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Jane Doe
Dr. Musil
Writing Concepts
28 April 2014
Character Archetypes (10)
Character Archetype #1 (Bold and left justified)
(Indent) Define the archetype first. Follow this with how the movie you’ve selected
illustrates this archetype. Include the title of the movie and enough information the clearly
explain the relationship between the movie and the archetype. I’ve used Star Wars: A New Hope
as an example for each of the three categories. Please remember to use different movies in each
category.
Commented [MB1]: Character Example #1
Hero
The Hero is a protagonist whose life is a series of well-marked adventures. The
circumstances of his birth are unusual, and he is raised by a guardian. He will have to leave his
kingdom, only to return to it upon reaching manhood. Characterized by courage, strength, and
honor, the hero will endure hardship, even risk his life for the good of all. Leaves the familiar to
enter an unfamiliar and challenging world. In Star Wars: A New Hope, the hero is Luke
Commented [MB2]: First, define the archetype.
Skywalker. He knows little about his father. He endures separation and after his relatives are
killed – a great price to pay. Luke leaves his planet and ventures to space. He gains wisdom
through Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi and through the battles he fights. We see Luke change from a boy
to a confident young adult. This culminates in the end when Luke trusts the force and blows up
Commented [MB3]: Next, tell me how the movie
illustrates this archetype.
the Death Star.
Situational Archetypes (5)
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Death and Rebirth
The most common of all situational archetypes, this motif grows out of the parallel
between the cycle of nature and the cycle of life. Thus, morning and springtime represent birth,
youth, or rebirth; evening and winter suggest old age or death. In Star Wars: A New Hope, Obi
Wan Kenobi, a Jedi knight, experiences a physical death at the hands of the evil Darth Vader, a
former Jedi knight who has turned to the dark side. Obi Wan Kenobi then joins the Force, a
metaphysical energy field, and becomes more powerful than before. He continues to serve as the
hero’s mentor, but in a more effective way as part of the Force.
Symbolic Archetypes (5)
Magic Weapon
This symbolizes the extraordinary quality of the hero because no one else can wield the
weapon or use it to its full potential. It is usually given by a mentor figure. In Star Wars: A New
Hope, Obi Wan Kenobi, a Jedi Knight, meets the teenage Luke Skywalker, who becomes the
hero of the movie. Obi Wan gives to Luke the light saber which belonged to his father, a Jedi
knight. Obi Wan helps teach Luke how to use the light saber, and more importantly, how to use
the Force, which is a metaphysical energy field.
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Works Cited
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. Dir. Lucas, George. Twentieth Century Fox, 1977. DVD.
(See how to create your Works Cited on the next page.)
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Works Cited
Here is the format for your works cited entries:
Films or Movies
List films (in theaters or not yet on DVD or video) by their title. Include the name of the director, the film
studio or distributor, and the release year. If relevant, list performer names after the director’s name. Use
the abbreviation perf. to head the list. List film as the medium of publication. To cite a DVD or other
video recording, see “Recorded Films and Movies” below.
Ed Wood. Dir. Tim Burton. Perf. Johnny Depp, Martin Landau, Sarah Jessica Parker, and
Patricia Arquette. Touchstone, 1994. DVD.
Finding Neverland. Dir. Marc Forster. Perf. Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Julie Christie, Radha
Mitchell, and Dustin Hoffman. Miramax, 2004. DVD.
The Lion King. Dir. Roger Allers. Perf. Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Matthew Broderick, and James
Earl Jones. Disney, 1994. DVD.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Dir. Peter Jackson. Perf. Ian McKellen, Elijah
Wood, and Orlando Bloom. New Line Cinema, 2003. DVD.
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. Dir. Lucas, George. Twentieth Century Fox, 1977. DVD.
The Usual Suspects. Dir. Bryan Singer. Perf. Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri,
Stephen Baldwin, and Benecio del Toro. Polygram, 1995. Film.