Archetypes&

THE Epic Hero

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× We will be examining Anglo-Saxton literature and literature of the middle ages.

× To have more tools in our arsenal to tackle theseworks, we first need examine some key concepts.

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"The faces and names change, but the people don't."

How does this affect the ways in which our culture defines us and those around us?

How does the media shape our view of the world and of ourselves?

Does this allow our personal archetype to change?

Archetypes× What is an archetype?

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Since all works of literature have a protagonist, it is helpful to know which category or type of character the protagonist belongs in. A protagonist's traits help readers to understand them, connect with them, or follow their actions and understand why they do what they do.Certain protagonists are considered to have universal qualities and these qualities are called archetypes. Archetypes have similar characteristics throughout literature and make unpredictable characters, situations, and symbols easier to understand.

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× Character Archetype

× Situational Archetype

× Symbolic Archetype

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Situational archetypes

a situation that appears in many different stories over time, and has

set characteristics

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• The Quest • The Task • The Journey• The Initiation• The Ritual• The Fall • Death and

Rebirth • The Battle

between Good & Evil

• The UnhealableWound

× the search for someone or something (a talisman) which, when found and brought back, will restore fertility to a wasted land, the desolation of which is mirrored by a leader’s illness and disability.

× Note: “fertility” does not necessarily mean “reproduction” or “fruitfulness.” It can and often does mean prosperity, peace, harmony.

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× To save the kingdom, to win the fair lady, to identify himself so that he may resume his rightful position, the hero must perform some nearly superhuman deed.

This differs from the Quest in that in the Quest, the ultimate goal is to restore fertility; here the goal is to gain something (power, the girl, wealth, etc.)

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The journey sends the hero in search for some truth or information necessary to restore fertility to the kingdom. a. The hero descends into a real or psychological hellb. He is forced to discover or face the blackest truths about himself (usually).c. He accepts responsibility for his faults and acknowledges his mistakes.d. He returns to the world of the living.

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This usually takes the form of an initiation into adult life. The adolescent comes into his or her own maturity with new awareness and problems along with new hope for the community. This awakening is often the climax of the story.

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The actual ceremonies the Initiate experiences that will mark his rite of passage into another state. A clear sign of the character's role in his society

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This archetype describes a descent from a higher state of being to a lower state of being. The experience involves a defilement and/or a loss of innocence and bliss. The fall is often accompanied by an expulsion from a kind of paradise as penalty for disobedience and moral transgression.

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This is the most common of all situational archetypes. It is the parallel between the cycle of nature and the cycle of life. Thus, morning and springtime represent birth, youth, or rebirth; evening and winter suggest old age or death.

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Obviously, the battle between two primal forces. Mankind shows eternal optimism in the continual portrayal of good triumphing over evil despite great odds.

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With an Unhealable Wound comes feelings of brokenness, mortality, and an inability to let go of the past. The victim may have a physical wound that creates these feelings that has scarred over, or just a mental barrier.

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Symbolicarchetypes

An object, location, or image in a story that contains more than one functional meaning

(physical meaning in the story and thematic meaning for the reader to

interpret.

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• Light vs. Darkness

• Magic Weapon

• Underworld• Castle• Significance

of Color,numbers, and seasons

The dichotomy between light and darkness shows contrast. Usually, light means purity, truth, hope, or holiness. Darkness and shadows, to the contrary, represents guilt, deceit, despair, and being cursed or damned.

Humans tend to fear the dark and all the unknowns within it. But when light is thrown upon that darkness, revealing all to see, healing can occur and hope is restored. To see this in effect, simply turn on the bedroom lights for a child who thinks there’s a monster in his closet.

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is licensed under CC BY-SA

Sometimes our protagonist needs extra support or he/she displays heroism through mastery of some kind of weapon.

× Since it is ultimately the hero’s heart, not his weapons, that make him a hero, there is almost always a scene where the hero’s weapon is lost, damaged, or stolen, rendering the hero vulnerable for a period of time. It is in this time of testing that his true nature is revealed and he becomes “worthy,” at least in the narrative, of wielding the weapon once more.

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× the hero must descend into the depths of a cave or underwater cavern to slay a beast. In medieval tales, it evolved into dungeons, tunnels, crypts, and more.

× But the reason why your story needs a symbolic Underground is because as humans, we know what “going underground” really means: Dying. As is spoken at many a funeral, “From dust you came, and to dust you shall return.” In our guts, we know that the Underground or Underworld is a place of death, darkness, and evil.

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Humans connect castles and fortresses with power. There is something overwhelming about a massive structure of reinforced stone, wood, and steel. Even visiting a crumbling castle from the ancient past, one can easily imagine its ramparts manned by innumerable soldiers and archers ready to repel any attack.

