Archetypes and Heroes: Archetypes and Heroes: Fast and Furious Fast and Furious

FeracoFeraco

Myth to Science FictionMyth to Science Fiction

17 September 200917 September 2009

To Summarize EverythingTo Summarize Everything

Since we started the week, we’ve Since we started the week, we’ve covered archetypal basics and covered archetypal basics and studied the “plot” aspects of a studied the “plot” aspects of a hero’s journeyhero’s journey

Today, we’ll be focused on Today, we’ll be focused on characters and symbolismcharacters and symbolism

You’ll need your partner for this part You’ll need your partner for this part of the day’s activities!of the day’s activities!

Watch the examples – then find your Watch the examples – then find your ownown

Character ArchetypesCharacter Archetypes The HeroThe Hero

A protagonist whose life consists of a series of A protagonist whose life consists of a series of adventures. adventures.

The circumstances of his birth are often unusual, The circumstances of his birth are often unusual, and he’s often tended to by surrogate figures and he’s often tended to by surrogate figures (guardians, relatives, animals) while growing up. (guardians, relatives, animals) while growing up.

He will often need to leave his kingdom on an He will often need to leave his kingdom on an adventure while young, only to return to it upon adventure while young, only to return to it upon reaching manhood. reaching manhood.

Common characteristics include strength and Common characteristics include strength and integrity. integrity.

The hero will endure hardship, even risking his The hero will endure hardship, even risking his life for the collective good, and leaves the life for the collective good, and leaves the familiar to enter an unfamiliar and challenging familiar to enter an unfamiliar and challenging world (or to walk an unfamiliar and challenging world (or to walk an unfamiliar and challenging road).road).

Character ArchetypesCharacter Archetypes Young Man from the Young Man from the

ProvincesProvinces The hero returns to his The hero returns to his

home or a place home or a place connected to his heritage; connected to his heritage; he’s now a stranger he’s now a stranger whose outsider status whose outsider status allows him to see new allows him to see new problems and new problems and new solutionssolutions

The InitiatesThe Initiates Young heroes or heroines Young heroes or heroines

who must go through who must go through some training and some training and ceremony before ceremony before undertaking their questundertaking their quest

Character ArchetypesCharacter Archetypes MentorMentor

An older, wiser teacher to An older, wiser teacher to the initiates who often the initiates who often acts as a paternal figure. acts as a paternal figure. He gives the heroes gifts He gives the heroes gifts (weapons, food, (weapons, food, information, magic) and information, magic) and serves as a role model or serves as a role model or heroic conscienceheroic conscience

Mentor-Pupil Mentor-Pupil RelationshipRelationship The Mentor must now The Mentor must now

teach the hero the skills teach the hero the skills necessary for surviving necessary for surviving the quest aheadthe quest ahead

Character ArchetypesCharacter Archetypes The Threshold GuardianThe Threshold Guardian

Tests the hero’s courage Tests the hero’s courage and worthiness to begin and worthiness to begin the journeythe journey

Hunting Group of Hunting Group of CompanionsCompanions These are loyal These are loyal

companions willing to face companions willing to face hardship and ordeal in hardship and ordeal in order to stay togetherorder to stay together

Similar to the Loyal Similar to the Loyal Retainers, whose duties Retainers, whose duties are to reflect the power are to reflect the power and nobility of the heroand nobility of the hero

Character ArchetypesCharacter Archetypes The Friendly BeastThe Friendly Beast

An animal companion An animal companion showing that nature is on showing that nature is on the hero’s sidethe hero’s side

The Devil FigureThe Devil Figure This character is evil This character is evil

incarnateincarnate The Evil Figure with the The Evil Figure with the

Ultimately Good HeartUltimately Good Heart A devil figure, but one A devil figure, but one

with the potential for with the potential for redemption or goodness. redemption or goodness. This person is usually This person is usually saved by the hero’s lovesaved by the hero’s love

Other Character ArchetypesOther Character Archetypes Father-Son ConflictFather-Son Conflict

In this relationship, the tension is built due to In this relationship, the tension is built due to separation from childhood or some other source when separation from childhood or some other source when the two meet as menthe two meet as men

The ShadowThe Shadow A worthy opponent with whom the hero must struggle in A worthy opponent with whom the hero must struggle in

a fight to the end, and who must be destroyed or a fight to the end, and who must be destroyed or neutralizedneutralized

The Shadow can represent the darker side of the hero’s The Shadow can represent the darker side of the hero’s own psycheown psyche

The Creature of NightmaresThe Creature of Nightmares A monster usually summoned from the deepest, darkest A monster usually summoned from the deepest, darkest

part of the human psyche to threaten the lives of the part of the human psyche to threaten the lives of the hero and his followershero and his followers

Oftentimes it is a perversion or desecration of the Oftentimes it is a perversion or desecration of the human bodyhuman body

The ScapegoatThe Scapegoat An animal – or, more frequently, a human – whose death An animal – or, more frequently, a human – whose death

in a public ceremony is supposed to remove some in a public ceremony is supposed to remove some degree of sin from a communitydegree of sin from a community

They are often more powerful in death than in lifeThey are often more powerful in death than in life

Other Character ArchetypesOther Character Archetypes The OutcastThe Outcast

A character banished from a social group for A character banished from a social group for some real or imagined crime against his fellow some real or imagined crime against his fellow man, usually destined to wander from place to man, usually destined to wander from place to placeplace

The Platonic IdealThe Platonic Ideal A woman who is a source of inspiration to the A woman who is a source of inspiration to the

hero, who has an intellectual rather than hero, who has an intellectual rather than physical attraction to herphysical attraction to her

Damsel in DistressDamsel in Distress A vulnerable woman who needs to be rescued A vulnerable woman who needs to be rescued

by the hero; she is often used as bait in a trapby the hero; she is often used as bait in a trap The Earth MotherThe Earth Mother

Symbolic of fruition, abundance, and fertility, Symbolic of fruition, abundance, and fertility, this character traditionally offers spiritual and this character traditionally offers spiritual and emotional nourishment to those with whom emotional nourishment to those with whom she comes in contactshe comes in contact

Other Character ArchetypesOther Character Archetypes The Temptress or Black GoddessThe Temptress or Black Goddess

Characterized by sensuous beauty, this woman is Characterized by sensuous beauty, this woman is one to whom the protagonist is physically one to whom the protagonist is physically attracted and who ultimately brings about his attracted and who ultimately brings about his downfall (i.e. witches, vampires, etc.)downfall (i.e. witches, vampires, etc.)

White GoddessWhite Goddess Good, beautiful maiden, usually blond in Western Good, beautiful maiden, usually blond in Western

myth, and may make an ideal marriage partner; myth, and may make an ideal marriage partner; often has religious or intellectual overtonesoften has religious or intellectual overtones

The Unfaithful WifeThe Unfaithful Wife A woman married to a man she sees as dull or A woman married to a man she sees as dull or

distant and is attracted to more virile or distant and is attracted to more virile or interesting meninteresting men

Star-Crossed LoversStar-Crossed Lovers Two characters engaged in a love affair fated to Two characters engaged in a love affair fated to

end tragically for one or both due to the end tragically for one or both due to the disapproval of society, friends, family, or some disapproval of society, friends, family, or some tragic situationtragic situation

Symbolic ArchetypesSymbolic Archetypes Light vs. DarknessLight vs. Darkness

Light usually suggests hope, renewal, or Light usually suggests hope, renewal, or intellectual illumination; darkness implies intellectual illumination; darkness implies the unknown, ignorance, or despairthe unknown, ignorance, or despair

Innate Wisdom vs. Educated StupidityInnate Wisdom vs. Educated Stupidity Some characters exhibit wisdom and Some characters exhibit wisdom and

understanding of situations instinctively understanding of situations instinctively as opposed to those supposedly in chargeas opposed to those supposedly in charge

