FAIRY TALE ARCHETYPES
This archetype usually goes on a journey or quest.
Who is the Hero
A repeated number often found in fairy tales (wishes, trials, siblings).
What is the number three?
A girl loses her shoe at a royal ball.
What is Cinderella?
Traditional fairy tales usually have a clear good vs. evil structure. t/f
What is true?
This theme suggests kindness will be rewarded.
What is kindness or goodness?
Making fun of something by copying it humorously is called this.
What is parody?
This character often provides guidance, magic, or advice to the hero.
Who is the Mentor or Helper?
This motif involves a character changing form or identity.
What is transformation?
A young girl ignores warnings and meets a wolf in the woods.
What is Little Red Riding Hood?
This modern fairy tale movie turns an ogre into the hero.
What is Shrek?
“Don’t talk to strangers” is the moral of this fairy tale.
What is Little Red Riding Hood?
When a fairy tale flips expectations (ogre as hero), it uses this technique.
What is inversion?
This archetype creates obstacles and represents fear, danger, or evil.
Who is the Villain or Shadow
Entering this place usually represents danger or growing up.
What is the forest or woods?
Two siblings outsmart a witch using breadcrumbs and clever thinking.
What is Hansel and Gretel?
Angela Carter’s “The Company of Wolves” changes this character’s role.
Who is Little Red Riding Hood?
This theme appears when characters must grow up or face responsibility.
What is coming of age?
Exaggerating fairy tale tropes for humor is an example of this.
What is satire?
This archetype often uses cleverness, lies, or humor to get what they want.
Who is the Trickster?
Glass slippers, poisoned apples, and magic mirrors are examples of this motif.
What are magical objects?
A poor boy climbs a plant that reaches the sky.
What is Jack and the Beanstalk?
Modern fairy tales often challenge this traditional expectation of female characters.
What is passivity or obedience?
Many fairy tales warn against this human flaw.
What is greed?
This character mocks fairy-tale villains by saying “Inconceivable!”
Who is Vizzini (The Princess Bride)?
In modern fairy tales, this archetype is often subverted so they rescue themselves.
Who is the Damsel or Princess?
This motif often symbolizes the transition from childhood to adulthood.
What is the journey or quest?
A cursed prince must learn to love before time runs out.
What is Beauty and the Beast?
This movie presents itself as a classic fairy tale but constantly breaks the rules or exaggerates them for humour.
What is The Princess Bride?
Modern fairy tales often replace simple morals with this.
What is complexity or ambiguity?
This modern fairy tale both honours and mocks traditional storytelling.
What is The Princess Bride?