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)