The Power of Archetypes

1. Archetypes

2. What is an archetype? • An archetype is the original pattern or model • Archetypes can be applied to an image, a theme, a symbol, an idea, a character type, or a plot pattern. • Archetypes can be expressed in myths, dreams, literature, religions, fantasies, and folklore.

3. Character Archetypes • Character archetypes are recurring characters that you have probably seen in different books and movies.

4. Examples of Character Archetypes • The Hero • The Scapegoat • The Wise Counselor/Mentor • The Supernatural Guide • The Companions • The Villain/Evil Figure • The Damsel in Distress • The Temptress • The Soul mate • The Good Mother • The Bad Mother • The Hero in Disguise

5. The Hero • “A hero is any male or female who leaves the world of his or her everyday life to undergo a journey to a special world where challenges and fears are overcome in order to secure a quest, which is then shared with other members of the hero’s community” (Campbell). • Qualities: individualistic, intellectual, independent, unhappy with the status quo, assertive • Male Examples: Simba, The Lion King; Aladdin; Aladdin; Harry, Harry Potter • Female Examples: Dorothy, Wizard of Oz; Mulan, Mulan; Ariel, The Little Mermaid

6. The Scapegoat • A scapegoat is a person or group who takes all the blame or suffers in place of another. • Qualities: considered an outsider or criminal, restless traveler, is alone, may be associated with sorcery or black magic • Example: Wile E Coyote

7. The Wise Counselor/Mentor • The Mentor is a wise or holy figure who guides the hero in his/her journey. • Can appear as an oracle, a mentor, a guide, a teacher, or a wise old man/woman. • Qualities: usually an older person, possesses insight beyond that of ordinary people, helps the hero see the world objectively • Examples: Dumbledore, Harry Potter; Rafiki, The Lion King; Yoda, Star Wars

8. The Supernatural Guide • “The hero is covertly aided by the advice, amulets, and secret agents of the supernatural helper whom he met before his entrance into this region. Or it may be that he here discovers for the first time that there is a benign power everywhere supporting him in his superhuman passage” (Campbell). • Example: Simba sees his father in the sky and receives advice so that he may continue with his journey.

9. The Companion • Companions are friends or allies who show faithful and loyal support to the hero throughout the journey. • Qualities: faithful, loyal, unselfish • Examples: Timon and Pumba, The Lion King; Ron and Hermoine, Harry Potter; Sebastian and Flounder, The Little Mermaid

10. The Villain/Evil Figure • “A cruelly malicious person who is involved in or devoted to wickedness or crime; or a person who constitutes an important evil agency in the plot” (Campbell). • The Villain is the person who is capable of crime or wickedness. He/she is also the opponent with whom the hero must struggle. • Qualities: represents things we don’t like and would like to eliminate, negative forces, cunning • Examples: Wicked Witch of the West, Wizard of Oz; Lord Voldemort, Harry Potter; Scar, The Lion King

11. The Damsel in Distress • The Damsel in Distress is a vulnerable woman who needs to be rescued by the hero. • She is often used as a trap to ensnare the unsuspecting hero. • Examples: Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty

12. The Temptress • “Lured man on until her sensuous beauty had fully captured and weakened him. [The temptress] is sometimes seen as representing an alien culture or the unknown” (Burrows). • The Temptress is someone whom the hero is physically attracted to and who ultimately brings about his downfall. • Qualities: almost always a woman, physically beautiful, tries to tempt the hero in order to get him off course • Examples: Helen of Troy, Sirens

13. The Soul Mate • The Soul Mate is a person with whom one has a strong affinity, shared values, and tastes, and often a romantic bond. • The incarnation of inspiration and spiritual fulfillment. • Qualities: often a prince or princess, very beautiful or handsome • Examples: Prince Charming; Jasmine, Aladdin; Nala, The Lion King

14. The Good Mother • The Good Mother is the positive representation of the personal mother, grandmother, nurses, surrogate mother, goddess, etc. • Qualities: life-giving, magic authority, wisdom, spirituality, fertility, fosters growth • Examples: Fairy Godmother, Cinderella; Glinda the Good Witch, The Wizard of Oz

15. The Evil Mother • The Evil Mother is the negative representation of the personal mother, grandmother, step-mother, mother-in-law, goddess, etc. • Qualities: secret, hidden, dark, is terrifying and inescapable due to fate, often portrayed as witches • Examples: Queen/Witch, Snow White; Evil Step-mother, Cinderella; Ursula, The Little Mermaid

16. The Hero in Disguise • The Hero in Disguise occurs when the hero either cannot reveal his identity yet, or must disguise himself in order to complete a task. • Example: When Luke Skywalker dresses as a Storm Trooper in order to get past the guards and save Princess Leia