Situational ArchetypesSituational ArchetypesSituational ArchetypesSituational Archetypes

DefinitionDefinitionDefinitionDefinitionArchetypes are things patterned after an original and many are so common that you often don’t need extensive knowledge of the original to appreciate the meaning or intent.

The TaskThe TaskThe TaskThe Task

To save the kingdom, to identify himself To save the kingdom, to identify himself To save the kingdom, to identify himself To save the kingdom, to identify himself so that he may assume his rightful so that he may assume his rightful so that he may assume his rightful so that he may assume his rightful position the hero must perform some position the hero must perform some position the hero must perform some position the hero must perform some nearly superhuman deed nearly superhuman deed nearly superhuman deed nearly superhuman deed

The Fall

This archetype describes a descent This archetype describes a descent This archetype describes a descent This archetype describes a descent from a higher to a lower state of being. from a higher to a lower state of being. from a higher to a lower state of being. from a higher to a lower state of being. The experience involves a defilement The experience involves a defilement The experience involves a defilement The experience involves a defilement and/or loss of innocence.and/or loss of innocence.and/or loss of innocence.and/or loss of innocence.

Death and RebirthDeath and RebirthDeath and RebirthDeath and RebirthThe most common of all situational The most common of all situational The most common of all situational The most common of all situational archetypes, this motif grows out of the archetypes, this motif grows out of the archetypes, this motif grows out of the archetypes, this motif grows out of the parallel between the cycle of nature and life. parallel between the cycle of nature and life. parallel between the cycle of nature and life. parallel between the cycle of nature and life. Morning and springtime represent rebirth, Morning and springtime represent rebirth, Morning and springtime represent rebirth, Morning and springtime represent rebirth, birth, and youth; evening and winter suggest birth, and youth; evening and winter suggest birth, and youth; evening and winter suggest birth, and youth; evening and winter suggest old age and death.old age and death.old age and death.old age and death.

Battle between Good and EvilBattle between Good and EvilBattle between Good and EvilBattle between Good and Evil

a battle between two primal forces a battle between two primal forces a battle between two primal forces a battle between two primal forces –––– mankind mankind mankind mankind shows eternal optimism in continual portrayal shows eternal optimism in continual portrayal shows eternal optimism in continual portrayal shows eternal optimism in continual portrayal of good triumphing over evil despite great of good triumphing over evil despite great of good triumphing over evil despite great of good triumphing over evil despite great oddsoddsoddsodds

The Magic WeaponThe Magic WeaponThe Magic WeaponThe Magic Weapon

This symbolizes the extraordinary This symbolizes the extraordinary This symbolizes the extraordinary This symbolizes the extraordinary quality of the hero because no one else quality of the hero because no one else quality of the hero because no one else quality of the hero because no one else can wield the weapon or use it to its can wield the weapon or use it to its can wield the weapon or use it to its can wield the weapon or use it to its fullest potential. It is usually given by a fullest potential. It is usually given by a fullest potential. It is usually given by a fullest potential. It is usually given by a mentor figure.mentor figure.mentor figure.mentor figure.

The InitiationThe InitiationThe InitiationThe Initiation

This usually takes the form of an This usually takes the form of an This usually takes the form of an This usually takes the form of an initiation into adult life. The adolescent initiation into adult life. The adolescent initiation into adult life. The adolescent initiation into adult life. The adolescent comes into his/her maturity with new comes into his/her maturity with new comes into his/her maturity with new comes into his/her maturity with new awareness and problems along with new awareness and problems along with new awareness and problems along with new awareness and problems along with new hope for the community.hope for the community.hope for the community.hope for the community.

Character Archetypes

•The Hero•The Child•The Trickster•Old Man - Wisdom

The Hero• The Hero is a protagonist whose life is a

series of well-marked adventures.• The Hero is characterized by courage,

strength, and honor.• He is the essence of bravery and nobility,

but he will have to sacrifice his life for the good of the cause

The Child

• Characterized as:Innocent and naïveNeeds protecting by adult/guardian

Most characters are actual childrenAn adult character can be considered “The

Child” if exhibits childlike qualities.

The child is exposed to the evils in the world.

Trickster/Deceiver

• The Trickster is a clown, or mischief maker. • The trickster can be an ally or companion of

the hero, or may work for the villain.He/She is commonly:UnderhandedMischievousDouble agentUsually lives in dual reality

Old-Man Wizard

• Old Man Wizard introduces our hero to a larger world that is usually unknown to him.

• Often is taken out of the story, so the hero has to act alone and conquer the villain.

Characteristics:OldWiseOften MaleAssistant to the hero or protagonist

Can you tell what archetype each of these characters are?