Archetypes The Models of Our Entertainment and Philosophies

What is an archetype? An original model which other things are similarly patterned after An image, story pattern, character type, representation, or recurring idea Evokes strong associations to the reader or observer

Are there different kinds of archetypes? There are three main archetypes: Situational Symbolic Character We will focus on character archetypes.

Character Archetypes A person or being that serves as a representative of a greater ideal Characteristics, actions, abilities, or powers contribute to the archetype characterization

Character Archetypes: The Hero Traditionally the protagonist of a story Often his past is a mystery He is the champion, king, leader or savior of many Endures pain and sorrow that all lead to a greater good

Character Archetypes: The Scapegoat Person or group of people who bears the blame and suffers in place of others Public death is a sin of the community Death makes him a more powerful force than when he lived In The Green Mile, John Coffey was accused of a crime he didn’t commit. His time on death row and his ultimate death was more powerful than his life.

Character Archetypes: Wise Counselor/Mentor Serve as a teacher or counselor to the future hero Role Model Sometimes a Father or Mother figure The Karate Kid’s Mr. Miyagi

Character Archetypes: Supernatural Guide Represents knowledge, reflection, insight, wisdom, cleverness, and moral qualities such as goodwill and readiness to help Messengers of the divine Helps someone in need either anonymously or with no expectation of return Glinda the Good Witch gave Dorothy wisdom in finding her way home without expecting anything in return in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Character Archetypes: Companions Loyal to the hero Group willing to face dangers in order to be together Robin Hood’s Merry Men never abandoned him despite the danger

Character Archetypes: Villain/Evil Figure Monster usually summoned from the deepest, darkest parts of the mind Threatens the life of the hero Often a perverse or desecrate form of human Summoned from nightmares, Freddy Krueger terrorized teens in the 80’s and 90’s in the Nightmare on Elm Street films

Character Archetypes: Damsel in Distress Vulnerable woman who must be rescued by the hero She is often used as bait to trap the hero Mary Jane Watson is often being tossed around by villains. Lucky for her Spider-man is her boy-toy!

Character Archetypes: Temptress Sensuous with beauty The hero is physically attracted to her but she will ultimately bring about his downfall From the X-men comics and movies, Jean Grey and Cyclopes fall in love but she ultimately brings his downfall by turning into the Phoenix and killing him.

Character Archetypes: Soul Mate The princess or “beautiful lady” Incarnation of inspiration and spiritual fulfillment Wesley risks his life over and over for Princess Buttercup in Princess Bride

Character Archetypes: Good Mother Symbolic of abundance, fertility, and knowledge Offers spiritual and emotional advice or nourishment to those she meets In the film The Matrix, the Oracle gives spiritual advice to Neo in his quest for the truth

Character Archetypes: Hero in Disguise A Redeemable Devil Saved by the love or faith of a hero May have started out good, then through a fall becomes evil, but returns to good in the end Bah! Hum-Bug! Ebenezer Scrooge realizes his faults and finds good in the world

In Conclusion… Archetypes are everywhere, but we often just overlook them They can be found in every book, short story, TV show, or movie Archetypes represent ideas larger than themselves!