Character Archetypes

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Character Archetypes

• A brief overview of the basics of archetypes in
  literature.
• Ms. Mitchells Class

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So, what is an archetype?

• From an unknown origin, but are preset at the
  moment of birth in everyone.
• They are the symbolic forms in the worlds myths,
  religions, art, literature and dreams.
• Archetypes are present in every culture every
  historical time period.

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Characteristics of archetypes

• Shared with all of humanity
• Connects us to past and future
• Express themselves in various forms
• Grow out of peoples social, psychological and
  biological beings
• Universal keep common traits
• Cannot be explained by interactions among
  cultures
• Recurrent, happen over all generations cultures

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Its a bird! Its a plane! Its anarchetype!
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The Hero

• Heromale
• Heroine female
• This archetype embodies key traits valued by its
  originating culture.
• Generally superhuman
• Able to perform extraordinary deeds for others

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The Young Person from the Provinces

• Hero/heroine is taken away as a young person
• Raised by strangers
• Later returns home where he/she is a stranger who
  can see new problems and solutions.

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The Initiates

• Young hero/heroine who, prior to their quest,
  goes through training and ceremony
• Usually innocent and often wear white

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The Tragic Hero

• An honorable protagonist with a tragic flaw (aka
  fatal flaw)
• This flaw leads to his or her demise
• The death of the tragic hero saves others in the
  story.

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The Anti Hero

• A character that has some characteristic that are
  anti-ethical
• Performs heroic acts that are not done in
  heroic ways.

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Onto the ladiesFemale Archetypes
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Mother Goddess

• Ideas of nourishment and creation
• Worshipped as a source of life
• Has the ability to give new birth to objects that
  seem dead

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The Temptress

• Sensual beauty
• Protagonist is physically attracted to her
• She ultimately brings about his downfall

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The Platonic Ideal

• Source of inspiration spiritual ideal
• Protagonist has intellectual rather than physical
  attraction toward her

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The Unfaithful Wife/Friend

• Married to a man she sees as dull
• Attracted to a more desirable man

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Damsel in Distress

• Vulnerable woman
• Must be rescued by the hero
• Often used to ensnare the hero

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In GeneralCharacter Archetypes
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The Trickster

• A wise-fool, rascal who looks out for himself
• Inventive agent whose actions can benefit human
  society
• Symbolizes humans excess outrageousness

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Mentors

• Serve as teachers or counselors to the initiates
• Sometimes role models and parental figure

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Group of Companions

• Loyal companions willing to face any perils in
  order to be together

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Loyal Retainers

• Protect the hero/heroine
• Reflect the nobility of the hero/heroine
• Somewhat like servants
• Heroic themselves

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The Friendly Beast

• Animal that befriends man

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Evil Figure with Good Heart

• Redeemable devil figure
• Saved by nobility (or love) of the hero/heroine

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The Outcast

• Banished from social group for some crime against
  fellow people
• Destined to become a wanderer

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The Devil Figure

• Evil incarnate
• Offers worldly goods (fame/knowledge) in exchange
  for their soul

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The Scapegoat

• Public punishment and/or death gets rid of a sin
  that has been visited upon a community

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The Creature of the Nightmare

• Monster
• Usually summoned from the deepest, darkest part
  of human psyche to threaten the hero/heroine.

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Lets Review
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Which archetype does this character display?
Trickster
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Which archetype does this character display?
Mother Goddess
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Which archetype does this character display?
Tragic Hero
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Which archetype does this character display?
Creature of the Nightmare
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Which archetype does this character display?
The Platonic Ideal
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Which archetype does this character display?
Hero
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Which archetype does this character display?
The Temptress
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Which archetype does this character display?
The Scapegoat
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Which archetype does this character display?
Anti Hero
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Good Job My Genius Students!!!
Anti Hero