Archetypes

What is a hero?

What is an Archetype?

K W L (What do you KNOW?) (What do you WANT to know?) (What did you

LEARN?)

Definition of archetype: Definition of archetype:

the original pattern or model from which all things of the the original pattern or model from which all things of the same kind are copied or on which they are based; a same kind are copied or on which they are based; a model or first form; prototype. model or first form; prototype.

Example: Example: FrankensteinFrankenstein , , DraculaDracula are both archetypes are both archetypes that have influenced subsequent horror stories – i.e. that have influenced subsequent horror stories – i.e. Freddy KruegerFreddy Krueger

"archetype." "archetype." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 23 Aug. 2008. <Dictionary.com . Random House, Inc. 23 Aug. 2008. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/archetype>.>.

3 Different Practical Archetypes3 Different Practical Archetypes

1.1. Situation Archetype Situation Archetype

2.2. Character Archetype Character Archetype

3.3. Symbolic ArchetypeSymbolic Archetype

Situation ArchetypesSituation Archetypes

The Quest The Quest The JourneyThe Journey The Task The Task The Initiation The Initiation The Fall The Fall Death and Rebirth Death and Rebirth The Battle between Good & EvilThe Battle between Good & Evil

The QuestThe Quest

the search for someone or the search for someone or something (a talisman) which, something (a talisman) which, when found and brought back, will when found and brought back, will restore fertility to a wasted land, restore fertility to a wasted land, the desolation of which is mirrored the desolation of which is mirrored by a leader’s illness and disability.by a leader’s illness and disability.

NoteNote:  “fertility” does not necessarily :  “fertility” does not necessarily mean “reproduction” or “fruitfulness.” It mean “reproduction” or “fruitfulness.” It can and often does mean prosperity, can and often does mean prosperity, peace, harmony.peace, harmony.

Examples: Examples: The Lion King, Excalibur, Monty Python The Lion King, Excalibur, Monty Python

and the Quest for the Holy Grail.and the Quest for the Holy Grail.

http://raresoundtracks.iespana.es/images/thelionking.jpg

The JourneyThe Journey

  The journey sends the hero in search for The journey sends the hero in search for some truth or information necessary to some truth or information necessary to restore fertility to the kingdom.  restore fertility to the kingdom.  a.      a.      The hero descends into a real or The hero descends into a real or psychological torment.psychological torment.b.      b.      He is forced to discover or face He is forced to discover or face the blackest truths about himself the blackest truths about himself (usually).(usually).c.      c.      He accepts responsibility for his He accepts responsibility for his faults and acknowledges his mistakes.faults and acknowledges his mistakes.d.      d.      He returns to the world of the He returns to the world of the living.living.

Example:Example:The Odyssey, The Canterbury Tales, The The Odyssey, The Canterbury Tales, The

Aeneid, The Fellowship of the Rings, Aeneid, The Fellowship of the Rings, The Lord of the FliesThe Lord of the Flies

http://www.the-reel-mccoy.com/movies/2001/images/FellowshipOfTheRing_poster.jpg

The TaskThe Task

To save the kingdom, to win the fair To save the kingdom, to win the fair lady, to identify himself so that he may lady, to identify himself so that he may resume his rightful position, the hero resume his rightful position, the hero must perform some nearly must perform some nearly superhuman deed.superhuman deed.

    This differs from the Quest in that in This differs from the Quest in that in

the Quest, the ultimate goal is to the Quest, the ultimate goal is to restore fertilityrestore fertility; ; here the goal is to here the goal is to gain something (power, the girl, gain something (power, the girl, wealth, etc.)wealth, etc.)

Examples:Examples:

Hercules, The Sword and the Stone, The Hercules, The Sword and the Stone, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, BeowulfLord of the Rings Trilogy, Beowulf..

http://www.virginmedia.com/microsites/movies/slideshow/top-ten-movie-wizards/img_6.jpg

The InitiationThe Initiation

This usually takes the form of an This usually takes the form of an initiation into adult life.  The initiation into adult life.  The adolescent comes into his or adolescent comes into his or her own maturity with new her own maturity with new awareness and problems along awareness and problems along with new hope for the with new hope for the community.  This awakening is community.  This awakening is often the climax of the story.  It often the climax of the story.  It

does parallel the Ritualdoes parallel the Ritual..

Examples:Examples:Huckleberry Finn, The Lion King, Huckleberry Finn, The Lion King, King King

Arthur, the Hobbits.  The Arthur, the Hobbits.  The Harry Harry PotterPotter series. series.

http://www.southshields-sanddancers.co.uk/photos_posters/harry_potter_calendar_photo.jpg

The FallThe Fall

This archetype describes a descent This archetype describes a descent from a higher state of being to a from a higher state of being to a lower state of being.  The lower state of being.  The experience involves a defilement experience involves a defilement and/or a loss of innocence and and/or a loss of innocence and bliss.  The fall is often bliss.  The fall is often accompanied by an expulsion accompanied by an expulsion from a kind of paradise as penalty from a kind of paradise as penalty for disobedience and moral for disobedience and moral

transgression.transgression.    

