1. Archetypes Taken from “The Writer’s Journey” by Christopher Vogler

2. Hero The hero or heroine is the classic protagonist of the story with whom we associate most. They embody our most aspirational values and put higher duty and the welfare of others before their own, even to extreme forms of self-sacrifice. Achieving the goal of the story may thus be achieved only at terrible personal cost, although the hero may gain much personal learning and growth in the transition. The hero or heroine is the classic protagonist of the story with whom we associate most. They embody our most aspirational values and put higher duty and the welfare of others before their own, even to extreme forms of self-sacrifice. Achieving the goal of the story may thus be achieved only at terrible personal cost, although the hero may gain much personal learning and growth in the transition. Heroes can be willing or unwilling, deliberate or accidental, solitary or leaders, already-recognized as a hero or start out as an ordinary person. Heroes can be willing or unwilling, deliberate or accidental, solitary or leaders, already-recognized as a hero or start out as an ordinary person. They might even be an anti-hero They might even be an anti-hero

3. Purpose of the Hero The hero is our window into the story The hero is our window into the story We must be able to identify with them. We must be able to identify with them. Need to have universal flaws and character traits Need to have universal flaws and character traits They are driven by desires we can all understand: love, revenge, freedom etc They are driven by desires we can all understand: love, revenge, freedom etc

4. Mentor The mentor helps the hero in some way, furnishing them with important skills and advice. They may appear at important moments to help the hero get over an obstacle, then disappear (perhaps to mentor another unknown hero). The mentor helps the hero in some way, furnishing them with important skills and advice. They may appear at important moments to help the hero get over an obstacle, then disappear (perhaps to mentor another unknown hero). Typical mentors are old and wise. Although they may also be younger, they are still likely to be older than the hero as they offer their superior knowledge and experience in support. Perhaps once they were a young hero themselves. Typical mentors are old and wise. Although they may also be younger, they are still likely to be older than the hero as they offer their superior knowledge and experience in support. Perhaps once they were a young hero themselves. The act of giving reminds us of the generosity to which we must aspire. The receiving of the gift may well be seen as reward for courage and self-sacrifice. The act of giving reminds us of the generosity to which we must aspire. The receiving of the gift may well be seen as reward for courage and self-sacrifice.

5. Mentor Explained They act as the conscience of the hero. They act as the conscience of the hero. They teach the hero, offer support in many ways and give gifts. They teach the hero, offer support in many ways and give gifts. They motivate the hero. They motivate the hero. There is more than one kind: dark mentor fallen mentor, multiple mentors, comic mentors or the inner mentor. There is more than one kind: dark mentor fallen mentor, multiple mentors, comic mentors or the inner mentor.

6. Threshold Guardian The Threshold Guardian provides the obstacles to the hero at transitional points in the story. To get past the guardian the hero must fight them, answer riddles, solve problems, give a gift, and so on. The Threshold Guardian provides the obstacles to the hero at transitional points in the story. To get past the guardian the hero must fight them, answer riddles, solve problems, give a gift, and so on. The Threshold Guardian is often neutral, neither supporting nor opposing the hero, although they also may be allied to the antagonist or even a potential ally. The Threshold Guardian is often neutral, neither supporting nor opposing the hero, although they also may be allied to the antagonist or even a potential ally. Thresholds appear before the hero sets out on their journey, before they enter the final 'lion's den' and at critical scene changes. Crossing thresholds symbolize change and points of growth in the hero's character. Thresholds appear before the hero sets out on their journey, before they enter the final 'lion's den' and at critical scene changes. Crossing thresholds symbolize change and points of growth in the hero's character.

7. Threshold Guardian Serve to test the hero. Serve to test the hero. Represent our inner demons and insecurities. Represent our inner demons and insecurities. Can be turned into allies. Are not always to be defeated, are sometimes incorporated. Can be turned into allies. Are not always to be defeated, are sometimes incorporated.

8. Herald The Herald announces important events verbally, telling us what we do not realize or emphasizing the importance of an event. In particular, the herald provides the information that triggers the hero into original action. The Herald announces important events verbally, telling us what we do not realize or emphasizing the importance of an event. In particular, the herald provides the information that triggers the hero into original action. The herald need not be a professional announcer nor even a person - a message on a scrap of paper or a radio broadcast can serve equally to trigger change. The herald need not be a professional announcer nor even a person - a message on a scrap of paper or a radio broadcast can serve equally to trigger change.

