Archetypes

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Archetypes
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• From the Greek word arkhetupos.
• Arkhe Primitive
• Tupos a model
• An archetype is an original model or pattern from
  which later copies are made.

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• THE HEROS JOURNEY

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THE CALL TO ADVENTURE

• The future hero is first given notice that his or
  her life is going to change.
• Ex. Nemo is caught by the men in the boat and
  Marlin has to get him back.

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REFUSAL OF THE CALL

• The future hero often refuses to accept the Call
  to Adventure.
• Refusal may stem from
• A sense of duty
• An obligation
• A fear
• An insecurity
• EX. Marlin fears the open sea, but he has to go
  because of Nemo.

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BEGINNING OF THE ADVENTURE

• Point where the hero actually begins the
  adventure.
• Hero leaves the known limits of his/her world
• Hero ventures into an unknown/dangerous realm.
• Ex. Marlin swims out into the ocean and meets
  Dory, the Trickster Mentor who will help him on
  his journey.

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ROAD OF TRIALS

• Series of tests or challenges that hero must go
  through.
• Hero will usually fail one or more these trials.
• Ex. Dory and Marlin face many trials
• Meeting and escaping the sharks Fish are
  friends.. not food
• Dory Her short term memory loss
• The Jelly Fish Marlin learns to trust Dory even
  though she not always together mentally
• Whale Marlin has to learn to just let go.

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EXPERIENCE WITH UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

• During the Road of Trials, the hero experiences
  unconditional love from
• A friend
• A mentor
• A family member
• This love usually drives the hero to continue
  their journey when they doubt themselves.
• Ex. Dory never leaves Marlin no matter how rude
  he is to her. She stays by his side and
  continues to help him.

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THE ULTIMATE BOON

• The goal of the quest is achieved!
• Ex. Dory meets Nemo, remembers the adventure, and
  helps him find his dad.

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REFUSAL OF THE RETURN

• When the goal of the adventure has been
  accomplished, the hero may refuse to return with
  the boon or gift.
• Sometimes the hero prefers to stay in a better
  place rather than return to a normal life of pain
  and trouble.
• Ex. When Dory and the other fish are captured in
  the net, Marlin does not want to let Nemo help
  for fear of losing him again.

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THE MAGIC FLIGHT

• The hero experiences adventure and perhaps danger
  as he or she returns to life as it was before the
  adventure.
• Ex. Marlin must face a great fear as he realizes
  that Nemo may not have survived after the net
  broke and Dory and the other fish escaped.

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RESCUE FROM WITHOUT

• These guides/rescuers bring him/her back to
  everyday life, especially if the hero has been
  weakened by the experience.
• Ex. Not Any

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THE CROSSING/RETURN THRESHOLD

• THE FINAL POINT IN THE ADVENTURE!
• The hero must retain the wisdom gained on the
  quest.
• The hero will integrate that wisdom into his/her
  previous life.
• Perhaps decide how to share the wisdom with the
  rest of the world.
• Ex. Marlin learns to let his son explore and to
  trust Nemo and himself.

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• CHARACTER ARCHETYPES

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Common Hero Patterns

• The hero is born under unusual circumstances.
• The son (daughter) of a great king or deity.
• Marked for greatness by prophecy or physical
  trait.
• While young is exiled or placed in harms way in
  an attempt to kill or hinder him (her).
• Must prove royal claim by test or trial.
• Accomplishes great deeds for his people.
• Often a mysterious or ambiguous death.
• A suggestion or promise that the hero will
  someday return to reward or rescue.

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• Primitive Hero Usually a slayer of monsters
• Beowulf
• Conan
• Ripley from Alien

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• Warrior Hero
• Fights for personal glory and/or a dying or
  doomed culture or cause
• Has no fear of death (usually)
• Seeks to create or revive a society
• (Ex. Achilles, Rambo, Hercules, Odysseus)

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• Metaphysical Hero
• On a quest for enlightenment or very spiritual
  journey.
• The conquest is against himself as he conquers
  selfish urges and undergoes great temptation.
• (Buddah)

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Character Archetypes

• Helpers
• The heros sidekick
• usually has his own abilities but somehow lacks
  the necessary traits of being a hero himself.
• Ex. Sam for Frodo in Lord of the Rings

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Character Archetypes

• Mentor Wise Old Man gives the hero wisdom
  and often has trained or helped the hero develop
  his abilities. (Gandalf, Dumbledore)

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Character Archetypes

• Femme Fatale Deadly Lady a temptress who
  seeks to destroy the Hero or keep him from
  completing his mission (often times is truly
  attracted to the hero and vice versa). (Cat
  woman)

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Character Archetypes

• Good (or Earth) Mother opposite of the Femme
  Fatale she possesses all the positive aspects
  of life (protection, warmth, nurturing).
• Ex. Glinda The Good Witch from Wizard of Oz

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Character Archetypes

• 6. Father Figure Represents all that the hero
  is trying to attain or find in his search or
  possesses or is involved in a secret that can
  change the heros destiny.
• Ex. Mufasa from The Lion King

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Character Archetypes

• 7. Trickster - many times a helper to the hero
  (does things w/out meaning to)
• Although he/she may often cause problems, he/she
  does not want to hurt the hero.
• The Trickster may be an adversary despite the
  fact that an enemy trickster can border on
  maliciousness.
• Ex.
• Fred and George Weasley in Harry Potter
  Gollum is an enemy trickster

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Character Archetypes

• 8. Nemesis The Heros sworn enemy
• Perfect adversary for the Hero
• Usually evenly matched in ability yet opposite
  in temperament or values.
• EX. Voldemort

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