Examples:Examples:

Adam and Eve, Lancelot and Guinevere, Adam and Eve, Lancelot and Guinevere, Milton’s Milton’s Paradise LostParadise Lost, many , many detective/cops stories.detective/cops stories.

http://www.nashvillescholars.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/arthur

Death & RebirthDeath & Rebirth

This is the most common of all situational archetypes.  It is the parallel This is the most common of all situational archetypes.  It is the parallel between the cycle of nature and the cycle of life.  Thus, morning and between the cycle of nature and the cycle of life.  Thus, morning and springtime represent birth, youth, or rebirth; evening and winter suggest springtime represent birth, youth, or rebirth; evening and winter suggest old age or death.old age or death.

http://morris-photographics.com/photos/TheFourSeasons.jpg

The Battle Between Good & EvilThe Battle Between Good & Evil

Obviously, the battle between two Obviously, the battle between two primal forces.  Mankind shows primal forces.  Mankind shows eternal optimism in the continual eternal optimism in the continual portrayal of good triumphing over portrayal of good triumphing over evil despite great odds.evil despite great odds.

Examples:Examples:The forces of Sauron and those of Middle The forces of Sauron and those of Middle

Earth in Earth in The Lord of the RingsThe Lord of the Rings, Satan , Satan vs. God in  Milton’s vs. God in  Milton’s Paradise LostParadise Lost, any , any

western movie or novel, most western movie or novel, most cartoons, The book of Revelation.cartoons, The book of Revelation.

http://rangersin08.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/sauron1.jpg http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51BD7HCN0TL.jpg

Character ArchetypeCharacter Archetype

The HeroThe Hero The InitiatesThe Initiates MentorsMentors Father-Son ConflictFather-Son Conflict

Loyal RetainersLoyal Retainers Devil FigureDevil Figure Creature of NightmaresCreature of Nightmares Woman Figure Woman Figure

The InitiatesThe Initiates

These are young heroes These are young heroes or heroines who, prior to or heroines who, prior to their quest, must endure their quest, must endure some training and some training and ceremony.  They are ceremony.  They are usually innocent and usually innocent and often wear white.   often wear white.  

Example: Daniel from Example: Daniel from The Karate Kid. The Karate Kid.

http://spencerpeet.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/karate-kid-se-sleeve.jpg

The MentorThe Mentor

These individuals serve These individuals serve as teachers or counselors as teachers or counselors to the initiates. to the initiates.  Sometimes they work as  Sometimes they work as role models and often role models and often serve as father or mother serve as father or mother figure. figure.

Examples: Obi-Wan Examples: Obi-Wan Kenobe, DumbledoreKenobe, Dumbledore

1. http://www.odj310388.com/wallpapercomp/images/obiwan.jpg

2. http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Film/Pix/gallery/2001/07/03/Albusdumbledorerichardharris.jpg

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Father – Son ConflictFather – Son Conflict

Tension often results from Tension often results from separation during childhood separation during childhood or from an external source or from an external source when the individuals meet when the individuals meet as men and where the as men and where the mentor often has a higher mentor often has a higher place in the affections of the place in the affections of the hero than the natural parent hero than the natural parent

Example: Romeo & Lord Example: Romeo & Lord MontagueMontague

1. http://p7.p.pixnet.net/albums/userpics/7/0/308370/1178083764.jpg 2. http://www.mymovies.it/filmclub/attori/3994.jpg

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Archetype Activity

Get in groups of four (4) by finding the other people who have a character from your story.

Ariel

Flounder

SebastianUrsula

JokerAlfred Pennyworth

Batman

Jaq & Gus Fairy Godmother

Stepmother

Nemo

Dori

Bruce

Crush

Dumbledore

Draco

Rupert

MagnetoRogue

Professor X

Scar

Rafiki

Timon and Pumba

Simba

Donkey Shrek

Lord FarquaadPrincess Fiona Lord Farquaad

Neytiri

Jake

Neytiri’s Mother

Commander

Archetype Activity

With your group, determine the role each character played in the story.

Before you determine the role of your characters, each group member will have to determine his/her role during this activity.

Archetype Activity Roles

Task Master: You are responsible for picking up the supplies/materials your group needs during the activity and turning them back in at the end of the activity. You will also be the one responsible for making sure everyone in your group helps pick up any trash or debris that may have collected in your group’s workstation.

Archetype Activity Roles

Time Keeper: You will ensure everyone in your group is aware of how much time is left to finish the task and that your group finishes in the time allotted.

Archetype Activity Roles

Recorder: You are responsible for legibly writing down the information your group will present to the class.

Archetype Activity Roles

Speaker: You are responsible for sharing your group’s ideas with the rest of the class.

Evidence of Learning

Each group member needs to use the back of his/her KWL chart and label it like the example below.

Character’s Name Character’s Role Evidence From Story

Evidence of Learning

Work together to fill in each of the columns by discussing your group’s story.

Document your group’s final answer in the format of the three (3) columns on the paper provided.

You will have ten (10) minutes to complete this activity.

COLUMN 2Use the following questions to come up with ONE (1) word to describe each character

What type of character was he/she? What type of relationship did the character have

with each of the other characters? How did the character feel throughout the story? If your group is not familiar with one or more of

the characters in your group, use the body language and facial expression clues each character gives in his/her picture.

COLUMN 3: Support Your Answer

Try to think of at least two (2) things your character did in the story that supports your answer in Column 2.

Write your support in Column 3.

Class Discussion: Compare

What roles do some of the characters share from each story?

What did you learn about archetype?

K W L (What do you KNOW?) (What do you WANT to know?) (What did you

LEARN?)