Archetypes in Literature.pdf

8/14/2019 Archetypes in Literature.pdf

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What is an archetypeWhat is an archetype??

ArchetypeArchetypea recurrent image, symbol,a recurrent image, symbol,

character or even situation that is an instinctualcharacter or even situation that is an instinctualexpression of mans nature and experiences thatexpression of mans nature and experiences that

are universal in nature.are universal in nature.


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Objects as Archetypal ImagesObjects as Archetypal Images


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waterwater birth, death, resurrection, purification, redemption,birth, death, resurrection, purification, redemption,

fertility, growthfertility, growth

the seathe seamother of all life, the unconscious, timelessnessmother of all life, the unconscious, timelessness riversriversbaptism, flowing of time, phases of life cyclebaptism, flowing of time, phases of life cycle


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sunsun creative energy, father figure, passage of time and lifecreative energy, father figure, passage of time and life

rising sunrising sunbirth, creation, enlightenment, associated with thebirth, creation, enlightenment, associated with the

easteast

setting sunsetting sundeath, destruction, associated with the westdeath, destruction, associated with the west


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circlecircle wholeness, unity, onenesswholeness, unity, oneness


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gardengarden paradise, innocence, unspoiled feminine beauty, fertilityparadise, innocence, unspoiled feminine beauty, fertility


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road or trainroad or train journey through lifejourney through life


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desertdesert lack of spirituality, death, hopelessnesslack of spirituality, death, hopelessness


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numbersnumbers threethreeholy trinity, spiritual awareness, lightholy trinity, spiritual awareness, light

fourfourlife cycle, four seasons, the four elements (earth,life cycle, four seasons, the four elements (earth,

air, fire, water)air, fire, water)

sevensevenmost potent of all symbolic numbers because itmost potent of all symbolic numbers because it

signifies the union of 3 and 4, represents perfect ordersignifies the union of 3 and 4, represents perfect order


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Characters as archetypalCharacters as archetypal

imagesimages


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scapegoatscapegoat the hero with whom the welfare of the people of thethe hero with whom the welfare of the people of the

nation, kingdom, or tribe is identified and who mustnation, kingdom, or tribe is identified and who mustdie to atone for the peoples sins in order to return thedie to atone for the peoples sins in order to return the

land to fruitfulnessland to fruitfulness

examplesexamples --Jesus ChristJesus Christ


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outcastoutcast a figure who is banished from a social group for somea figure who is banished from a social group for some

crime against his fellow mancrime against his fellow man he/she is usually destined to become a wandererhe/she is usually destined to become a wanderer

examplesexamples -- Cain,Cain, UnferthUnferth


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Earth motherEarth mother symbolic of fruition and abundance as well assymbolic of fruition and abundance as well as

fertilityfertility exampleexample -- Mother NatureMother Nature


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wise old manwise old man represents knowledge,represents knowledge,

wisdom, spirituality ofwisdom, spirituality ofsoul, insightsoul, insight

examplesexamples -- Ben Kenobi,Ben Kenobi,

Yoda, MerlinYoda, Merlin


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Situations as archetypalSituations as archetypal

imagesimages


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questquest the search for someone or some talisman which,the search for someone or some talisman which,

when found and brought back, will restorewhen found and brought back, will restorefertility to a wasted landfertility to a wasted land

the desolate state of that land is mirrored by athe desolate state of that land is mirrored by a

leaders illness and disabilityleaders illness and disability

examplesexamples -- search for the Holy Grail, Ahabssearch for the Holy Grail, Ahabs

quest for the albino whalequest for the albino whale


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tasktask to save the kingdom, to win the fair lady, or toto save the kingdom, to win the fair lady, or to

assume his rightful position, the hero mustassume his rightful position, the hero mustperform some superhuman deedperform some superhuman deed

examplesexamples -- Beowulf must slayBeowulf must slay GrendelGrendel, Arthur, Arthur

pulling the sword from the stonepulling the sword from the stone


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fallfall describes a descent, usually of a hero, from adescribes a descent, usually of a hero, from a

higher to a lower state of beinghigher to a lower state of being usually involves spiritual defilement and/or lossusually involves spiritual defilement and/or loss

of innocenceof innocence

also involves an expulsion from some kind ofalso involves an expulsion from some kind of

paradiseparadise

examplesexamples -- King Arthur, Adam and EveKing Arthur, Adam and Eve


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night journeynight journey descent into earth followed by a return to lightdescent into earth followed by a return to light

usually, knowledge has been gained through theusually, knowledge has been gained through theexperienceexperience


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What movie today played with these archetypes,What movie today played with these archetypes,almost inverting them for the sake of humor?almost inverting them for the sake of humor?

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Archetypes in Literature.pdf