Archetypes in Literature

Archetypes in Literature

English IS. Serrano

English IS. Serrano

The QuestThe Quest

Describes the search for someone or something which, when found and brought back, will restore fertility to a wasted land

Describes the search for someone or something which, when found and brought back, will restore fertility to a wasted land

The TaskThe Task

Nearly superhuman deed the hero must perform in order to save the kingdom, win the fair lady, identify himself so that he may reassume his rightful position, etc.

NOT the same as the Quest A function of the ultimate

goal

Nearly superhuman deed the hero must perform in order to save the kingdom, win the fair lady, identify himself so that he may reassume his rightful position, etc.

NOT the same as the Quest A function of the ultimate

goal

The JourneyThe Journey

The hero must go in search for some truth or information necessary to restore fertility to the kingdom

Usually, the hero descends into a real or psychological hell and is forced to discover the blackest truths, often concerning his faults

The hero must go in search for some truth or information necessary to restore fertility to the kingdom

Usually, the hero descends into a real or psychological hell and is forced to discover the blackest truths, often concerning his faults

The JourneyThe Journey

Once the hero is at this lowest point, he must accept personal responsibility to return to his normal world

A second use of this pattern is the depiction of a limited number of travelers on a sea voyage, bus ride, or any other trip for the purpose of isolating them and using them as a microcosm of society

Once the hero is at this lowest point, he must accept personal responsibility to return to his normal world

A second use of this pattern is the depiction of a limited number of travelers on a sea voyage, bus ride, or any other trip for the purpose of isolating them and using them as a microcosm of society

The InitiationThe Initiation

This ritual usually takes the form of a rite of passage into adult life, or a coming of age

The hero comes into his/her maturity with new awareness, along with new hope for the community

Often the climax of the story

This ritual usually takes the form of a rite of passage into adult life, or a coming of age

The hero comes into his/her maturity with new awareness, along with new hope for the community

Often the climax of the story

The FallThe Fall

Describes a descent (drop) from a higher state of being to a lower state of being

Involves a defilement or loss of innocence and bliss

Often accompanied by expulsion from a kind of paradise as a penalty for disobedience and moral transgression

Describes a descent (drop) from a higher state of being to a lower state of being

Involves a defilement or loss of innocence and bliss

Often accompanied by expulsion from a kind of paradise as a penalty for disobedience and moral transgression

Death and RebirthDeath and Rebirth

The most common of all situational archetypes, this motif grows out of the parallel between the cycle of nature and the cycle of life

Morning and springtime represent birth, youth or rebirth, while evening and winter suggest old age or death

The most common of all situational archetypes, this motif grows out of the parallel between the cycle of nature and the cycle of life

Morning and springtime represent birth, youth or rebirth, while evening and winter suggest old age or death

Nature vs. Mechanistic World

Nature vs. Mechanistic World

Nature is good Technology and society

are often evil

Nature is good Technology and society

are often evil

Good vs. EvilGood vs. Evil

The battle between two primal forces

Mankind shows eternal optimism in the continual portrayal of good triumphing over evil despite great odds

The battle between two primal forces

Mankind shows eternal optimism in the continual portrayal of good triumphing over evil despite great odds

Light vs. DarknessLight vs. Darkness

Light usually suggests hope, renewal, or intellectual illumination

Darkness implies the unknown, ignorance, despair, or evil

Light usually suggests hope, renewal, or intellectual illumination

Darkness implies the unknown, ignorance, despair, or evil

Water vs. DesertWater vs. Desert

Necessary to life and growth, water commonly appears as a birth or rebirth symbol

Water is used in baptismal services, which solemnizes spiritual birth

Similarly, the appearance of rain can suggest a character’s spiritual birth

Necessary to life and growth, water commonly appears as a birth or rebirth symbol

Water is used in baptismal services, which solemnizes spiritual birth

Similarly, the appearance of rain can suggest a character’s spiritual birth

Water vs. DesertWater vs. Desert

Desert, in turn, implies the death of a soul and spirituality, or a spiritual test or trial

Desert, in turn, implies the death of a soul and spirituality, or a spiritual test or trial

Heaven vs. HellHeaven vs. Hell

Man has traditionally associated parts of the universe beyond his reach with the dwelling places of the primordial forces that govern his world

The skies and mountaintops house his gods; the bowels of the earth contain the diabolic forces that inhabit the universe

Man has traditionally associated parts of the universe beyond his reach with the dwelling places of the primordial forces that govern his world

The skies and mountaintops house his gods; the bowels of the earth contain the diabolic forces that inhabit the universe

Innate Wisdom vs. Educated StupidityInnate Wisdom vs. Educated Stupidity

Some characters exhibit wisdom and understanding of situations instinctively, as opposed to those who are supposedly in charge.

