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Character Archetypes
Ms. Haen
Honors English 9
What is an “archetype”?
Arche = first, original
Typos = form or model
defined as a pattern from which copies can be made
a result of collective unconsciousness
this collective unconscious is not directly knowable and
is a product of the shared experiences of our ancestors.
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What makes an archetype?
Carl Jung believed that archetypes are…
◦ Primordial: individuals have these archetypal
images ingrained in our understanding even before
we are born.
◦ Universal: archetypes can be found all over the
world and throughout history; the manifestation
of the idea may be different, but the idea itself is
the same.
Archetypes manifest themselves in people,
situations, and symbols.
Things to remember…
Archetypes are similar to instincts and they
reveal themselves to our consciousness by
powerful symbolic images.
Archetypes can bring people under their
spell – they have a vitalizing force when
people allow themselves to experience
them.
Archetypes are collective as they are held in
common by a social group.
Archetypes appear simple on the surface,
but are complex.
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Dudes in Archetypal Studies
Carl Jung- psychiatrist who first explored
this “collective consciousness”
Joseph Campbell- mythologist/
anthropologist that applied the idea of
archetypes to tangible ideas
Northrop Frye- literary critic that argued
that archetypes model literature and
teaching students to recognize them will
help develop understanding of the world
Hero Archetype
One who is challenged physically, mentally,
or morally to achieve a goal– typically the
protagonist
Comes in many different forms (bad boy,
chief, savior, warrior, etc.)
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Scapegoat Archetype
One who “takes blame” or makes a
sacrifice, typically to save hero
Takes the blame for everything
Outcast Archetype
A loner/wanderer
Cast out from society for crimes
committed (real or imagined) against the
community– this can be voluntary
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Devil Figure Archetype
Typically associated with dark/gloomy
images– seen as the evil incarnate
May offer worldly goods, fame, or
knowledge to the protagonist in exchange
for possession of the soul or integrity
Woman Figures
There are many archetypes that females
embody, including the hero
Here are a few of the typically “female”
roles
◦ Mother Figure provides motivation and
support
◦ Damsel in Distress Figure needs to be
rescued by the hero– often used as a trap
to ensnare the unsuspecting hero
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Women Figures, cont.
◦ Temptress Figure who distracts the hero from
his journey, may cause downfall of hero
◦ Platonic Ideal Figure who is a source of
inspiration to the hero– an intellectual rather
than physical attraction
Archetypal Situations
The Quest–a search for someone or
something of great power or importance
The Task– hero must perform some
nearly superhuman deed; done to save
kingdom, win the “girl”, or find him or
herself
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Archetypal Situations
The Initiation– a moment, usually
psychological, in which an individual
comes into maturity; gains a new
awareness into the nature of
circumstances and problems and
understands his or her responsibility for
trying to resolve the dilemma
Archetypal Situations
The Journey– sends the hero on a search
for some truth or information; forces the
hero to discover many unpleasant truths
The Fall– shows a descent from a higher
to lower state of being; represents a loss
of innocence; usually comes with some
type of expulsion as a result of
disobedience
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Archetypal Situations
Death/Rebirth– refers to those situations
in which someone or something, concrete
and/or abstract dies, yet is accompanied
by some sign of birth or rebirth; mimics
the circle of life
◦ Hero is honored as he/she comes back “to
life”
◦ The return isn’t always physical– it can be in
the form of memory
Archetypal Symbols
Light and Darkness
◦ Light usually represents hope, renewal or
intellectual illumination
◦ Darkness implies the unknown, ignorance, or
despair.
Water and Desert
o
o
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, deathlike; many heroes pass through wastelands
in order to gain enlightenment.
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Archetypal Symbols
Heaven and Hell
◦ Places not easily accessible by man are
regarded as the dwelling places of either the
gods or demons
◦ The skies, clouds, or mountains house the
gods
◦ Canyons, caves, and the inner earth play home
to the evil forces of the world.
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