Literary Archetypes

1. Literary Archetypes

2. What is an archetype? • An archetype is a term used to describe universal symbols that evoke deep and sometimes unconscious responses in a reader • In literature, characters, images, and themes that symbolically embody universal meanings and basic human experiences, regardless of when or where they live, are considered archetypes.

3. Common Character Archetypes • The Hero: The courageous figure, the one who’s always running in and saving the day. • The Outcast: The outcast is just that. He or she has been cast out of a society or has left it on a voluntary basis. The outcast figure can oftentimes be considered as a savior figure, or someone who stands alone to do the right thing. (i.e. Simon in The Lord of the Flies) • The Scapegoat: The scapegoat figure is one who gets blamed for everything, regardless of whether he/she is actually at fault. (i.e. Snowball in Animal Farm) • The Star-Crossed Lovers: This is a young couple who seem “meant to be together,” though they can’t because of fate/circumstances. (i.e. Romeo and Juliet)

4. Common Character Archetypes • The Mother: A nurturing, guiding force. A “life-giver,” where life may be literal, or referencing some sort of knowledge, opportunity, or power. • The temptress: A woman figure who brings about the hero’s downfall because of his attraction to her. • The villain/embodiment of evil: The figure who is apt on getting in the hero’s way for malevolent purposes. • The trickster: The character who uses cunning to either get their way or to mix-up other characters. Often more mischievous than evil. • The sage/mentor: The wise, old character who teaches the hero.

5. Situational Archetypes • THE TASK—A situation in which a character, or group of characters, is driven to complete some duty often of monstrous proportion. (i.e. Frodo’s task to keep the ring safe in The Lord of the Rings) • THE QUEST—Here, the character(s) are searching for something, whether consciously or unconsciously. Their actions, thoughts, and feelings center around the goal of completing the quest. (i.e. Shrek ) • THE LOSS OF INNOCENCE—This is, as the name implies, a loss of innocence through sexual experience, violence, or any other means. • THE INITIATION—This is the process by which a character is brought into another sphere of influence, usually (in literature) into adulthood.

6. Situational Archetypes • THE JOURNEY—the hero goes in search of some truth or information to restore life to the kingdom; he must descend into a real or psychological hell and is forced to discover the blackest truths about himself (usually his faults); he must then decide to return to the world of the living; this could also appear as a group of isolated people (trapped on a boat, bus, island) to represent society • THE UNHEALABLE WOUND—a wound that is either physical or psychological; it cannot be healed fully; indicates a loss of innocence; always aches and may drive the sufferer to desperate measures • THE RITUAL—actual ceremony that marks a new stage (rite of passage) in life (weddings, funerals, coronations)

7. Situational Archetypes • THE FALL—descent from a higher to a lower state of being; characters experience a loss of innocence and often experience an expulsion from a kind of paradise as a penalty for their disobedience and moral transgression • DEATH AND REBIRTH—deals with the similarities between the cycle of nature and life; morning and springtime represent birth, youth, or rebirth; evening and winter suggest old age or death • BATTLE BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL—good triumphs over evil despite great odds, keeping mankind hopeful (optimism)

8. Symbolic Archetypes • THE CROSSROADS—A place or time of decision when a realization is made and change or penance results • THE MAZE—A puzzling dilemma or great uncertainty, search for the dangerous monster inside of oneself, or a journey into the heart of darkness. • THE CASTLE—A strong place of safety which holds treasure or princess, may be enchanted or bewitched. • THE TOWER—A strong place of evil; represents the isolation of self

9. Symbolic Archetypes • NATURE vs. MECHANISTIC WORLD—nature is good while technology and society are often evil • HAVEN VS. WILDERNESS—for the hero, places of safety are required for time to regain health and resources; these hideouts are often in unusual places • INNATE WISDOM VS EDUCATED STUPIDITY—uneducated characters can often be wise using their common sense while some very educated characters have no common sense

10. Common Image Archetypes • Certain images that recur in myths and other genres of literature often have a common meaning or tend to elicit comparable psychological responses and to serve similar cultural functions.

11. Water • a symbol of life, cleansing, and rebirth—represents the mystery of creation Examples: Sea—spiritual mystery and infinity; timelessness and eternity River—death / rebirth (baptism), flowing of time into eternity, transitional phases of the life cycle

12. Sun • Represents energy, creativity, thinking, enlightenment, wisdom, spiritual vision, the passing of time, and life Examples: Rising Sun—Birth and Creation Setting Sun—Death

13. Fire vs. Ice • Fire can represent knowledge, light, life, and rebirth • Ice can represent ignorance, darkness, sterility, and death

14. Light vs. Darkness • Light suggests hope, renewal, or intellectual illumination • Darkness suggests the unknown, ignorance, or despair.

15. Colors • Red—love, sacrifice, hate, evil, anger, violent passion, sin, blood, disorder • Green—birth / death, fertility, luck, hope, jealousy, decay, greed • Blue—sadness, spiritual purity, truth, religious feelings of security • Black—power, doom, death, darkness, mystery, primal wisdom, unconscious evil • White—purity, innocence, death, terror, supernatural, blinding truth

16. Animals • Snake (serpent, worm)—evil, corruption, sensuality, destruction, wisdom, temptation • Dark-colored bird (raven, hawk)—death, hate, corruption • Light-colored bird (dove)—peace, love, life

17. Numbers • Three (3)—represents unity, spiritual awareness, and light • Four (4)—cycle of life, (earth, water, fire, air) nature • Seven (7)—unity between 3 and 4, completion and perfect order