Archetypes Archetype universal symbols images characters motifs or

Archetypes • Archetype: universal symbols – images, characters, motifs, or patterns, that recur in myths, art, and literature throughout the world • a typical character, an action or a situation that seems to represent such universal patterns of human nature • Ex. : Hero archetype, villain archetype, underdog archetype

Motif • a motif can be seen as an image, sound, action or other figures that have a symbolic significance and contributes toward the development of theme. Motif vs. Theme: Motifs help develop or explain a theme, while theme itself is a central message to novel. Theme: Sacrifice is necessary for a revolution Motif: Imprisonment Motif vs. Symbol: Motifs reoccur throughout a novel, and may be represented through different individual symbols. Motifs also contribute directly to theme while symbols do not necessarily. Ex: Symbols for life, different than the motif of life.

Motif vs. Symbol: Motifs reoccur throughout a novel, and may be represented through different individual symbols. Ex: Symbols for life, different than the motif of life.

Foil • a foil is a character who contrasts with another character (usually the protagonist) in order to highlight particular qualities of the other character. • They usually contrast with the protagonist in a way that highlights important character traits • In Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo is contrasted to his father, Unoko.

Irony: Situational, Dramatic, and Verbal • Situational: Occurs when an event contradicts the expectations of the characters or the reader • Dramatic: a form of irony in which the reader or audience knows more about the circumstances or future events than the characters within the scene • Verbal: Occurs when a speaker or narrator says one thing while meaning the opposite

Hamartia • Also know as the “tragic flaw, ” hamartia is the personal error in a protagonist’s personality that brings about her/his tragic downfall in a tragedy. • Ex: Hamlet’s hamartia is his indecisiveness. He cannot make up his mind about the dilemmas he confronts. • Hubris: Excessive pride or ego.