1. Archetype
A recurrent pattern, character type, theme or image which is identifiable in a wide variety of works of literature.

2. General Terms
An archetype is a recurring symbol, theme, character, or setting.
It's something that's appeared in literature so often that it is very recognizable.
Example of an archetypical theme: “Love conquers all."
Example of an archetypical plot structure: The love triangle.

3. Character Archetypes
Many different character archetypes throughout literature.
Any time you can compare some heroic or evil character to another you are dealing with archetypes on some level.

4. The Hero Often participate in the classic hero journey. Examples:
“The main character leaves his or her community to go on an adventure, performing deeds that bring honor to the community” (Herz and Gallo 121).
Examples:
D’artagnan from the three musketeers
Simba from the Lion King
Hobbits in Lord of the Rings

5. Mother Figure
Surrogate Mother. Comforts and directs child, especially when he or she is confused and needs guidance.
Fairy tales characters such as the stepmother in Cinderella, fairy godmothers, Mother Goose, Little Red Riding Hood, Briar Rose, Pocahontas
Literature: Galadriel from Lord of the Rings, Glinda from the Wizard of Oz, Dante’s Beatrice.

6. The Great Teacher/Mentor
Wise elder – Protects or helps main character when he or she faces challenges.
Sometimes they work as role models and often serve as father or mother figure. They teach by example the skills necessary to survive the journey and quest.
Examples
Obi Wan Kenobi
Rafiki

7. The Innocent Child or inexperienced adult
Their greatest strength is their trust and optimism. Their positivity endears them to others.
Their main danger is that they may be blind to their obvious weaknesses or deny them. They also may become dependent on others to fulfill their heroic task.
Frodo – Lord of the Rings

8. The Sacrificial Redeemer
“The protagonist is willing to die for his or her beliefs; the main character maintains a strong sense of morality” (Herz and Gallo 123).
Often features some aspect of higher power.
On a mission to save others/humanity.
Jesus Christ
Simon from Lord of the Flies

9. Scapegoat/Sacrificial Victim
The one who gets blamed for everything, regardless of whether he or she is at fault.
Snowball from George Orwell’s Animal Farm
Hassan from The Kite Runner

10. Enchantress/Temptress
Characterized by beauty, this is usually a woman whom the protagonist is physically attracted and who ultimately brings about his downfall. May appear as a witch or other mystical character.
The Sirens in Mythology
Mystique from X-Men
Elektra King from James
Bond The World is Not
Enough

11. Villain The Antagonist The Bad Guy Examples: Cruella DeVille
The Big Bad Wolf

12. Trickster
A trickster is a god, goddess, spirit, man, woman, or anthropomorphic animal who plays tricks or otherwise disobeys normal rules and conventional behavior.
Loki
Coyote

13. Evil Incarnate The Devil or Serpent
This character represents evil itself. He or she may offer worldly goods, fame, or knowledge to the protagonist in exchange for possession of the soul or integrity. This figure’s main aim is to oppose the hero in his or her quest.
Voldemort
Sauron
Dracula

14. Archetypical Settings
Forest
Caves and tunnels
The Mountaintop
The River
The Sea
Islands

15. Archtype Events
Journey – The protagonist takes a journey, usually physical but sometimes emotional, during which he or she learns something about himself or herself or finds meaning in his or her life as well as acceptance in a community
Linear
Circular
Quests
Quest for material wealth
Quest for security, as a secure place to live
Quest for kin
Quest for global good, such as when a kingdom is threatened
Quest for self, for self-identity or self-assurance

16. Rite of Initiation/Passage
This is the process by which a character grows into a new sphere of influence, usually into adulthood.

17. Parental/Relational Conflict
The protagonist overcomes parental conflict or abandonment by bonding with others or pursuing some greater good.

18. Sleep/Dreams
Person is somehow renewed or enlightened through sleep/dreams. New information is obtained or psychological truth is revealed.

19. The Test/Trial
Faced with a seemingly insurmountable struggle, the protagonist must overcome to show his or her quality.

20. Birth/Death and Rebirth
Through pain and suffering the protagonist overcomes feelings of despair. Then, either physically or through some level of self-realization, the hero is “reborn” into something greater.

21. The Fall: Expulsion from Eden
The main character is expelled from the place he/she wants to be due to a mistake or grave sin.