Archetypes The Archetypal Hero What Do Luke Skywalker

Archetypes & The Archetypal Hero

What Do Luke Skywalker, Simba, King Arthur, Moses, Katniss Everdeen, Harry Potter all have in common?

ANSWER: They are all Archetypal Heroes

But what is an Archetype?

Archetype: A recurring pattern of images, situations, or symbols found in the mythology, religion, art, and dreams of cultures around the world.

Character Archetypes The Initiate • Young heroes or heroines who, prior to their quest, must endure some training and ceremony • They are usually innocent and often wear white • example: Young King Arthur, Daniel in The Karate Kid, Luke Skywalker The Scapegoat • An animal or human who dies, usually to wipe out a sin that has been visited upon a community • This death makes that entity a more powerful force in the society that it lived • example: Obi Wan Kenobi, Gandalf, Aslan

Character Archetypes The Villain/Monster • a cruelly malicious person who is involved in or devoted to wickedness or crime • example: Voldemort, Lex Luther The Outcast • a figure who is banished from a social group for some crime against his fellow man • he/she is usually destined to become a wanderer • example: Gollum, Quasimodo in Hunchback of Notre Dame

Character Archetypes The Great Teacher/Mentor • wise old man who represents knowledge, wisdom, spirituality of soul, insight and protects or helps the main character when he or she faces challenges • example: Merlin, Dumbledore The Loyal Retainer (“Sidekicks”) • The Retainer's duty is to reflect the nobility and power of the hero • example: Ron & Hermoine, Robin Hood’s Merry Men

Situational Archetypes The Quest • The search for someone or some object (talisman) which, when found and brought back, will restore fertility and life to a wasted land • The desolation of the land mirrors the leader’s illness and disability • example: The Holy Grail, The Lion King The Fall • A descent from a higher to a lower state of being, involving loss of innocence • example: Adam & Eve, Lancelot & Guinevere

Situational Archetypes Death and Rebirth • The parallel between the cycle of nature and the cycle of life • Morning and springtime represent birth, youth, or rebirth • Evening and winter suggest old age and death • Most common of all situational archetypes? • example: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe Battle between Good and Evil • Battle between two primal forces • Mankind shows eternal optimism in the continual portrayal of good triumphing over evil despite the odds • example: Sauron vs. Middle Earth, Harry Potter vs. Voldemort

Okay, so what exactly characterizes an Archetypal Hero then? –And what does this have to do with the characters mentioned?

Traits of the Archetypal Hero • Unusual Circumstances of Birth • Leaves Family and Lives With Others • Traumatic Event Leads to Quest • Special Weapon • Supernatural Help

Unusual Birth Often in danger or born into royalty…

Leaves Family Raised away from… -or separated from home

Traumatic Event The hero’s life is changed forever…

Special Weapon Only the hero can wield it…

Supernatural Help -The hero often has spiritual guidance

More Traits of the Archetypal Hero • Proves self on Quest • Journey and Unhealable Wound • Atonement With Father • Spiritual Apotheosis

Proves Him or Herself The hero performs heroic feats…

Journey & Unhealable Wound Hero descends into a helllike area and suffers wounding from an encounter with evil

Atonement With Father The hero either redeems father’s evil deeds or reconciles with father over wrongs done by the hero

Apotheosis Hero is rewarded spiritually at the end of his, or her life

Aha! –But not all of these characters have all of the characteristics!

That’s okay. -They don’t really have to… As long as a hero displays several of these characteristics, he, or she, is in the club!

References Davis, Bryan M. "The Archetypal Hero in Literature, Religion, Movies, and Popular Culture. " 11 Oct 1997. Stephen F. Austin University. (07/07/2009). <http: //www. tatsbox. com/hero? Nilsen, Alleen P. , & Donelson, Kenneth L. Literature for Today’s Young Adults, 8 th ed. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc. 2009.