archetypes - mr. tolle: english-language...

Archetypes

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• Carl Jung

• Collective unconscious

• Archetypes constitute the structure of the collective unconscious: they are psychic, innate dispositions to experience and represent basic human behavior and situations.• In other words, they are ideas and inspirations, or insights, that a hero is born

with . . . lasting across generations, eras, religions, and values.

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•The religious and mystique experiences are also governed by archetypes. The most important of all is the Self, which is the archetype of the center of the psychic person, his/her totality or wholeness. •Archetypes manifest themselves through archetypal images (in all the cultures and religious doctrines), in dreams and visions. Therefore a great deal of Jungian interest in psyche focuses on dream and symbols interpretation in order to discover the compensation induced by archetypes as marks of psyche transformation.•We may also describe it as a universal library of human patterns of behavior; . . . the very transcendental wisdom that guides mankind. •Reference (slides 2 & 3: “Who is Carl Jung,” http://www.carl-jung.net/collective_unconscious.html)

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• Archetype:

• A pattern repeated through the ages in folk and literary expressions. An original model on which something is patterned.

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• Symbol:

• Concrete object representing an idea

• Motif:

• Visual detail developed throughout a work. It may reinforce character, enhance theme, or foreshadow plot developments. A repeating pattern

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• Archetypal Themes:

• A. The quest: the hero undertakes a long journey towards a goal. Must perform impossible tasks, confront errors, learn the rules, suffer doubts, and overcome insurmountable obstacles.

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• Can you think of a story patterned after this archetypal theme? Write down at least one idea.

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• B. The initiation (rite of passage, fall from innocence): The hero undergoes a series of ordeals passing from innocence to social/spiritual maturity. Separation, transformation, return.

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• Can you think of a story patterned after this archetypal theme? Write down at least one idea.

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• Archetypal Characters:

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• A. the hero: has unusual origins. Strong, brave, smart, handsome. Often a prince, leader, or savior.

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• B. the wise counselor: Order. Dedicated to good. Wisdom of experience. Advises hero.

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• C. the companion: Befriends and helps the hero. May be unusual or odd.

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• D. the demonic adversary: A villain. Represents evil. Almost as strong as the hero. May take on a monstrous form.

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• E. The sacrificial scapegoat: The hero who chooses to die or allows himself to be sacrificed, to restore his people or the land back to fruitfulness.

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• F. The great mother: The protector of good, home, and family. Warmth, security, fertility, growth are areas of her expertise. May be a sacred woman who intercedes for those who pray for her.

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• F. The terrible mother: Witch, stepmother, siren, or temptress. She is against the hero at all costs. Her loyalty lies with power, not her child.

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• G. The soul-mate: Goodness, innocence, purity: s/he may be royalty; sought after yet remote and distant from the hero’s grasp.

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Name: ______________________________________Story Title: ______________________________________Archetypal Theme: ______________________________________

Archetypal Characters:a. The hero: b. The wise counselor: c. The companion: d. The demonic adversary: e. The sacrificial scapegoat: f. The great mother: orf. The terrible mother: g. The fe/male soul mate:

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