Archetypes Notes What do Luke Skywalker, Neo, Simba, Mulan, and King Arthur all have in common?

The Creators Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell Developed the idea of the archetype in the early 20th century.

Archetype Definition A recurring pattern of images, situations, or symbols Found in the mythology, religion, music, art and dreams of cultures around the world. It is a universal idea shared by all people of all time in the “collective subconscious”

Archetypes are metaphors for something larger; something universal. Archetypes give us a basis of understanding and familiarity without explanation.

The Hero Archetype The one we’ll see in The Odyssey Popular in other works of literature, film, and television Hero goes on a quest – the concept is known as The Hero’s Journey

The quest is divided into three different sections: The Departure The Initiation The Return

Kid Hero (When the hero is a younger) S/he has an unusual birth In danger or born into royalty Raised away from her/his people Experiences a traumatic event that changes her/his life forever

Mystic Mentor The hero meets a mentor Helps hero gain confidence, insight, advice, training, or magical gifts to overcome the initial fears before his journey.  Mentor may be a physical person, or an object such as a map, a logbook or other writing.

Magic/Elixir The hero will often have some kind of a talisman Some symbolic item that offers power or strength to the hero.  Usually, only the hero can wield this “weapon.”

Companions Most heroes also have companions on their journey. May offer balance for the hero, they may help the hero in battle, they may help the hero learn valuable lessons or they may offer comic relief. 

Call to Adventure Hero is told that he is to be a great hero and must decide whether to “take the red pill or the blue pill” and undertake the journey. As Obi-Wan put it, “you must do what you feel is right, of course.”

Refusal of the Call Hero will deny that he is “the chosen one” and will try to make excuses for not becoming the hero. Any hero who does refuse will suffer or see his friends/family suffer.

Road of Trials Eventually, the hero joins the mentor Hero performs feats of strength, courage, cunning, and honor while on a quest.

Meeting the Goddess Hero (or heroine) will meet an opposite gender character God or goddess will offer some special help in the form of advice, training or tools.

Belly of the Beast Hero enters a very dangerous “evil” spot. The one exit is often blocked by a major enemy.

Dragon Battle Some heroes will battle literal dragons guarding their treasure Other heroes will battle their inner dragons: The doubts and fears they have about their own ability. The dragons must be slain in order for the hero to complete the journey.

Help from Without When things look bleakest, help will come from an outside source – it can be from a companion, the goddess or from Fate (simple luck)

Victory! The hero will prevail in grand fashion. There will be no doubt that the protagonist has won and that the antagonist has been defeated. …however…

The Pursuit The hero wants to return home, but there are forces that would like to prevent him/her from doing that. 

Master of Two Worlds As the hero completes the challenges, the hero's bravery is noted by those around. As a result, the hero is often looked up to in the old world as well as in the new world. There are times when the hero returns to the old world and his/her message is unheard (especially if it is not what the society was expecting) or the achievements unrecognized. In this case, the hero may die or be killed, or sometimes returns to the new world.

Freedom to Live / Apotheosis If the hero is successful on the journey, and if the hero is accepted back into the old world, the hero will have the freedom to live as that world will have found peace. Such heroes are generally great leaders of their people.

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