultimate Shadow:THE DEVIL
Usually offers a trade or exchange
Manipulative and deceptive
Often physically attractive and well-dressed
Usually offers a trade or exchange
Manipulative and deceptive
Often physically attractive and well-dressed
Satan is . . .
Al Pacino in The Devil’s
Advocate
THE TRICKSTERTHE TRICKSTERHe is a god; yet he is not. He is a god; yet he is not. He is the wise-fool. He is the wise-fool. He rebels against authority, He rebels against authority, pokes fun at the overly pokes fun at the overly serious, creates convoluted serious, creates convoluted schemes—that may or may schemes—that may or may not work—and is sometimes not work—and is sometimes his own worst enemy. his own worst enemy. He exists to question, to He exists to question, to cause us to question, and not cause us to question, and not to accept things blindly. to accept things blindly.
LOKI - Norse
In Native American In Native American mythology, Coyote is a mythology, Coyote is a buffoon, a creator, a buffoon, a creator, a trickster, and a hero.trickster, and a hero.
In Native American In Native American mythology, Coyote is a mythology, Coyote is a buffoon, a creator, a buffoon, a creator, a trickster, and a hero.trickster, and a hero.
WILE E. COYOTEWILE E. COYOTE
A subset of the Trickster: The FOOL
A subset of the Trickster: The FOOL
May have some physical defect--fat, cross-eyed, big nose
Relieves tensionOften a side-kick or
allyHumorous and
bumblingSpeaks the truth
that no one else will.
May have some physical defect--fat, cross-eyed, big nose
Relieves tensionOften a side-kick or
allyHumorous and
bumblingSpeaks the truth
that no one else will.
C3PO &
R2D2
MERRY AND
PIPPIN
The Herald
Issues a challenge to the hero
Can be positive or negative
Issues a challenge to the hero
Can be positive or negative
The Mythological Herald: Hermes
The Mythological Herald: Hermes
Threshold GuardianThreshold GuardianGuards the gateGuards the gate
Keeps the unworthy outKeeps the unworthy outCan be good or evil--lieutenants Can be good or evil--lieutenants
or villainsor villainsAre not always humanAre not always human
ARCHETYPAL FEMALE CHARACTERS
ARCHETYPAL FEMALE CHARACTERS
The Mother Figure(Parents may be threshold
guardians.)Birth, life, fertilityWarmth, protection, securityNourishment
The Mother Figure(Parents may be threshold
guardians.)Birth, life, fertilityWarmth, protection, securityNourishment
Marge Simpson
The Shape shifterThe Shape shifter
Changes physically or mentally
Often femaleFemme fataleThe reader cannot tell if this
character is good or bad.May dazzle or confuse the
hero.
Changes physically or mentally
Often femaleFemme fataleThe reader cannot tell if this
character is good or bad.May dazzle or confuse the
hero.
A subset of the Shape shifter:
The Crone or Witch
A subset of the Shape shifter:
The Crone or WitchOld, uglyMysteriousIntelligentPlotting or conniving
Old, uglyMysteriousIntelligentPlotting or conniving
Jadis from Jadis from
The Lion The Lion the Witch the Witch and the and the
WardrobeWardrobe
Maleficent Maleficent from from Sleeping Sleeping BeautyBeauty
Sadly, the witch is the equivalent of the wise man.
Women don’t get to be smart—and certainly not smart and pretty—without also being
evil.
Sadly, the witch is the equivalent of the wise man.
Women don’t get to be smart—and certainly not smart and pretty—without also being
evil.
