Common Archetypes in Mythololgy

1. Common Archetypes in Mythololgy

2. What is an Archetype? Archetype- (n.) An original model on which similar things are patterned (syn., mold, model, standard, example, ideal) Carl Jung also used the term to refer to “…a universal and recurring image, pattern, or motif representing a typical human experience." It is this that gives archetypes their power--the ability to evoke themes that a vast majority of people can relate to. Character Archetype: standard characters that other characters can be compared to Story Archetype: standard plot type that almost all stories can be categorized by

3. Common Character Archetypes The Hero The Mentor The Everyman The Innocent The Villian

4. The Hero • always the protagonist (though the protagonist is not always a hero) • in traditional literature, the hero is usually a male, but more female heroes appearing • is after some ultimate objective, but encounters and overcomes obstacles along the way to achieving this goal • usually morally good, though that goodness will likely be challenged throughout the story • ability to stay true to themselves despite the trials they face • willingness to sacrifice themselves • is often responsible for saving others

5. The Hero • Mythological examples of the hero include: Hercules, Achilles • Present fictional examples include Harry Potter, Luke Skywalker, Katniss Everdeen, Tris Prior • Other examples?

6. The Mentor • typically represented as a kind and wise, older father/mother-type figure • uses personal knowledge of people and the world to tell stories and offer guidance

7. The Mentor • In mythology, this characteristic is generally given when one of the gods comes to speak to a mortal. • Zeus and Hera are all examples of mentor gods/goddesses in different contexts. • In modern fiction, we see the mentor in characters like Yoda, Haymitch, Dumbledore, and Gandalf • Other examples?

8. The Everyman • a normal person, but must face extraordinary circumstances. • can be the protagonist or a supporting figure • does not feel a moral obligation to his or her task; often find themselves in the middle of something they have barely any control over • Not trying to make a great change or work for the common good- just trying to get through a difficult situation

9. The Innocent • often women or children • pure in every way • surrounded by dark circumstances, do not become jaded by the corruption and evil of others • not stupid: just so morally good that the badness of others cannot seem to mar them • Examples: Primrose Everdeen, Frodo, Tiny Tim

10. The Villian • wants to stop the hero archetype from achieving his or her goal. • often evil, though there is often a reason—however warped that reason may be—why villains are so bad • often want nothing more than to control and have power over everyone and everything around them, probably because most of them are secretly strongly motivated by fear • are often the moral foil of the hero: that is, their main vice will parallel the hero's main virtue (antagonist) • Examples: Voldemort, The Joker, President Snow, Jeanine Matthews

11. Common Story Archetypes Overcoming the Monster Rags to Riches The Quest Voyage and Return Comedy Tragedy Rebirth

12. Overcoming the Monster the hero must destroy the monster to restore balance to the world In the real world this could be overcoming an addiction, debt, beating an illness or any thing else that requires something to be defeated for the hero to win

13. Rags to Riches a modest and moral but downtrodden character achieves a happy ending when their natural talents are displayed to the world at large In the real world this applies to anyone with an undeniably incredible talent who wants to break through and be successful

14. The Quest The hero, often accompanied by sidekicks, travels to save the world or some other noble pursuit Often "Quest" stories make our hero(s) encounter a variety of challenges that are all seemingly unrelated

15. Voyage and Return Stories of normal protagonists who are suddenly thrust into strange and alien worlds and must make their way back to normal life once more

16. Comedy a type of dramatic work that is amusing and satirical in its tone, mostly having cheerful ending triumph over unpleasant circumstance by which to create comic effects, resulting in happy or successful conclusion

17. Tragedy a drama that presents a serious subject matter about human suffering and corresponding terrible events in a dignified manner

18. Rebirth almost always has a threatening shadow that seems nearly victorious until a sequence of fortuitous (or even miraculous) events lead to redemption and rebirth, and the restoration of a happier world