Loyal retainers often exhibit this wisdom when they accompany the hero on the journey.

Sam in Lord of the Rings

Some characters exhibit wisdom and understanding of situations instinctively, as opposed to those who are supposedly in charge.

Loyal retainers often exhibit this wisdom when they accompany the hero on the journey.

Sam in Lord of the Rings

Haven vs. WildernessHaven vs. Wilderness

Places of safety contrast sharply with the dangerous wilderness

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

Wilderness is often a symbol of evil in early American literature; town is a place of goodness and safety

Places of safety contrast sharply with the dangerous wilderness

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

Wilderness is often a symbol of evil in early American literature; town is a place of goodness and safety

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESThe Hero

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESThe Hero

Circumstances of birth often unusual

Attempt sometimes made to kill him at birth

Spirited away and reared by foster parents

Upon reaching manhood, returns to lost kingdom

Circumstances of birth often unusual

Attempt sometimes made to kill him at birth

Spirited away and reared by foster parents

Upon reaching manhood, returns to lost kingdom

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESThe Hero

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESThe Hero

After a victory over a usurper or evil beast, he reclaims his kingdom, marries a princess, and rules as king

Sometimes later loses favor of the gods and meets a mysterious death

After a victory over a usurper or evil beast, he reclaims his kingdom, marries a princess, and rules as king

Sometimes later loses favor of the gods and meets a mysterious death

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESThe Hero

-- unhealable wound --

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESThe Hero

-- unhealable wound -- Either physical or

psychological and cannot be healed fully

Indicates a loss of innocence Wound always aches and

often drives the hero to desperate measures

Lancelot’s madness; Scar’s envy; Harry Potter’s scar

Either physical or psychological and cannot be healed fully

Indicates a loss of innocence Wound always aches and

often drives the hero to desperate measures

Lancelot’s madness; Scar’s envy; Harry Potter’s scar

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESThe Hero

-- magic weapon --

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESThe Hero

-- magic weapon --

No one else can wield the weapon or use it to its full potential

Demonstrates the extraordinary quality of the hero

Excalibur; Odysseus’ bow

No one else can wield the weapon or use it to its full potential

Demonstrates the extraordinary quality of the hero

Excalibur; Odysseus’ bow

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESMentor

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESMentor

Serves as teacher or counselor to the young hero

Sometimes is a role model and often serves as mother or father figure

Serves as teacher or counselor to the young hero

Sometimes is a role model and often serves as mother or father figure

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESHunting Group of

Companions

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESHunting Group of

Companions

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

Robin Hood and his Merry Men

Knights of the Round Table Timon and Pumba

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

Robin Hood and his Merry Men

Knights of the Round Table Timon and Pumba

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESLoyal Retainer

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESLoyal Retainer

Somewhat like servants who are heroic themselves

Duty is to protect the hero and reflect his/her nobility

Zazu to Simba Alfred to Batman Watson to Sherlock Holmes

Somewhat like servants who are heroic themselves

Duty is to protect the hero and reflect his/her nobility

Zazu to Simba Alfred to Batman Watson to Sherlock Holmes

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESDevil Figure

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESDevil Figure

Evil incarnate, this character offers worldly goods, fame, or knowledge to the hero in exchange for possession of his/her soul.

Voldemort to Harry Potter

Evil incarnate, this character offers worldly goods, fame, or knowledge to the hero in exchange for possession of his/her soul.