Another Shape shifter Option:The
Temptress
Another Shape shifter Option:The
Temptress Older than the maiden, younger than the motherBeautiful, usually dark- or red-haired Deceptive and underhanded
Expert at seduction
Older than the maiden, younger than the motherBeautiful, usually dark- or red-haired Deceptive and underhanded
Expert at seduction
Poison Ivy
Megara from Hercules
The Maiden or Virgin
The Maiden or VirginYoung,
beautifulOften
helplessInnocentSaved by
hero
Young, beautiful
Often helpless
InnocentSaved by
hero
CinderellCinderellaa
COMMON ARCHETYPAL SYMBOLS
COMMON ARCHETYPAL SYMBOLS
WATERWATERThe mystery of creationThe mystery of creation
Birth-death-resurrectionBirth-death-resurrection
Purification and redemptionPurification and redemption
Fertility and growthFertility and growth
WATERWATERThe mystery of creationThe mystery of creation
Birth-death-resurrectionBirth-death-resurrection
Purification and redemptionPurification and redemption
Fertility and growthFertility and growth
SunSun
Creative energyLaw in natureConsciousness (thinking,
enlightenment, etc.)Passage of time and lifeFather principle
Creative energyLaw in natureConsciousness (thinking,
enlightenment, etc.)Passage of time and lifeFather principle
The Rising SunThe Rising SunBirthBirthCreationCreationEnlightenmentEnlightenmentHopeHope
BirthBirthCreationCreationEnlightenmentEnlightenmentHopeHope
Setting Sun=Death
Setting Sun=Death
The Moon: the female principle
The Moon: the female principle
COLORSCOLORS
REDBloodSacrificeViolent passionDisorder
REDBloodSacrificeViolent passionDisorder
GREENGREENGREENGREENGrowthGrowth
SensationSensationHopeHope
FertilityFertility
GrowthGrowthSensationSensation
HopeHopeFertilityFertility
BLUEBLUEUsually positiveTruthReligionSecurityReligious purity
Usually positiveTruthReligionSecurityReligious purity
BLACKBLACKChaos
MysteryThe unknown
DeathPrimal wisdom
The unconsciousEvil
Melancholy
ChaosMystery
The unknownDeath
Primal wisdomThe unconscious
EvilMelancholy
WHITEWHITEWHITEWHITELightPurityInnocenceTimelessness
LightPurityInnocenceTimelessness
Also death, terror, the supernatural
Also death, terror, the supernatural
CIRCLECIRCLE
Wholeness and UnityWholeness and Unity
EGGEGGEGGEGGFertility and the Mystery of LifeFertility and the Mystery of LifeFertility and the Mystery of LifeFertility and the Mystery of Life
GARDENGARDENParadiseInnocenceUnspoiled BeautyFertility
ParadiseInnocenceUnspoiled BeautyFertility
TREETREEGrowthGeneration
& regeneration
Inexhaustible life
Immortality
GrowthGeneration
& regeneration
Inexhaustible life
Immortality
DESERT DESERTDeathHopelessness
DeathHopelessness
And we cannot forget the character who runs the show in most mythology . . .
And we cannot forget the character who runs the show in most mythology . . .
OMNIPOTENT, OMNIPOTENT, OMNISCIENT DEITYOMNISCIENT DEITY
OMNIPOTENT, OMNIPOTENT, OMNISCIENT DEITYOMNISCIENT DEITY
Sources:Sources:Edith HamiltonCarl JungJoseph CampbellToni McNaron
Edith HamiltonCarl JungJoseph CampbellToni McNaron
How do you apply archetypal criticism to a text?
Does the story Does the story seem to have seem to have
echoes of echoes of something larger something larger
than just the piece than just the piece itself? itself?
It may contain It may contain archetypes.archetypes.
Look for Look for subvertedsubverted archetypes, places archetypes, places where the author where the author
created an created an archetypal setting, archetypal setting,
plot, symbol, or plot, symbol, or character only to character only to
turn it on its head.turn it on its head.
Look for Look for subvertedsubverted archetypes, places archetypes, places where the author where the author
created an created an archetypal setting, archetypal setting,
plot, symbol, or plot, symbol, or character only to character only to
turn it on its head.turn it on its head.
Examine the text for plots, Examine the text for plots, symbols, or characters that symbols, or characters that
are archetypal and try to are archetypal and try to figure out WHY the author figure out WHY the author would use these universal would use these universal
elements. What effect does elements. What effect does their use have on the story their use have on the story
as a whole?as a whole?
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