9. Herald Can be positive, negative or neutral Can be positive, negative or neutral Alert the hero to change Alert the hero to change Not always a physical being Not always a physical being

10. Shapeshifter The Shapeshifter represents uncertainty and change, reminding us that not all is as it seems. They may be a character who keeps changing sides or whose allegiance is uncertain. They act to keep the hero (and us) on his or her toes and may thus catalyze critical action. The Shapeshifter represents uncertainty and change, reminding us that not all is as it seems. They may be a character who keeps changing sides or whose allegiance is uncertain. They act to keep the hero (and us) on his or her toes and may thus catalyze critical action. A typical Shapeshifter is a person of the opposite sex who provides the love interest and whose affections vary across the story. Other characters may also be shapeshifters, including Mentors, Guardians and Tricksters. A typical Shapeshifter is a person of the opposite sex who provides the love interest and whose affections vary across the story. Other characters may also be shapeshifters, including Mentors, Guardians and Tricksters.

11. May just change mood or may actually change form. May just change mood or may actually change form. A pregnant woman is a shapeshifter. A pregnant woman is a shapeshifter. Is a catalyst for change, a symbol of the urge to transform. Is a catalyst for change, a symbol of the urge to transform. Brings doubt and suspense. Brings doubt and suspense. Often called the femme fatale. Often called the femme fatale. Heroes can become shapeshifters. Heroes can become shapeshifters.

12. Shadow The Shadow is the opposite of light and provides the tension of anxiety and fear in the story. The Shadow is often opposes the hero and is typically the main antagonist. They may also be people who provide obstacles along the way, although not as a guardian. The Shadow is the opposite of light and provides the tension of anxiety and fear in the story. The Shadow is often opposes the hero and is typically the main antagonist. They may also be people who provide obstacles along the way, although not as a guardian. The hero must struggle with the Shadow, somehow overcoming the opposition they provide. The hero must struggle with the Shadow, somehow overcoming the opposition they provide. The shadow also represents the darker side of our own nature, as in Jung's Archetypes, and it is disquieting to recognize them as somehow related to ourselves. The shadow also represents the darker side of our own nature, as in Jung's Archetypes, and it is disquieting to recognize them as somehow related to ourselves.

13. Shadow Story is only as good as its villain. Story is only as good as its villain. Can function as mentors. Can function as mentors. They are deliciously sinister b/c of their qualities. They are deliciously sinister b/c of their qualities. They are humans which makes the choice to destroy them a moral one. They are humans which makes the choice to destroy them a moral one. Internal v external shadow Internal v external shadow

14. Ally The errand runner, the messenger, the person the hero can talk to. The errand runner, the messenger, the person the hero can talk to. The Lone Ranger has Tonto, many Shakespearean characters have a fool. The Lone Ranger has Tonto, many Shakespearean characters have a fool. May have multiple allies or just one. May have multiple allies or just one. In Westerns is called a sidekick. In Westerns is called a sidekick. Need not be human. Need not be human.

15. Trickster The Trickster provides entertainment in the story through wit, foolishness or other means. They may be wise, as in the Shakespearian fool, or may be criminal in their deception. They provide further uncertainty and keep us (and the hero) on our toes. The Trickster provides entertainment in the story through wit, foolishness or other means. They may be wise, as in the Shakespearian fool, or may be criminal in their deception. They provide further uncertainty and keep us (and the hero) on our toes. The Trickster may remind us to lighten up and see the funny side of things. They also remind us not to be naive and to expect the unexpected. The Trickster may remind us to lighten up and see the funny side of things. They also remind us not to be naive and to expect the unexpected.

16. They cut big egos down to size, they bring heroes back down to earth, they create laughter. They cut big egos down to size, they bring heroes back down to earth, they create laughter. They point out folly and hypocrisy. They point out folly and hypocrisy. Serve as comic relief. Serve as comic relief. Often in the form of a rabbit or hare. Often in the form of a rabbit or hare.