1. Archetypes
What is a hero?

2. Video Clip
Hero?

3. Definition of archetype:
the original pattern or model from which all things of the same kind are copied or on which they are based; a model or first form; prototype.
Example: Frankenstein , Dracula are both archetypes that have influenced subsequent horror stories – i.e. Freddy Krueger

4. 3 Different Practical Archetypes
Situation Archetype
Character Archetype
Symbolic Archetype

5. Situation Archetypes The Quest The Journey The Task The Initiation
The Fall
Death and Rebirth
The Battle between Good & Evil

6. The Quest
Examples:
The Lion King, Excalibur, Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail.
the search for someone or something (a talisman) which, when found and brought back, will restore fertility to a wasted land, the desolation of which is mirrored by a leader’s illness and disability.
Note:  “fertility” does not necessarily mean “reproduction” or “fruitfulness.” It can and often does mean prosperity, peace, harmony.

7. The Journey
Example:
The Odyssey, The Canterbury Tales, The Aeneid, The Fellowship of the Rings, The Lord of the Flies
 The journey sends the hero in search for some truth or information necessary to restore fertility to the kingdom.   a.      The hero descends into a real or psychological hell b.      He is forced to discover or face the blackest truths about himself (usually). c.      He accepts responsibility for his faults and acknowledges his mistakes. d.      He returns to the world of the living.

8. The Task
Examples:
Hercules, The Sword and the Stone, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Beowulf.
To save the kingdom, to win the fair lady, to identify himself so that he may resume his rightful position, the hero must perform some nearly superhuman deed.
This differs from the Quest in that in the Quest, the ultimate goal is to restore fertility; here the goal is to gain something (power, the girl, wealth, etc.)

9. The Initiation Examples:
This usually takes the form of an initiation into adult life.  The adolescent comes into his or her own maturity with new awareness and problems along with new hope for the community.  This awakening is often the climax of the story.  It does parallel the Ritual.
Examples:
Huckleberry Finn, The Lion King, King Arthur, the Hobbits.  The Harry Potter series.

10. The Fall
Examples:
Adam and Eve, Lancelot and Guinevere, Milton’s Paradise Lost, many detective/cops stories.
This archetype describes a descent from a higher state of being to a lower state of being.  The experience involves a defilement and/or a loss of innocence and bliss.  The fall is often accompanied by an expulsion from a kind of paradise as penalty for disobedience and moral transgression.  

11. Death & Rebirth
This is the most common of all situational archetypes.  It is the parallel between the cycle of nature and the cycle of life.  Thus, morning and springtime represent birth, youth, or rebirth; evening and winter suggest old age or death.

12. The Battle Between Good & Evil
Examples:
The forces of Sauron and those of Middle Earth in The Lord of the Rings, Satan vs. God in  Milton’s Paradise Lost, any western movie or novel, most cartoons, The book of Revelation.
Obviously, the battle between two primal forces.  Mankind shows eternal optimism in the continual portrayal of good triumphing over evil despite great odds.

13. Character Archetype The Hero The Initiates Mentors Father-Son Conflict
Loyal Retainers
Devil Figure
Creature of Nightmares
Woman Figure

14. The Initiates Example: Daniel from The Karate Kid.
These are young heroes or heroines who, prior to their quest, must endure some training and ceremony.  They are usually innocent and often wear white.  

15. The Mentor
These individuals serve as teachers or counselors to the initiates.  Sometimes they work as role models and often serve as father or mother figure.
Examples – Obi-Wan Kenobe, Dumbledore
(1)
(2)

16. Father – Son Conflict
Tension often results from separation during childhood or from an external source when the individuals meet as men and where the mentor often has a higher place in the affections of the hero than the natural parent
Example: Romeo & Lord Montague
(1)
(2)

17. Archetype Activity
Get in groups of four (4) by finding the other people who have a character from your story.

18. Ariel
Flounder
Ursula
Sebastian

19. Alfred Pennyworth
Joker
Batman

20. Stepmother
Fairy Godmother
Jaq & Gus

21. Crush
Nemo
Bruce
Dori

22. Dumbledore
Rupert
Draco

23. Professor X
Rogue
Magneto

24. Simba
Scar
Rafiki
Timon and Pumba

25. Donkey
Shrek
Lord Farquaad
Princess Fiona
Lord Farquaad

26. Commander
Neytiri
Jake
Neytiri’s Mother

27. Archetype Activity
With your group, determine the role each character played in the story.
Before you determine the role of your characters, each group member will have to determine his/her role during this activity.

28. What type of character was he/she?
Think about this …
What type of character was he/she?
What type of relationship did the character have with each of the other characters?
How did the character feel throughout the story?
If your group is not familiar with one or more of the characters in your group, use the body language and facial expression clues each character gives in his/her picture.

29. Support Your Answer
Try to think of at least two (2) things your character did in the story that supports your answer.

30. Class Discussion: Compare
What roles do some of the characters share from each story?