Archetype A pattern model or image that recurs

Archetype A pattern, model, or image that recurs consistently enough in life and literature to be considered universal.

The Innocent • • Spontaneous Trusting A bit dependant Optimistic

Regular Guy/Gal • Unpretentious • Expects very little from life • Teaches reader empathy, realism, street smarts

8 types of The heroes • • Heroic qualities: Saves the day Tough Courageous Sets and achieves goals Overcomes obstacles Persists in difficult times Sees “enemies” he must conquer

1. The Chief • Quintessential alpha hero • Born to lead • Tough • Decisive • Goal-oriented • May be overbearing and inflexible

2. The Bad Boy • Rebel from the wrong side of the tracks • Bitter & volatile • Crushed idealist • Charismatic & street savvy • Hates authority • Prevalent in western historicals • the perfect outlaw • James Dean in everything

3. The Best Friend • Beta hero • Kind, responsible, decent, Mr. Nice Guy • Non- confrontational, doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings • Tom Hanks • Bill Pullman in While you were Sleeping • Jimmy Stewart in It’s a wonderful life • Even villains don’t really want to harm them

4. The Charmer • Fun, irresistible, smooth operator • Not too responsible or dependable • Doesn’t commit to women • Ferris Mueller • Cary Grant

5. The Lost Soul • Tortured secretive, brooding, unforgiving • Vulnerable, loner, wanderer or outcast • Hamlet • Heathcliffe in Wuthering Heights • Nicholas Cage in Moonstruck

6. The Professor • • • Logical Introverted Inflexible Honest Faithful

7. The Swashbuckler • • • Action, action!!! Physical and daring Fearless Daredevil Explorer

8. The Warrior • Reluctant rescuer or knight in shining armor • Noble, tenacious, relentless • Sticks up for the underdog • Most superheroes

Female Heroines

1. The Boss • “Take charge” female • Accepts nothing but respect • Reaching her goal in life is paramount

2. The Survivor • Mysterious and manipulative • Cynicism guides her every action • Tough sense of survival

3. The Spunky Kid • Favorite of many writers • Has moxi • Not looking to be at the top, but to carve her only little niche • Team player • Ready to lend a hand • Lots of friends

4. The Free Spirit • Playful and fun loving • Original, acts on whims and follows her heart, • Might be on the ditzy side • Well intentioned, but may leave a trail of victims from her good deeds

5. The Waif • Original damsel in distress • Star of most Disney movies • Requires rescue • Child-like innocence

6. The Librarian • Prim & proper on the outside, passionate on the inside • Leads with her brain- not her body • Thinks she has all the answers, • Can be a bit stubborn

7. The Crusader • Thoroughly modern • On a mission-if you’re not part of the solution, then you’re part of the problem

8. The Nurturer • Takes care of everyone • Wonderful listener, serene, capable , optimistic • Mary Poppins-like

More archetypes

The Caregiver/ Altruist • Moved by compassion, generosity, • Selfless • Prone to martyrdom • & enabling behaviors

The Explorer/Seeker/Wanderer • Seeks to discover the unknown • Often oppositional • Helps readers to discover our uniqueness, perspectives, & oucallings

The Outlaw/Destroyer • Has repressed rage against society or codes/rules that no longer serve • Ruthless • Helps readers “weed the garden” for more growth

The Ruler • Inspires readers to take responsibilities for their own lives

The Magician Searches out the fundamental laws of science and/or metaphysics to understand how to: • transform situations • influence people • Turn visions into realities Must overcome temptation to use power manipulatively

The Sage • Seeks the truths that will set us free • Must overcome temptation of dogma • Helps readers to see the world and ourselves objectively

The Jester • Enjoys life • Prone to laziness • Shows reader how to turn our work & interactions into fun

The Trickster Prevalent in most mythologies! • • Puck coyote

The Lover Different types of love: • Parental • Platonic • Spiritual • Romantic Helps reader to experience pleasure, achieve intimacy, make commitments and follow their bliss.

Common Female Archetypes • Earth mother • Symbolic of spiritual and emotional nourishment • Usually wearing earth colors • Usually is full figured (represents fertility)

The Temptress • Sensuous in beauty • Brings about downfallof hero

The Platonic Ideal Inspiring woman for whom the protagonist has an intellectual rather than a physical attraction

A few other archetypes • Wicked step mother • Drunk guy/gal • Rich, spoiled girl/guy • The hick • Girl next door • The buffoon • Rags to riches • Bratty kid • Frumpy housewife • Party girl • Typical ( insert: race, age, ethnicity, religious affiliation, career, sport, hobbyist here)

Archetypes • Psychoanalyst Carl Jung theorized that: • specific ideas, actions, & images arose out of early experiences of the human race • And were passed along through the collective unconscious of mankind. • And therefore, are present in the subconscious of every individual. • Archetypes emerge in the imagery of dreams, myths, and literature. • Some archetypes are used so frequently in literary genres that they become conventions.

Don’t confuse archetypes with stereotypes. Stereotypes are: • Clichéd/predictable • Allows no character growth/development

“Any archetype can do anything – the question will always be why. ”

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