Voldemort to Harry Potter

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESEvil Figure with

Ultimate Good Heart

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESEvil Figure with

Ultimate Good Heart

A redeemable devil figure saved by the nobility or love of the hero

Scrooge Darth Vader

A redeemable devil figure saved by the nobility or love of the hero

Scrooge Darth Vader

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESScapegoat

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESScapegoat

An animal or human whose death in a public ceremony expiates some taint or sin that has been visited upon the community

Their death often makes them a more powerful force in the community than when they lived

An animal or human whose death in a public ceremony expiates some taint or sin that has been visited upon the community

Their death often makes them a more powerful force in the community than when they lived

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESWoman Figure

-- earth mother --

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESWoman Figure

-- earth mother --

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

Often depicted in earth colors

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

Often depicted in earth colors

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESWoman Figure-- temptress --

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESWoman Figure-- temptress --

Characterized by her beauty, she is one to whom the hero is physically attracted

Ultimately brings hero’s downfall

Characterized by her beauty, she is one to whom the hero is physically attracted

Ultimately brings hero’s downfall

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESWoman Figure

-- platonic ideal --

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESWoman Figure

-- platonic ideal --

A source of inspiration and spiritual ideal

Hero’s attraction to her is intellectual rather than physical

A source of inspiration and spiritual ideal

Hero’s attraction to her is intellectual rather than physical

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESWoman Figure

-- damsel in distress --

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESWoman Figure

-- damsel in distress --

Vulnerable woman who must be rescued by the hero

Often used as a trap to ensnare the unsuspecting hero

Vulnerable woman who must be rescued by the hero

Often used as a trap to ensnare the unsuspecting hero

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESWoman Figure

-- star-crossed lovers --

CHARACTER ARCHETYPESWoman Figure

-- star-crossed lovers --

These two characters are engaged in a love affair that is doomed to end tragically for one or both of them

Disapproved of by society, family, friends, or some tragic situation

These two characters are engaged in a love affair that is doomed to end tragically for one or both of them

Disapproved of by society, family, friends, or some tragic situation

ARCHITYPAL NUMBERS3

ARCHITYPAL NUMBERS3

TrinityCompleteness

TrinityCompleteness

ARCHITYPAL NUMBERS6

ARCHITYPAL NUMBERS6

ImperfectionAmbivalence Evil

ImperfectionAmbivalence Evil

ARCHITYPAL NUMBERS7

ARCHITYPAL NUMBERS7

Perfection7 colors of rainbow 7 days of the week

Perfection7 colors of rainbow 7 days of the week

ARCHITYPAL COLORSRed

ARCHITYPAL COLORSRed

PassionExcitement Blood Flame Danger

PassionExcitement Blood Flame Danger

ARCHITYPAL COLORSBlack

ARCHITYPAL COLORSBlack

DarknessEvil Sin Mystery Ignorance

DarknessEvil Sin Mystery Ignorance

ARCHITYPAL COLORSWhite

ARCHITYPAL COLORSWhite

PurityEnlightenment Knowledge Truth Light

PurityEnlightenment Knowledge Truth Light

ARCHITYPAL COLORSBlue

ARCHITYPAL COLORSBlue

PeaceReligionPositive

PeaceReligionPositive

ARCHITYPAL COLORSGreen

ARCHITYPAL COLORSGreen

JealousyNew life

JealousyNew life

ARCHITYPAL IMAGESBridge

ARCHITYPAL IMAGESBridge

Passage from one state of being to another

Often present as part of the journey

Passage from one state of being to another

Often present as part of the journey

ARCHITYPAL IMAGESRiver

ARCHITYPAL IMAGESRiver

JourneyTravelMovement and growthFertility

JourneyTravelMovement and growthFertility

ARCHITYPAL IMAGESRain

ARCHITYPAL IMAGESRain

CleansingRenewalRebirthBaptism/new

beginning

CleansingRenewalRebirthBaptism/new

beginning

ARCHITYPAL IMAGESForest

ARCHITYPAL IMAGESForest

DangerousRefuge of evil

(puritanical view)Wild, uncivilized, out

of control

DangerousRefuge of evil

(puritanical view)Wild, uncivilized, out

of control

ARCHITYPAL IMAGESSun

ARCHITYPAL IMAGESSun

MaleLightHopeRising sun = birthSetting sun = death

MaleLightHopeRising sun = birthSetting sun = death

ARCHITYPAL IMAGESMoon

ARCHITYPAL IMAGESMoon

FemaleCycleChangeMystery

FemaleCycleChangeMystery

ARCHITYPAL IMAGESDesert

ARCHITYPAL IMAGESDesert

BarrenLifelessTesting/TrialSelf-purification

BarrenLifelessTesting/TrialSelf-purification

ARCHITYPAL IMAGESTree

ARCHITYPAL IMAGESTree

LifeRenewalSeasonalSelf-perpetuating

LifeRenewalSeasonalSelf-perpetuating