The Models of Our Entertainment and Philosophies What is an Archetype An original model which other things are similarly patterned after They are the basic building blocks of stories that all writers use to create a world to which readers can escape ID: 213325
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Slide1
Archetypes
The Models of Our Entertainment and PhilosophiesSlide2
What is an Archetype?
An original model which other things are similarly patterned afterThey are the basic building blocks of stories that all writers use to create a world to which readers can escape.
An image, story pattern, character type, representation, or recurring ideaSlide3
What should I look for to identify archetypes?
A shared idea with all humanity
An inherited part of the human being that connects us allA constant and universal ideaSlide4
Recognizing Archetypes
______ upon a ______, a _________ on a ________ horse set out on a ___________ to rescue a __________ ___________ from a(n) ______ ______________.
http://www.animationfactory.comSlide5
Recognizing Archetypes
The ____________ has caught the ________.
Decisions between ______ and _______ are not always easy.
http://www.animationfactory.comSlide6
What kinds of Archetypes are there?
There are three main archetypes:
SituationalSymbolic
Character Slide7
Situational Archetypes:
The Task
The Hero must perform some nearly superhuman deed
This is done to save the kingdom, win the girl, or find himselfSlide8
The Task: Example
Only the rightful heir to the throne can complete
the task of pulling the sword from the stone.
Arthur and the StoneSlide9
Situational Archetypes:
The JourneySends the hero on a search for some truth or information
Forces the hero to discover many unpleasant truths
At his lowest point, the hero will return to the world of the living Slide10
The Journey: ExamplesSlide11
Situational Archetypes:
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 Slide12
The Fall: Example
In the Christian faith, Adam and Eve were the first two human creations of God. By choosing to eat the forbidden fruit, the two lost their innocence and fell out of favor with God.
Slide13
Situational Archetypes:
Death & RebirthThe most common of all situational archetypes
Parallels the cycle of nature with the cycle of life
Morning or Spring = Birth, Youth, Rebirth
Evening or Winter = Old Age or Death Slide14
Death and Rebirth: Example
In the Lion King, Scar, the evil uncle, dies and Simba becomes king and has a son.Slide15
Situational Archetype:
Good vs. EvilBattle between two primal forces
Traditionally, good will triumph over evil
Can be found in almost any movie, book, or television show
(protagonist vs. antagonist)Slide16
Good vs. Evil: Example
In Disney’s
The Lion King
, Simba represents good while Scar exemplifies evil. Most cartoons will depict a good vs. evil archetype.Slide17
Situational Archetypes:
The Unhealable Wound
The wound is either physical or psychological and cannot be repaired
Indicates a loss of innocence
Drives the sufferer to extremes Slide18
The Unhealable Wound:
Example
Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader) will never fully recover from his battle wounds. He is forced into a mechanical suit because of his lost limbs and scarring. Slide19
Symbolic Archetypes:
Light vs. DarknessLight suggests hope, renewal, or enlightenment
Darkness implies mystery, ignorance, or despair Slide20
Light vs. Darkness: Examples
The battle of light and darkness will stretch beyond actual light and dark. The good (light) and bad (dark) can be seen through a story’s characters and their actions, such as
Star Wars
.Slide21
Symbolic Archetypes:
Water vs. DesertWater appears as a symbol of fertility and birth
Water may symbolize a spiritual birth or the beginning of something (rebirth)
A Desert typically represents a loss of life, hope, or faithSlide22
Water vs. Desert: Examples
In this movie, water brings about hope for new life and spirituality.
A desert might bring about loss of life, faith, or hope. Slide23
Symbolic Archetypes:
Supernatural InterventionGod or gods intervene in a given situation
The gods will often favor the hero but occasionally they do not.
This is seen throughout Greek Mythology as well as most practiced religionsSlide24
Supernatural Intervention: Examples
(Left) Jesus Christ is woken from sleep and asked to intervene by calming the waters.
In the movie
300
, the gods intervened when “Zeus hurled thunderbolts and rain storms as the enemy ships crashed against the rock.”Slide25
Symbolic Archetypes:
Haven vs. WildernessFor the haven, places of safety are required for time to regain health and supplies
These hideouts are often secluded placesSlide26
Haven vs. Wilderness: Example
Batman often returns to his bat cave in order to regroup and think.Slide27
Symbolic Archetypes:
The Magic Weapon
A symbol of the hero’s extraordinary qualityNo other can use it to its full potential
Traditionally given by a mentorSlide28
The Magic Weapon: Example
In The Sword and the Stone, Arthur pulls the sword from the stone, not because he is stronger than others, but because of his good qualities and righteousness.Slide29
Symbolic Archetypes:
Fire vs. IceTypically, fire represents knowledge, light, life, fertility and (re)birth
Ice will usually represent a deserted place, ignorance, sterility, and deathSlide30
Fire vs. Ice: Example
Fire and Ice constantly battle for life…or death.Slide31
Character Archetypes:
The Hero
Traditionally the protagonist of a storyOften his past is a mystery
He is the champion, king, leader or savior of manyEndures pain and sorrow that all lead to a greater goodSlide32
Character Archetypes:
The InitiateYoung heroes who must endure training
Must complete some type of quest
They are innocent and often wear white
In order to become a Jedi Knight, Luke Skywalker must complete his training (quest).
Slide33
Character Archetypes:
The MentorServe as a teacher or counselor to the initiate or future hero
The mentor is often a role model or father (mother) figure to the initiate or future hero
The Karate Kid’s Mr. Miyagi
Slide34
Character Archetypes:
Hunting Group of Companions
Loyal to the heroGroup willing to face dangers in order to be together
Robin Hood’s Merry Men never abandoned him despite the dangerSlide35
Character Archetypes
: Friendly BeastShows characteristics of the hero
Loyal only to the hero & the hero’s companions
Finds villains threatening and may attempt to warn the hero
In Star Wars Chewbacca, Han Solo’s companion, may look scary…but he’s really just a big, hairy, heroic babySlide36
Character Archetypes:
Evil Figure with Good Heart
A redeemable soul
Saved by the love or faith of a hero
May have started out good, then through a fall becomes evil, but returns to good in the end
Bah! Hum-Bug! In A Christmas Carol Ebenezer Scrooge realizes his faults and finds good in the worldSlide37
Character Archetypes:
The Damsel in Distress
A vulnerable woman who must be rescued by the heroShe is often used as bait to trap the hero
Mary Jane Watson is often being tossed around by villains. Lucky for her Spiderman is her boy-toy!Slide38
Character Archetypes:
TemptressSensuous with beauty
She brings about the hero’s downfall because he is physically attracted to her
From the X-men comics and movies, Jean Grey and Cyclopes fall in love, but she ultimately brings his downfall by turning into the Phoenix and killing himSlide39
Character Archetypes:
OutcastBanished by society or a social group
Destined to become a wanderer
Moves from place to place
Until he learns manners, In Hancock the main character is the outcast of Los Angeles.Slide40
Character Archetypes:
The Devil FigureEvil Incarnate
Offers Worldly GoodsWill tempt, cheat, steal, lie, and destroy anyone who he comes into contact with
In Batman, the Joker kills unintentionally, anyone who crosses his path. He’ll do whatever it takes to get his way, including mind games.