1. ARCHETYPES In literary criticism, archetypes are recurring configurations that appear in myth, religion, folklore, fantasy, and dreams, as well as in art and literature; they are used to discuss the significance of a plot, character, or situation. In literary criticism, archetypes are recurring configurations that appear in myth, religion, folklore, fantasy, and dreams, as well as in art and literature; they are used to discuss the significance of a plot, character, or situation. Edited by R. Efpatridis – 2011 – 1DP English

2. Archetypal Figures The “Woman Figure”: The “Woman Figure”: Women are often found in roles of the Mother Figure who provides motivation and support; Women are often found in roles of the Mother Figure who provides motivation and support; a Temptress Figure, who sometimes sexually distracts the hero from his journey, a Temptress Figure, who sometimes sexually distracts the hero from his journey, a Platonic Ideal Figure who the hero has eventual happiness with or of course a Platonic Ideal Figure who the hero has eventual happiness with or of course the Helper, who guides the hero on his way. the Helper, who guides the hero on his way. Women also are in roles of the Witch using powers for evil or the Enchantress using powers for Good. Women also are in roles of the Witch using powers for evil or the Enchantress using powers for Good. usually females are not found in the role of a hero. usually females are not found in the role of a hero.

3. The Wise Sage / Guide: The Sage provides the hero with insight, advice, sometimes internal or spiritual strength. Good examples of the Guide are: Merlin the Magician, Obi Wan Kenobi and Yoda in Star Wars, Rafiki from The Lion King, and Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings.

4. The Outcast / Trickster: This character usually takes the blame for things having gone wrong. This character usually takes the blame for things having gone wrong. They pay for the crimes by banishment from the social group. Good examples of the Outcast are: Judas in the Bible, Cypher in the Matrix, and Gollum They pay for the crimes by banishment from the social group. Good examples of the Outcast are: Judas in the Bible, Cypher in the Matrix, and Gollum

5. The Adversary / Villain/Devil Figure: This character, the perpetual antagonist to the protagonist, attempts to thwart the hero’s plans and disrupt his journey; is evil incarnate, greedy, lustful, This character, the perpetual antagonist to the protagonist, attempts to thwart the hero’s plans and disrupt his journey; is evil incarnate, greedy, lustful, Examples include Darth Vader, Hades in Hercules, Agent Smith in the Matrix, Scar in The Lion King. Examples include Darth Vader, Hades in Hercules, Agent Smith in the Matrix, Scar in The Lion King.

7. The Hero The most common archetype is of course the hero who usually possesses some extraordinary powers. However, the common man can also become heroic by completing extraordinary tasks.

9. Archetypal Themes In literature, there are not only archetypal characters, but also recurring themes from story to story that are very common In literature, there are not only archetypal characters, but also recurring themes from story to story that are very common Appearance versus Reality: Appearance versus Reality: This theme underlies many works of literature, and usually illustrates the idea that all the hero sees is not as it appears to be. Enemies can appear to be friends, familiar places can be filled with traps, and even the world itself can be an illusion. This theme underlies many works of literature, and usually illustrates the idea that all the hero sees is not as it appears to be. Enemies can appear to be friends, familiar places can be filled with traps, and even the world itself can be an illusion.

10. Good versus Evil: Good versus Evil: This is the most common theme in literature, especially Fantasy literature, where the hero (or heroes) are pitted against the forces of evil, and must win several battles This is the most common theme in literature, especially Fantasy literature, where the hero (or heroes) are pitted against the forces of evil, and must win several battles before facing the arch-enemy before facing the arch-enemy in a final battle to save in a final battle to save the world, his love the world, his love interest, or his very soul. interest, or his very soul.

11. Other Common Themes: True Love Conquers All is a common theme where no matter the obstacles or challenges, a couple will end up being together in the end. True Love Conquers All is a common theme where no matter the obstacles or challenges, a couple will end up being together in the end. Life Always ends in Happily Ever After is a theme common in fairy tales. Similar to above, despite all the problems individuals faces, they are able to overcome issues and face a life of utter happiness. Life Always ends in Happily Ever After is a theme common in fairy tales. Similar to above, despite all the problems individuals faces, they are able to overcome issues and face a life of utter happiness.

