Archetypes:
Recognizing Patterns in
Literature
Bellwork – January 17th:
Please write your answers on a sheet of paper.
1. What is an archetype? Write your own definition.
2. BRAINSTORM! Write down (a) what each character
archetype might add to a story, and (b) an example of
each one from either a piece of literature or a movie.
- The loyal friend
- The hero
- The devil
- The mentor
- The scapegoat
- The outcast
Once upon a time, there was a
man named Carl Jung
- Pronounced “young”
- Swiss psychiatrist
- Studied dreams, personalities,
and religious connections
What he figured out:
- People all over the world have the same dreams and
stories
- We have a “collective unconscious” from birth
- The collective unconscious comes out in the form of
archetypes in our stories
What is an archetype?
• A pattern repeated through the
ages in folk and literary
expressions. An original model
on which something is
patterned.
• Jung discovered that all
humans share certain
unconscious, INSTINCTUAL
ideas, dreams, and notions.
When these ideas come out in
images or in literature, we call
them archetypes.
What is an archetype?
Think of an archetype as
being the first model or
prototype of something.
The Model T was the first
prototype of the modern
automobile.
In literature, the same type
of characters, situations,
and symbols have been
modeled for many years in
different types of stories.
So what does this mean?
• According to Jung, archetypes are a
result of a Universal
Unconsciousness, and because of
this, Universal Patterns begin to
surface in art.
• We all share a “collective
unconscious” or a subconscious
mental record of all common human
experience.
• Archetypes are universal themes that
express our “collective unconscious”.
This shared collective unconscious is
why so many stories, tales, epics, and
parables share SIMILAR characters,
symbols, themes, and stages of plot
development; even literature written
in different parts of the world, in
different CULTURES and at different
times in HISTORY!
Example:
“The Warrior”
Archetype Redefined:
An archetype is a recurring pattern of
characters, situations, or symbols existing
universally and instinctively in man’s
unconscious.
Archetype Brainstorm
• Many of the patterns in modern books and movies are
taken from archetypes.
• Think about the recurring patterns in the books you’ve read
and the movies you’ve seen.
Can you think of any modern books or movies that follow
the recurring patterns of characters, situations, or symbols
that are found in the following Shakespeare plays?
1. Hamlet
2. Romeo and Juliet
3. Julius Caesar
4. Othello
Write your examples with their recurring plot patterns on
your bellwork paper.
Archetype Brainstorm
Can you think of any modern books or movies that follow
the recurring patterns of characters, situations, or symbols
that are found in the following Shakespeare plays?
1. Hamlet
• Basic themes: mystery of death, revenge, justice
• Example: Disney’s The Lion King
2. Romeo and Juliet
• Basic themes: star-crossed lovers, passion, death
• Example: Titanic, West Side Story
3. Julius Caesar
• Basic themes: ambition, conspiracy, betrayal, death
• Example: Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
4. Othello
• Basic themes: race/different culture, love, revenge, death
• Example: Disney’s Pocahontas, ‘O’
Character Archetypes:
Activity:
Watch the following video on the Hero Archetype:
http://ed.ted.com/lessons/what-makes-a-hero-matthew-winkler
1. As you watch, think about the novels you have
read over your lifetime.
2. When the video ends, write down an example
of a hero archetype from a novel/play/story
that you have read, and include the
characteristics that made them heroic.
3. When prompted, discuss your examples with
your group.
Characteristics of a Hero/Heroine:
• Mysterious birth
• Leaves family
• Experiences a traumatic event
• Loses favor
• Wields a special weapon or power
• Has supernatural help
• Proves himself/herself
• Is often reborn in some way
• Realizes that they “have the power all along”
A Hero does not need to have ALL of these characteristics.
12 Steps in a Hero’s Journey:
12 Steps in a Hero’s Journey:
Status Quo
1. Call to adventure
2. Assistance
3. Departure
4. Trials
5. Approach
6. Crisis
7. Treasure
8. Result
9. Return
10. New life
11. Resolution
12. Back to status quo
Reflection:
How can the complexity of human nature be
understood by examining the recurring patterns of
archetypes? Why is that important when analyzing
literature?
Think about these questions, then write a short
paragraph answer. Be ready to discuss your thoughts.
Activity:
• In your groups, think of a book or
movie that follows the hero’s
journey.
• Using your bellwork papers, write
out all 12 steps of your chosen hero.
• Once your group is finished
brainstorming, you must draw your
hero’s cycle and write your
explanations on the giant post-it.
• Each group member should
complete at least one portion of the
cycle. More than one person should
be writing on the chart paper in
order to save time.
Status Quo
1. Call to adventure
2. Assistance
3. Departure
4. Trials
5. Approach
6. Crisis
7. Treasure
8. Result
9. Return
10. New life
11. Resolution
12. Back to status quo
Homework!
Complete the Archetypes handout.
• Research and fill in the universally accepted
description, definition, and/or story related to
each archetype.
• Please fill in all the sections: characters,
situations, and symbols.
Due date:
Periods 1, 3, 5: Thursday, January 19th
Periods 2, 4, 6: Friday, January 20th
More Archetypes:
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THE VILLAIN
• Cruel, malicious, wicked
• Has human-like
motivations
• Responsible for conflict
• Represents evil from the
real world
• Cunning, mad, evil
More Archetypes:
More Archetypes: