Archetypes in LiteratureA brief overview of the basics of archetypes in literature.

10th Lit

So, what is an archetype?• From an unknown origin, but are preset at the moment of birth in

everyone.

• They are the symbolic forms in the world’s myths, religions, art, literature and dreams.

• Archetypes are present in every culture & every historical time period.

Characteristics of archetypes:Characteristics of archetypes:

• Shared with all of humanity• Connects us to past and future• Express themselves in various forms• Grow out of people’s social, psychological and biological beings

• Universal & keep common traits• Cannot be explained by interactions among cultures

• Recurrent, happen over all generations & cultures

The Hero• Hero=male

• Heroine = female

• This archetype embodies key traits valued by it’s originating culture.

• Generally superhuman

• Able to perform extraordinary deeds for others

The Young Person from the Provinces

• Hero/heroine is taken away as a young person

• Raised by strangers

• Later returns home where he/she is a stranger who can see new problems and solutions.

The Initiates• Young hero/heroine who, prior to their quest, goes through training

and ceremony

• Usually innocent and often wear white

The Tragic Hero• An honorable protagonist with a tragic flaw (aka fatal flaw)

• This flaw leads to his or her demise

• The death of the tragic hero saves others in the story.

The Anti Hero• A character that has some characteristic that are anti-ethical

• Performs “heroic” acts that are not done in heroic ways.

Onto the ladies…Female Archetypes

Mother Goddess

• Ideas of nourishment and creation

• Worshipped as a source of life

• Has the ability to give new birth to objects that seem dead

The Temptress

• Sensual beauty

• Protagonist is physically attracted to her

• She ultimately brings about his downfall

The Platonic Ideal

• Source of inspiration & spiritual ideal

• Protagonist has intellectual rather than physical attraction toward her

The Unfaithful Wife/FriendThe Unfaithful Wife/Friend

Married to a man she sees as dullAttracted to a more desirable man

Damsel in DistressDamsel in DistressVulnerable womanMust be rescued by the heroOften used to ensnare the hero

In General…In General…Character ArchetypesCharacter Archetypes

The Trickster

A “wise-fool,” rascal who looks out for himself

Inventive agent whose actions can benefit human society

Symbolizes humans’ excess & outrageousness

MentorsMentors

Serve as teachers or counselors to the initiates

Sometimes role models and parental figure

Group of CompanionsGroup of Companions

Loyal companions willing to face any perils in order to be together

Loyal RetainersLoyal Retainers

Protect the hero/heroineReflect the nobility of the hero/heroineSomewhat like servantsHeroic themselves

Evil Figure with Good HeartEvil Figure with Good Heart• Redeemable devil figure• Saved by nobility (or love) of the

hero/heroine

The OutcastThe Outcast

Banished from social group for some crime against fellow people

Destined to become a wanderer

The Devil FigureThe Devil Figure

Evil incarnateOffers worldly goods (fame/knowledge) in

exchange for their soul

The Scapegoat

• Public punishment and/or death gets rid of a sin that has been visited upon a community

The Creature of the Nightmare

• Monster

• Usually summoned from the deepest, darkest part of human psyche to threaten the hero/heroine.

Situational ArchetypesThe Task: The nearly super human feats the Hero must perform in order to help himself or his kingdom.

The Fall: The descent from a higher to lower state of being, usually as a punishment for screwing up (going from god-like to man)

Death and Rebirth: The most common situational archetype. Basically the Hero does someway (figuratively or literally) and is reborn.

Battle Between Good and Evil: When the hero, usually a symbol of goodness, battles an evil character. USUALLY, good triumphs over evil, thus showing man’s eternal optimism.

Symbolic Archetypes:

Wisdom vs. Stupidity: Some characters have wisdom while others, who are usually in charge and make tons of mistakes, do not. These people accompany the hero on his journey to give him advice.

Supernatural Intervention: When spiritual beings intervene on behalf of the hero.

The Underworld: A place of death where the hero faces his fear of death or a great challenge during his journey.

Haven vs. Wilderness: A haven is a place of safety which is typically contrasted to the wilderness, a place of danger. Heroes are often sheltered from the wilderness during their journey.

The Crossroads: A place or time of decision when a realization is made and a change occurs in the Hero.

The Whirlpool: Symbolizes the destructive power of nature

Fog: Symbolizes uncertainty

Symbolic Archetypes

Colors:

•Red: Blood, sacrifice, passion

•Green: Growth, hope, fertility

•Blue: Highly positive, security, tranquility, spiritual purity

•Black: darkness, chaos, mystery, death, evil

•White: light, purity, innocence, timelessness

•Yellow: Wisdom, enlightenment

Symbolic Archetypes

Examples:

•Forest/Trees/Gardens = life, proliferation, immortality

•Mountains and Peaks = Gain insight, spiritual, powerful

•Rivers= journeys, decisions, paths to be crossed

•The Sea = Good/Evil/ human subconscious

•Tower/Castle = Power, human pride, and folly, protection

•Islands = Isolation with positive/negative effects

•Deserts/Wastelands = Emotional and physical wasteland

•The underworld (HELL) (caves, tunnels, "death", mazes) = Discovering one's self, death, unknown

Setting archetypesSetting archetypes