1. Warm-up
What are some common story lines you hear in movies or books? Name and explain three.
What are some common types of characters you see in movies or books? Name and explain three.

2. Archetypes

3. Archetypes
original model or type after which other similar things are patterned; a prototype.
Historically, people who had no contact with each other developed myths to explain natural phenomena to answer such questions why we die and why we are born.

4. Characteristics of Archetypes
inherited part of being human
connect everyone to a common source.
universal
Come from man’s social & psychological being.

5. A Few Masculine Archetypes
The Wild Man
The King
The Trickster/Fox
The Lover
The Warrior

6. A Few Feminine Archetypes
The Great Mother
The Stepmother/ Witch
The Femme Fatale
The Victim Princess

7. Other Archetypes The Child The Victim The Guide The Fool
The Mystic Wizard
The Vampire

8. The Hero Archetype One of the most common archetypes is the Hero
Tragic
Epic
Folk
Romantic

9. The Tragic Hero The hero is of noble birth
The hero has a tragic flaw that leads to his downfall
There is a reversal of fortune brought about by the hero’s tragic flaw
The hero’s actions result in an increase of self-awareness
The audience must feel pity and fear for this character

10. The Epic Hero Unusual circumstances surround the hero’s birth
The hero faces trials and enemies while struggling on an epic journey
The hero usually encounter a temptress who threatens the hero’s completion of the journey
At the end of the journey, the hero must complete a final task alone
When the final task is complete, the hero returns home, a leader of his people

11. The Folk Hero The hero begins life as a normal person
The hero transforms into someone extraordinary by significant events
The hero may be a defender of the common people against the oppression or corruption of the established power structure
The hero may live “outside of the law.”

12. The Romantic Hero
The hero rejects established norms and societal conventions
Other characteristics
introspective misanthropy
wanderlust alienation
melancholy isolation

13. Some Archetype Sampling

14. The Initiates
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. Mentors
These individuals serve as teachers or counselors to the initiates.
Sometimes they work as role models and often serve as father or mother figures.

16. Hunting Group of Companions
Loyal companions willing to face any number of perils in order to be together.

17. Loyal Retainers Often these are servants May be heroic themselves.
Duty is to protect the hero and reflect the nobility of the hero.

18. The Devil Figure Evil incarnate
Offers worldly goods, fame, or knowledge to the hero in exchange for possession of the soul.

19. The Evil Figure with the Ultimately Good Heart
A redeemable figure saved by the nobility or love of the hero.

20. The Outcast
A figure who is banished from a social group for some crime (real or imagined) against his fellow man.
The Outcast is usually destined to become a wanderer from place to place.

21. The Star Crossed Lovers
Characters are engaged in a love affair that is fated to end tragically

22. The Creature of Nightmare
A monster usually summoned from the deepest, darkest part of the human psyche to threaten the lives of the hero/heroine.

23. The Fall
This archetype describes a fall from a higher to a lower state of being.
This experience involves a defilement and/or loss of Innocence and Bliss.
The fall is often accompanied by the expulsion from paradise as a penalty for disobedience.

24. Death and Rebirth
The most common of all situational archetypes, this motif grows out of the parallel between the cycle of nature and the cycle of life. For example, morning and springtime represent birth, youth, or rebirth; evening and winter suggest old age or death.

25. Battle Between Good and Evil
The battle between two primary forces.
Mankind shows eternal optimism in the continual betrayal of good triumphing over evil despite great odds.

26. 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.
When you have completed that, write a short myth (1/2 page-1 page) explaining something in the world using at least on archetype.