1. Archetypes
Archetypes can be understood as being original or a model in which other variations of a similar story are based upon. It can also be viewed as being a pattern, that is used over and over again. A text that is based on an archetype will follow a pattern that can be easily recognized. Archetypes can be discovered and inputted into storylines, characters, plots, symbols, and circumstances. They can be found into mythological stories, religious texts/stories of all cultures, and are present in art, literature, and media productions.

2. Why is it important to interpret archetypes in modern-day life?
- The themes, characters, and plot lines found is present-day literary masterpieces, or literature in general, are based on those found in much older stories, such as old mythological stories - Archetypal patterns are also found in today's popular culture, in various types. These include films, comics, and songs - When you begin to understand archetypes found in texts, you will have another form of analyzing at your disposal. Understanding archetypal patterns will allow you to better understand any texts that make references and allusions found in them, to other texts. This will help you further understand stories

3. In this lesson, you will at some dominant archetypes found in literature in today's modern-age. In this lesson you will learn about two types of archetypal patterns – the circle and the monomyth – and two types of archetypal characters – the kindhearted guide and the trickster character.

4. The Circle as an Archetype
- The circular shape is an archetypal pattern that is found both in life and in literature.
Life:
Literature:
Stage 1 – You are born and the cycle begins - you are dependent on others - When you are a child, you become a bit independent Stage 2 – You are a teenager
- your independence increases and others begin to depend on you - you begin working and you have commitments and expectations
Stage 1 – Birth - the character is born, whether literally or figuratively Stage 2 – Events - throughout the story, the characters a number of events in their lives

5. Life:
Literature:
Stage 3 – You are an adult - you have more responsibilities - you support yourself and maybe your family as well, financially Stage 4 – You are a senior citizen – the circle ends - you become dependent on others again - the same dependcy you had when you were an infant, may be seen again as you near the end of your life - when you die, the cycle ends
Stage 3 – Struggles - characters a number of struggles in their lives, from the situations they encounter Stage 4 – Death/Rebirth - characters usually are reborn in someway - they learn something new about themselves - they give up or lose something in order to gain something - they change as a person

6. Task # 1
Choose a story, from either literature or a film, and break down the movie using the four stages in the archetypal circle. Reflect on each stage in your chosen story, and write a summary under each stage. Please do this in the comment section of this page.