Loyal retainers often exhibit this wisdom Loyal retainers often exhibit this wisdom as they accompany the hero on the as they accompany the hero on the journeyjourney

Supernatural InterventionSupernatural Intervention Spiritual being intervene on the hero’s Spiritual being intervene on the hero’s

behalf – and sometimes against himbehalf – and sometimes against him

Symbolic ArchetypesSymbolic Archetypes Fire and IceFire and Ice

Fire represents knowledge, light, life, and Fire represents knowledge, light, life, and rebirth, while ice represents ignorance, rebirth, while ice represents ignorance, darkness, sterility, and death (think desert)darkness, sterility, and death (think desert)

Nature vs. Mechanistic WorldNature vs. Mechanistic World Nature is good; technology is evil. Enough Nature is good; technology is evil. Enough

said.said. The ThresholdThe Threshold

Gateway to a new world which the hero must Gateway to a new world which the hero must enter to change and growenter to change and grow

The UnderworldThe Underworld A place of death or metaphorically an A place of death or metaphorically an

encounter with the dark side of the selfencounter with the dark side of the self Entering an underworld is a form of facing Entering an underworld is a form of facing

one’s fear of deathone’s fear of death

Symbolic ArchetypesSymbolic Archetypes Haven vs. WildernessHaven vs. Wilderness

Places of safety contrast sharply against a dangerous Places of safety contrast sharply against a dangerous wildernesswilderness

Heroes are also often sheltered for a time to regain health Heroes are also often sheltered for a time to regain health and resourcesand resources

Water vs. DesertWater vs. Desert Because water is necessary for life and growth, it commonly Because water is necessary for life and growth, it commonly

appears as a birth symbol (i.e., baptism represents spiritual appears as a birth symbol (i.e., baptism represents spiritual birth) and sign of purification. birth) and sign of purification.

This goes for water in its many forms – rain, oceans, rivers, This goes for water in its many forms – rain, oceans, rivers, etc. etc.

The desert, by virtue of its barrenness, suggests the The desert, by virtue of its barrenness, suggests the opposite; death, infertility, hopelessness, degeneration, and opposite; death, infertility, hopelessness, degeneration, and lossloss

Heaven vs. HellHeaven vs. Hell Both represent places (above the stars and beneath the Both represent places (above the stars and beneath the

world) that ancient Man could not explore; traditionally, world) that ancient Man could not explore; traditionally, humans tend to associate the parts of the universe that humans tend to associate the parts of the universe that seem off-limits to them with the dwelling places of the gods seem off-limits to them with the dwelling places of the gods or natural forces they believe govern their worldor natural forces they believe govern their world

The gods live in the skies and atop impossibly high The gods live in the skies and atop impossibly high mountains; demons lurk in the shadows of the world’s mountains; demons lurk in the shadows of the world’s bowelsbowels

Symbolic ArchetypesSymbolic Archetypes The CrossroadsThe Crossroads

A place or time of decision when a realization is made A place or time of decision when a realization is made and change or penance resultsand change or penance results

The MazeThe Maze A puzzling dilemma or great source of A puzzling dilemma or great source of

uncertainty/confusion, search for a dangerous monster uncertainty/confusion, search for a dangerous monster (inside or outside), or a journey into the heart of (inside or outside), or a journey into the heart of darknessdarkness

The CastleThe Castle A stronghold of safety – a fortress – that may be A stronghold of safety – a fortress – that may be

enchanted…or bewitched. Often contains treasure, enchanted…or bewitched. Often contains treasure, warriors, or princesseswarriors, or princesses

The TowerThe Tower A stronghold of evil that often represents the isolation A stronghold of evil that often represents the isolation

of the selfof the self The Magic WeaponThe Magic Weapon

The weapon the hero needs in order to complete his The weapon the hero needs in order to complete his questquest

Symbolic ArchetypesSymbolic Archetypes The WhirlpoolThe Whirlpool

Symbolizes the destructive power of nature or Symbolizes the destructive power of nature or fatefate

