THE ARCHETYPAL HERO Mrs. Morse’s Class English I Pre-AP

What are Archetypes? Simply put, an archetype is a recurring pattern of character, symbol, or situation found in the mythology, religion, and stories of all cultures.

Why do we have heroes? Heroes are a small part of a culture's mythology. All societies have similar hero stories not because they coincidentally made them up on their own, but because heroes are a kind of metaphor for the human search of self- knowledge. Heroes give men and women hope for such things as life after death, reprieve from suffering, and a sense that order rules their lives.

Are heroes relevant today? They have been useful for thousands of years to the people for whom they serve as an idealized human, a sort of "super" person, capable of dealing with problems that surpass normal humans and their abilities.

Example of a Modern Hero An excellent example of a modern hero performing this social conditioning is Luke Skywalker in Star Wars. Luke affirms our belief in the power of mankind over technology's "evil" invasion of our world. Computers were beginning to become fairly common in the late 1970's, and many people had anxieties about their dominance in society; hence, the hero is refashioned into a triumph of human spirit over technology's evil plans.

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS Unusual circumstances of birth; –Many heroes are born to royalty or are in danger at birth.Many heroes are born to royalty or are in danger at birth. –Either way, they are marked by these circumstances as different and destined for greatness.Either way, they are marked by these circumstances as different and destined for greatness. Brainstorm some “heroes” in film or literature that fit this characteristic.

Unusual Circumstances of Birth Remember the beginning of Lion King? Simba's birth is being celebrated. The unusual aspect of his birth is his royal status. His father, Mumfasa, is the King of the Jungle. Although viewers of Star Wars must wait until the second movie to find out the truth about Luke's birth, hints about the unusual circumstances are given, such as the fact he lives with his aunt and uncle and didn't know his parents.

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS Leaves family or land and lives with others Do any of your original brainstormed heroes fit this description as well? Complete the brainstorm sheet with your “hero.”

Leaves Family or Land Sometimes the circumstances are traumatic that force the hero to leave. With Luke in Star Wars, the circumstances are more for protection than anything else. Either way, the hero must leave his home temporarily. Simba's father is murdered by Scar, which leaves our little hero helpless and forces him to leave his kingdom. Have no fear, however, heroes always return to their land.

An event, sometimes traumatic, leads to adventure or questAn event, sometimes traumatic, leads to adventure or quest Complete brainstorm sheet. COMMON CHARACTERISTICS

The Adventure Begins An event takes place that begins an adventure for the hero. Sometimes it is traumatic, or sometimes it is simply conincidental like in Simba’s case, where he meets Nala. Simba initially fights with Nala, but they soon realize they are friends. She tells him of Scar's reign, which begins Simba's quest to gain his father's kingdom back from Scar. Luke abruptly began his quest to fight the Empire when Stormtroopers murder his aunt and uncle. Luke left the farm and never returned, going on to become a Jedi master.

Hero has a special weapon only he can wieldHero has a special weapon only he can wield You can't be a hero without a cool weapon, right? It's true. In most hero stories, the hero has a special weapon, often one that only he can use. Complete brainstorm sheet. COMMON CHARACTERISTICS

Special Weapon Luke uses a light saber, an outdated weapon of the Jedi Knights, in Star Wars. Here's Luke testing the light saber Ben has just given him. The saber belonged to Luke's father. Only a Jedi can master this weapon.

Hero always has supernatural help Heroes always seem to receive some sort of supernatural help, whether it be from a god, a wizard, or a spirit. Complete brainstorm sheet. COMMON CHARACTERISTICS

Supernatural Help Luke in Star Wars gets help from Ben even after Ben is slain by Darth Vader. Here is Ben healing Luke after Luke has been attacked by the Sand People. Ben has many powers that make him a wizard-like character, similar to Merlin. Ben teaches Luke about the Force and later guides him from the spirit world. Simba sees his father's spirit and also gets helps from Rafiki, a medicine man-type character. Rafiki is the supernatural force in The Lion King. He doesn't play as large a part as Merlin or Ben, but he does influence Simba and provide him with guidance.

The Hero must prove himself many times while on adventureThe Hero must prove himself many times while on adventure A hero just can't claim he's a hero and assume his position, now can he? The hero must prove to himself and others that he is the true hero. Complete brainstorm sheet. COMMON CHARACTERISTICS

Must Prove Himself/Herself Luke faces Darth in battle several times during the Star Wars trilogy. These battles, along with other services Luke provides for the Rebellion, his training with Yoda, and his personal maturing are part of the trials he must successfully pass through to become the hero. Simba, like Luke, is immature at first and unable to be the hero he will eventually become. However, once Simba realizes Scar must be removed and Simba is the only one who can do it, Simba assumes his proper role as the hero and saves the land from the evil Scar. Hmmmmm, that -does- sound just like Luke, doesn't it?

The Journey and the Unhealable Wound The hero is always on some type of adventure with a purpose--a quest if you will. He experiences many things on this quest, among which is a descent into a kind of "hell." In this hell he experiences a low point in his life that leaves him scarred forever with a real or psychological wound that will not heal. The hero learns from this descent into "hell" much about himself and usually matures greatly from the experience. COMMON CHARACTERISTICS

The Journey and the Unhealable Wound Luke in Star Wars perhaps illustrates this stage best. His quest, without knowing it at first, is to rescue his father from the Dark Side of the Force. Luke's descent into hell occurs when he decides to rescue his friends trapped on Cloud City, Lando Calrissian's gas mining operation. He leaves his Jedi training before it is completed to perform this rescue. Luke is not prepared to face Darth Vader, who is waiting for him at the gas mine. In the duel, Luke loses his hand and chooses to jump to almost certain death rather than give in to Vader's proposal to join the Dark Side of the Force. Luke's loss of his right hand in the duel is his Unhealable Wound. Clearly, this is the lowest point in Luke's journey to become a Jedi Knight and save his father. His wound and this low point teach him about himself, however, and eventually help him to become a true hero. Simba's descent into "hell" is combined with his defeat of Scar and the hyenas. Remember all the flames in the background as he fights Scar? He symbolically goes where none of the other lions could go in order to help his tribe and prove himself. Simba's Unhealable Wound? His past, where his courage failed him and his tribe, will always haunt him.

Hero experiences atonement with the fatherHero experiences atonement with the father Atonement means to offer payment for a wrongdoing. Very often, heroes must avenge a father or make up for the father's evil. Complete your brainstorm sheet. COMMON CHARACTERISTICS

Atonement with Father The spirit of Mumfasa, Simba's father, tells Simba to be strong and assume his place on the throne. Simba, who has been reluctant up to this point to return to his kingdom, realizes he has little choice but to avenge his father's murder. Luke's ultimate quest is rescuing his father from the evil of the Dark Side. Here, Luke consoles his dying father after his father saves Luke and atones for his own past by killing the Emperor, the leader of the Empire. Much like Arthur, Luke chooses to be good, the opposite of what the father chose, and therefore atones for the father's sins.

When the hero dies, he is rewarded spirituallyWhen the hero dies, he is rewarded spiritually After the hero's journeys are over, the hero is rewarded spiritually in some way. Normally, the hero achieves a life in bliss, often in a place with other heroes. COMMON CHARACTERISTICS

Spiritually Rewarded There is no indication of what happens to Simba but we can infer from the appearance of his father's spirit that immortality awaits him. Here's Obi-Wan, Yoda, and Anakin Skywalker in spirit form. They all were Jedi Knights and are now rewarded spiritually for being on the Good Side of the Force, implying that a Jedi like Luke will be rewarded when his body dies.