12. Death and Rebirth are part of Life is a common archetype as one life is lost, another is created. Death and Rebirth are part of Life is a common archetype as one life is lost, another is created.

13. The Fall describes a descent from a higher to a lower state of being. The experience involves a loss of innocence, and an expulsion from a kind of paradise as penalty for disobedience and moral transgression. The story of Adam and Eve develops this theme. The Fall describes a descent from a higher to a lower state of being. The experience involves a loss of innocence, and an expulsion from a kind of paradise as penalty for disobedience and moral transgression. The story of Adam and Eve develops this theme.

14. Archetypal Symbols Light/Dark Imagery Light/Dark Imagery Light usually represents hope, renewal or intellectual illumination Light usually represents hope, renewal or intellectual illumination Darkness implies the unknown, ignorance, or despair. Darkness implies the unknown, ignorance, or despair. Water/Desert Wastelands Water/Desert Wastelands Water is necessary for life and growth it appears as a birth or rebirth symbol. Water as an element can also be destructive: hurricanes, storms, can signify change or conflict. Water is necessary for life and growth it appears as a birth or rebirth symbol. Water as an element can also be destructive: hurricanes, storms, can signify change or conflict. The Desert is usually seen as sterile, death-like; many heroes pass through wastelands in order to gain enlightenment. The Desert is usually seen as sterile, death-like; many heroes pass through wastelands in order to gain enlightenment. Fire Fire This element can cleanse or destroy; and is usually associated with power. This element can cleanse or destroy; and is usually associated with power.

15. More Common Symbols Heaven/Hell Heaven/Hell These extreme places embody the forces that govern the world and man. Heaven represents the good and the ultimate reward. Hell represent evil and the ultimate punishment in death and darkness. These extreme places embody the forces that govern the world and man. Heaven represents the good and the ultimate reward. Hell represent evil and the ultimate punishment in death and darkness. Swords Swords Swords usually represent strength, dignity, honour and grace. The man who can exert the power of his sword is considered master of a craft. Swords usually represent strength, dignity, honour and grace. The man who can exert the power of his sword is considered master of a craft. ex. King Arthur’s sword Excalibur, sword used in Braveheart to mark the freedom of the Scots, etc. Used from story to story, swords come to represent a variety of ideas, concepts and identities. Used from story to story, swords come to represent a variety of ideas, concepts and identities.

16. Archetypal Settings The Humble Home The Humble Home Often the first setting observed in many adventure stories. It is usually the home of the hero and represents the lower status he starts out with at the beginning of his journey. Often the first setting observed in many adventure stories. It is usually the home of the hero and represents the lower status he starts out with at the beginning of his journey. These places are usually peaceful, natural, bright and sunny, and reflect the purity of the hero through his humble surroundings. These places are usually peaceful, natural, bright and sunny, and reflect the purity of the hero through his humble surroundings. At the end of the story, the hero often returns to his community but as part of his reward, he may relocate to a home of higher status At the end of the story, the hero often returns to his community but as part of his reward, he may relocate to a home of higher status Examples: Kansas in The Wizard of Oz, and the farmhouse in The Princess Bride Examples: Kansas in The Wizard of Oz, and the farmhouse in The Princess Bride

17. Archetypal Settings Fantastic Lands Fantastic Lands These faraway lands are different from the original land where the hero comes from. These faraway lands are different from the original land where the hero comes from. Each place can represent something quite different depending on what stage of the quest the hero is at: a place of rest, evil, an obstacle, danger, paradise Each place can represent something quite different depending on what stage of the quest the hero is at: a place of rest, evil, an obstacle, danger, paradise The hero must pass through these archetypes before he can emerge victorious at the end of the quest. The hero must pass through these archetypes before he can emerge victorious at the end of the quest.