FogFog Symbolizes uncertaintySymbolizes uncertainty

NumbersNumbers 3, for example, represents light, spiritual 3, for example, represents light, spiritual

awareness, unity (ex. Holy Trinity), and awareness, unity (ex. Holy Trinity), and masculinity embodiedmasculinity embodied

4 is associated with the life cycle, four seasons, 4 is associated with the life cycle, four seasons, earth, nature/elements, and femininity embodiedearth, nature/elements, and femininity embodied

7 is the most potent of all symbolic numbers; it 7 is the most potent of all symbolic numbers; it signifies the union of 3 and 4, the completion of signifies the union of 3 and 4, the completion of a cycle, and the attainment of perfect order (also a cycle, and the attainment of perfect order (also a religious symbol)a religious symbol)

BloodBlood SacrificeSacrifice ExcitementExcitement EnergyEnergy PassionPassion DesireDesire SpeedSpeed StrengthStrength PowerPower HeatHeat

LoveLove AggressionAggression DangerDanger FireFire DisorderDisorder WarWar ViolenceViolence AggressionAggression IntensityIntensity

EnlightenmentEnlightenment WisdomWisdom JoyJoy HappinessHappiness OptimismOptimism IdealismIdealism ImaginationImagination HopeHope SunshineSunshine SummerSummer

GoldGold PhilosophyPhilosophy DishonestyDishonesty CowardiceCowardice BetrayalBetrayal JealousyJealousy CovetousnessCovetousness DeceitDeceit IllnessIllness HazardHazard

OptimismOptimism PeacePeace TranquilityTranquility StabilityStability HarmonyHarmony UnityUnity TrustTrust TruthTruth ConfidenceConfidence ConservatismConservatism

SecuritySecurity PurityPurity CleanlinessCleanliness OrderOrder LoyaltyLoyalty SkySky WaterWater ColdCold TechnologyTechnology DepressionDepression

EnergyEnergy BalanceBalance WarmthWarmth EnthusiasmEnthusiasm VibrantVibrant ExpansiveExpansive FlamboyantFlamboyant Demanding of attention Demanding of attention

NatureNature EnvironmentEnvironment HealthyHealthy Good LuckGood Luck RenewalRenewal YouthYouth VigorVigor GrowthGrowth

SpringSpring GenerosityGenerosity FertilityFertility JealousyJealousy InexperienceInexperience EnvyEnvy MisfortuneMisfortune HopeHope

RoyaltyRoyalty SpiritualitySpirituality NobilityNobility CeremonyCeremony MysteryMystery TransformationTransformation

WisdomWisdom EnlightenmenEnlightenmen

tt CrueltyCruelty ArroganceArrogance MourningMourning

SecuritySecurity ReliabilityReliability IntelligenceIntelligence StaidStaid ModestyModesty DignityDignity

MaturityMaturity SolidSolid ConservativeConservative PracticalPractical Old ageOld age SadnessSadness Boring Boring

EarthEarth HearthHearth HomeHome OutdoorsOutdoors ReliabilityReliability ComfortComfort EnduranceEndurance StabilityStability SimplicitySimplicity Comfort Comfort

LightLight ReverenceReverence PurityPurity TimelessnessTimelessness SimplicitySimplicity PeacePeace HumilityHumility PrecisionPrecision InnocenceInnocence YouthYouth BirthBirth SupernaturalSupernatural

WinterWinter SnowSnow GoodnessGoodness SterilitySterility Marriage Marriage

(Western (Western cultures)cultures)

Death (Eastern Death (Eastern cultures)cultures)

ColdCold ClinicalClinical HorrorHorror

DarknessDarkness ChaosChaos MysteryMystery DeathDeath EvilEvil MelancholyMelancholy WisdomWisdom PowerPower SexualitySexuality SophisticationSophistication FormalityFormality EleganceElegance

WealthWealth FearFear AnonymityAnonymity UnhappinessUnhappiness DepthDepth StyleStyle SadnessSadness RemorseRemorse AngerAnger UndergroundUnderground MourningMourning Death (Western Death (Western

cultures)cultures)