1. Archetypes

2. Carl Jung
Various cultures created similar stories to explain some of life’s most difficult questions.
Natural Phenonmena
“Why do we die?” or “Why are we born?”
The “Collective Unconscious” - Refers to common experience of all cultures and humans.
Jung coined the term “archetype” to explain these patterns.
Each individual shares in a common heritage of experiential structures.
Living psychic forces that Jung believed we can never be cut loose from.
These are our archetypal functions.

3. Archetypes Type or pattern. Inherited part of being human. Universal.
From the Greek word archein, meaning type or original pattern.
Inherited part of being human.
Inherited idea/mode of thought present in the unconscious of all individuals by virtue of their being members of the human race.
Universal.
Come from man’s social & psychological being.
Recurs throughout literature.
An image, character, pattern of circumstances that recurs throughout literature and thought consistently enough to be considered a universal concept or situation.

4. A Few Common Archetypes
The King
noble
The Trickster
Intelligent schemer
The Lover
romantic
The Warrior
brave fighter
The Femme Fatale
seductress
The Victim Princess
Helpless, man saves
The Victim
Needs rescuing
The Guide
Wise counselor

5. The Hero Archetype Tragic Epic Folk
Noble birth, tragic flaw, downfall, pity
Ex: Oedipus
Epic
Unusual birth, trials/enemies, final task, returns home
Ex: Gilgamesh
Folk
Normal person, transforms, defender of justice
Ex: Frodo Baggins, Robin Hood

6. Archetype Examples…

7. Archetypes
The Initiates
Young heroes/heroines.
Endure training.
Mentor
Teachers/counselors.
Role models.
Often serve as father or mother figures.
Companions
Loyal companions on quest.
Willing to face any number of perils in order to be together.

8. Archetypes (Cont.)
The Devil Figure
Evil incarnate
Tempts hero.
Offers worldly goods in exchange for possession of the soul.
Evil Figure with Good Heart
Redeemable figure.
Saved by the nobility or love of the hero.
The Outcast
Banished from a social group.
Accused of some crime against his fellow man.

9. Archetypes (cont.)
The Star Crossed Lovers
Love affair fated to end tragically
Creature of Nightmare
monster from darkest part of the human psyche.
Threatens lives of the hero/heroine.

10. Situational Archetypes
The Fall
Fall from higher to lower state.
Loss of Innocence.
Death and Rebirth
Cycle of nature, cycle of life.
All humans and nature experience a pattern of death and rebirth.
Good versus Evil
Battle between two primary forces.
Good triumphs over evil.
Mankind shows eternal optimism in the continual betrayal of evil despite great odds.

11. Archetype Assignment
Read “The Sky Tree” and “Coyote Finishes His Work” on pages in your textbook.
Answer the “Thinking Critically” questions for each myth on page 26.
In place of number five for “Coyote Finishes His Work,” answer the following question: Identify and explain the various archetypes you see in this myth.
When you have completed that, write a short myth (1/2 page-1 page) explaining something in the world using at least on archetype.