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ARCHETYPES. Archetypes are instinctive patterns recur in art across cultures recur in art across time Today, archetype means original model or pattern. Archetypes. Figures or patterns that recur in works of art from generation to generation. Timeless and Universal!.
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Archetypes • are instinctive patterns • recur in art across cultures • recur in art across time • Today, archetype means original model or pattern
Archetypes • Figures or patterns that recur in works of art from generation to generation. • Timeless and Universal!
SIGN • A word or physical sign which represents one object. • initials: U.S.A., CIA, ECA • traffic signs • trademarks: “Just do it,”“I’m lovin’ it.” • A sign is meaningless in itself; it gains meaning through use.
Symbol • An object that stands for something else. Can be a letter, a character, or a sign. • the American flag • a police badge • the Greek letter delta • These objects are specific • to a culture, a community, some • times a specific novel.
We can put the snake in a time and space machine and send it to ANYWHERE or ANYWHEN—ideally—and most people would agree on what that snake means or represents.
This is a two-dimensional joke: Snakes have no legs to kick with, or opposable thumbs with which to attach a sign. Snakes are EVIL!
The Rainbow Snake Aido-Hwedo QUETZLCOATL is in charge of the primal waters where all life was created.
The Seven-Headed Serpent Lotan from Canaanite myths, which served as a symbol of the seven deadly sins.
Shesha, the world serpent In Hindu mythology, Shesha spews fire to destroy all creation
Apep, the chaos serpent At first, Apep was the Egyptian Sun god. When he was replaced by Ra, he became very angry. Apep became a symbol of evil.
Jormungandr (Norse) will eventually bring about Ragnarok (the end of the world)
Where can we find archetypes? • Mythology • Literature • Art • Religion • Movies • Comic Books • Songs
Three types of archetypes are. . . • archetypal plots • archetypal characters • archetypal symbols
PLOTSCosmogony (Creation story)Tragedy (The hero dies)Comedy (The hero marries)Monomyth of Initiation (Hero’s Journey)
Anything that suggests that dark is bad and light is good can be dangerous in the wrong hands, and it does not represent all cultures.
Be careful when looking at art, literature, film . . .LIFEthrough an archetypal lens.
Notice that the hero is assumed to be male because one of his many “trials” is overcoming a temptress.
THE ARCHETYPAL MAN HERO • Young, handsome, muscular, courageous • Mysterious or divine birth • Strong (sometimes beyond normal men) • Neither a fool nor perfect • Usually follows the hero cycle
Archetype of the Hero Willing to sacrifice on behalf of others Flawed Types: Willing, unwilling, antihero, group oriented, loner, catalyst, and tragic
MENTOR/Wise Old Man Older than hero Spiritual and moral Intelligent Sometimes has special powers Guide or instructor for the hero Often a former hero
The Shadow -Represents energy of the dark side -The mask that can be worn by any character -Gives the hero a worthy struggle
One type of Shadow-- The Villain:Physical appearance variesAge variesAdversary for the hero and/or heroine
The ultimate Shadow:THE DEVIL • Usually offers a trade or exchange • Manipulative and deceptive • Often physically attractive and well-dressed
Satan is . . . Al Pacino in The Devil’s Advocate
THE TRICKSTER He is a god; yet he is not. He is the wise-fool. He rebels against authority, pokes fun at the overly serious, creates convoluted schemes—that may or may not work—and is sometimes his own worst enemy. He exists to question, to cause us to question, and not to accept things blindly.
