Hero’s Journey, Archetypes, and Symbols Trimester One – 8 th Grade

Archetypes zAn original model or pattern zPart of the collective memory since prehistoric times zOccurs through all elements of the arts- literature, dance, painting, music and sculpture zIn literature archetypes occur as: ycharacters, symbols and colors, themes, settings, life cycles

The Archetypal Characters zHero zVillain zFair Maiden zMentor zSidekick or Evil Henchmen

The Archetypal Hero zHERO ycan either be male or female (in western literature, the hero is more often male) yUsually superior to common people in three ways: x1. Morally x2. Mentally x3. Physically xException: Moral superiority allows him to fight the villain, allowing good to triumph over evil if he is NOT mentally or physically superior

The Seven Stages of a Hero ’ s Life 1.Birth/Childhood = Exposition 2.Call to Adventure = Conflict 3.Preparation=1st Stage of Complications/Rising Action 4.Quests = 2nd Stage of Complications/Rising Action 5.Ultimate Battle = Climax 6.Road Back = Denouement / Falling Action 7.Triumphant Return or Honorable Death = Resolution Picture of combined plot and hero journey diagram here

5 Stages of a Hero ’ s Life Birth - Exposition z1. Birth/Childhood yA sign that he or she is special  A hero ’ s birth or childhood is unusual or marked by something unusual.  Examples: Moses in the Bull Rushes, Macbeth who was “ not of woman born ”, Nemo (deformed fin) who saved himself and fellow fish, Luke Skywalker was orphaned, etc.

Stages of a Hero ’ s Life-Call to Adventure - Conflict z2. Call to Adventure zA herald or announcer appears  Sometimes someone dark, loathly, terrifying, and/or unordinary; possibly a beast  The call promises both treasure and danger.  The call requires travel to a distant land (forest, kingdom, underground, beneath ocean,etc.)

Stages of a Hero ’ s Life- Preparation-Rising Action 1 z2. Preparation yA hero must prepare for surviving on his/her own yUndergoes physical rigors yGoes through mental, moral and intellectual development yMentor acts as coach

Stages of a Hero ’ s Life Quest-Rising Action 2 z3. Quest yQuest is the perilous journey that the hero must go alone. No one may help. yThe hero can try out what he/she has learned yDuring the quest, hero travels to and through various wastelands. The hero sees the other side of life.

Stages of a Hero ’ s Life Ultimate Battle-Climax z4. Ultimate Battle yThe hero must use all the skills he has learned against the enemy. ySometimes he/she receives divine or other help but the hero must succeed on his/her own. yThe battle itself becomes the initiation into adulthood or elevates him/her to hero status.

Stages of a Hero ’ s Life Road Back-Falling Action z4. Road Back yThe hero has won a prize (treasure, a loved one, etc.). yThe hero must return home. yHe/she might meet resistance or obstructions on the return home.

Stages of a Hero ’ s Life Return or Death-Resolution z5. Triumphant Return or Honorable Death  Final Stage of Hero ’ s life yHero lives or dies yIf hero lives, xHe/she returns to homeland and is honored. xthe return is triumphant and usually the story ends there. yIf death occurs, xit is usually fantastic or dramatic.  survivors mourn the hero ’ s death and honor his deeds  usually the survivors build a monument in hero ’ s honor xEx: Beowulf

Archetypal Themes  Used in literature to express the need “ to set the universe on the right course. ” zBasis of legends and myths zHow we get heroes and villains zMoral life and righteous life succeeds.

Archetypal Themes zThe 3 Big Ones: yLove conquers all. yGood will triumph over evil. yHate, if victorious, will destroy all.

Archetypal Themes  Think of themes of westerns, “Star Wars”, cartoons, comic books with heroes and villains, legends and myths. z The bad deserve to lose, the good should always win, the power of love should be stronger than the power of hate.

Character Types - Villain zArchetypal Villain is: yThe counterbalance to the hero yUsually embodies the evil the hero must battle in his search for self and the conquest of evil yThwarts positive action of the hero

Character Types - Villain yUsually dark or clothed in dark clothes yIs the person the hero must battle in his search for himself yIs the person the hero must defeat to conquer evil. yExamples: Darth Vader, various dragons, the hell-hounds in Stephen King novels

Character Types - Fair Maiden/Love Interest zArchetypal Fair Maiden is: yThe romantic focus of the hero and/or the villain yThe victim who must be saved from evil.  Pure and innocent of the world ’ s evil ways.

Character Types - Mentor zArchetypal Mentor is: yIs the one who prepares the hero for the journey and the ultimate battle yIs the person who provides the lessons the hero uses during the quest and ultimate battle yHas lessons that provide moral strength

Character Types--Mentor yMay give up his life or make sacrifice to save another or save the cause yKnown as the shaman or wiseman yExamples: Gandalf (Lord of the Rings) or Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars)

Character Types - Sidekicks or Henchmen zArchetypal Sidekick and/or Henchmen: yReinforces the heroic personality of the hero  Often adds humor or “ warm fuzzies ” ySupports or is the best friend of the hero/villain yExamples: xBatman and Robin, Lone Ranger and Tonto

Other Character Types zShaman/Wise Person zSiren/Seductress zWarrior