Archetypes! 1
Man is good but technology is bad
Nature vs. the machines
a monster usually summoned from the deepest, darkest part of the human psyche to threaten the lives of the hero/heroine
Creature of Nightmare
A Truly evil figure
The devil
A wound (physical or psychological) that can never fully heal
Unhealable Wound
this situation involves tension that results from separation during childhood or from an outside source if the individuals meet as men
Father-son conflict
this situation pits forces that are obviously good against those that are obviously evil
The battle between good and evil
– some characters exhibit wisdom and understanding intuitively (without being taught) as opposed to those who are “educated” and in charge
Innate Wisdom vs Educated Stupidity
•this character traditionally offers spiritual and emotional nourishment to those with whom she comes in contact
Earth Mother
– the almost superhuman feat(s) that must be accomplished in order to reach the goal
The Task
– a woman who is a source of inspiration to the hero, who has an intellectual rather than physical attration to her
Platonic Ideal
Vulnerable woman who needs to be rescued by the hero
Damsel in Distress
usually the protagonist whose life is a series of adventures
The Hero
•the hero is sent in search of information needed to restore fertility, justice, and/or harmony to the land.
•It includes trials and problems along the way, usually including a visit to hell or an underworldly region
The Journey
•An organized ceremony that involves members of the community and the initiate (hero)
•This situation officially brings the young person into the adult world
The Ritual
Someone who does not fit in. Banished from the social group.
The Outcast
•A moment (either physical or psychological) where an individual comes into maturity
•The hero gains awareness of his responsibilities and place in the world
•The hero also receives a calling that he/she may deny before accepting their responsibilities
The Initiation
An animal companion
Friendly beast
•young heroes or heroines who must go through some training and ceremony before undertaking their quest
The Initiates
•an older, wiser teacher to the initiate
The Mentor
•the hero returns to his home and heritage as a stranger
Young man from the provinces
– those who are loyal to the hero and willing to face hardship and ordeal in order to stay together
Group of Companions
•A decent in action from a higher to a lower state of being
•Usually involves defilement, moral imperfection, and/or loss of innocence
The Fall
•– a worthy opponent who the hero must struggle against in a fight to the end
•It must be destroyed or neutralized
•Psychologically can represent the darker side of the hero’s psyche
The Shadow
describes the search of someone or something (a talisman or sacred object) that will restore happiness and peace to the land
The Quest
this is the most common situational archetype
When something dies, but is accompanied with rebirth.
Death and rebirth