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Numerical symbology is heavily dependent on cultural context. In Judeo-Christian societies, the numbers three, seven, and twelve is connected to the Trinity, the holiness of the number seven, and the twelve disciplines and months of the year.

human beings who live in any latitude with seasons have gut-level feelings that associate seasons with nonphysical realities of life. Spring-birth, Summer- youthautumn- slow decayWinter- death

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Physical colors bear nonphysical meanings in various cultures. Red is often associated with love and passion; however, it is also associated with violence, blood, anddeath.

Character archetypes

a character that appears in many different stories over time, and has

set characteristics

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• The Hero• Initiates• Mentors• Father-son

conflict• Loyal

retainers• Devil figure• Creature of

nightmares• Temptress

× The Hero archetype represents the process of overcoming obstacles to achieve specific goals.

× In myths, the hero’s objective is often to find a treasure like a golden egg, save a princess, and return with the elixir of life.

× All of these are metaphors for a psychological journey to return to one’s true feelings and unique potential—what Carl Jung called the process of individuation.

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The hero’s main feat is to overcome the monster of

darkness: it is the long-hoped-for and expected

triumph of consciousness over the unconscious.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under

CC BY-SA

× These are young heroes or heroines who, prior to their quest, must endure some training and ceremony. They are usually innocent and often wear white.

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× These individuals serve as teachers or counselors to the initiates. Sometimes they work as role models and often serve as father or mother figure.

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× Tension often results from separation during childhood or from an external source when the individuals meet as men and where the mentor often has a higher place in the affections of the hero than the natural parent

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These individuals are like the noble sidekicks to the hero. Their duty is to protect the hero. Often the retainer reflects the hero's nobility.

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This is an evil incarnate who offers worldly goods, fame or knowledge. He or she will tempt, cheat, steal, lie and destroy anything they come in contact with. This figure has no good intentions. The devil figure generally has opposite views and intentions from the hero.

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Always represented as a demented or creepy monster-like version of the human form itself. It is a villain whose sole purpose is to threaten the lives of the hero/heroine. The Creature of Nightmare is a monstrosity that come from the darkest parts of the human mind.

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Defined as an unethical woman of immense provocative charm and wit, who utilizes men and leads them into treacherous situations. Temptresses include: sirens, femme fatales, and seductresses. ... The word siren actually means "noise maker".

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Let’s Review!

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CC BY-SA

× horcruxes

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× horcruxes

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There are many more archetypes, and many people have attempted to classify

them into different sets. We are look at a sample few

that will be most helpful in the upcoming year.

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As there are different types of character archetypes, there are also different types of hero archetypes:

43EverymanClassical Super Tragic Epic Anti

EPICIt was the Greeks who first defined the protagonist known as an epic hero. These heroes of a tragedy must evoke in the audience a sense of heroism through legendary, awe-inspiring lore. An epic hero must be a man whose fortune is brought about by his own admired characteristics.

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The Seven Principal Characteristics of

an Epic Hero

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Noble Birth

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Usually a king, prince, demi-god,

or nobleman of some capacity.

Superhuman capabilities

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The warrior has the potential for greatness based on their

attributes, e.g. cunning, bravery, humility, wisdom,

virtue.

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under CC BY

Vast Traveler

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An epic hero is known for making travels to

exotic locations by choice or chance, usually to battle

against evil.

Unmatched Warrior

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This hero typically has a reputation for being a great warrior, even

prior to the beginning of the

story.

This Photo by Unknown Author is

licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

Cultural Legend

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Before an Epic Hero can be universally known,

he must first be a legend in his culture.

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Humility

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The Hero performs great deeds for their own sake rather than glory. Heroes that

boast, or exhibit hubris may be punished and humbled

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC

BY-SA-NC

Battles Supernatural foes

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The opponents and obstacles the hero faces are usually supernatural

beings,

This Photo by Unknown Author is

licensed under CC BY-SA

Activity:

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Now that you know all about

archetypes and epic heros, now

it’s your turn!

× Choose any ONE Disney movie (Star Wars, Studio Ghibli, Marvel, etc. included)

× Find as least 12 archetypes in the film.× Explain why each archetype exists (how it plays a role in

the story, how the character/situation/symbol fits).× You may choose to add archetypes that were not listed in

this ppt. If you do, be sure to provide a definition of any newarchetypes so I can ensure your understanding.

× Label paper as: “Disney Archetypes”

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https://thewritepractice.com/symbolic-archetypes/

https://www.storyboardthat.com/articles/e/epic-hero

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