ELA 10 Archetypes

Hero as a warrior (Odysseus)

a near god-like hero faces physical challenges and external enemies

hero as lover (Prince Charming)

a pure love motivate hero to complete his quest

hero as scapegoat (Jesus)

hero suffers for the sake of others

transcendent hero

the hero of tragedy whose fatal flaw brings about his downfall, but not without achieving some kind of transforming realization or wisdom (Greek and Shakespearean tragedies-Oedipus, Hamlet, Macbeth, etc.)

Romantic/Gothic hero

Hero/lover with a decidedly dark side (Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre)

Proto-Feminist Hero:

Female heroes (The Awakening by Kate Chopin)

Apocalyptic Hero

Hero who faces the possible destruction of society

Anti-hero

Opposer of society’s definition of heroism/goodness (Homer Simpson)

Defiant Anti-hero

opposer of society’s definition of heroism/goodness. (Heart of Darkness)

Unbalanced hero

the protagonist who has (or must pretend to have) mental or emotional deficiencies (Hamlet. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest)

The Other-Denied Hero

The protagonist whose status or essential otherness makes heroism possible (Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, The Jay Luck Club by Amy Tan)

The Superheroic

Exaggerates the normal proportions of humanity; frequently has divine or supernatural origins. In some sense, the superhero is one apart, someone who does not quite belong, but who is nonetheless needed by society)

The Tyrant

the bullying despot, he wants power at any price. He ruthlessly conquers all he surveys, crushing his enemies beneath his feet. People are pawns to him, and he holds all the power pieces. Hesitate before getting in this man’s way - he’ll think nothing of destroying you

The Bastard

the dispossessed son, he burns with resentment. He can’t have what he wants, so he lashes out to hurt those around him. His deeds are often for effect - he wants to provoke action in others. He proudly announces his rebellious dealings. Don’t be fooled by his boyish demeanor - he’s a bundle of hate

The Devil

the charming friend, he gives people what he thinks they deserve. Charisma allows him to lure his victims to their own destruction. His ability to discover the moral weaknesses in others serves him well. Close your ears to cajolery - he’ll tempt you to disaster

The traitor

the double agent, he betrays those who trust him most. No one suspects the evil that lurks his heart. Despite supportive smiles and sympathetic ears, he plots the destruction of his friends. Never turn your back on him - he means you harm

The Outcast

the lonely outsider, he wants desperately to belong. Tortured and unforgiving, he has been set off from others, and usually for good cause. He craves redemption, but is willing to gain it by sacrificing others. Waste no sympathy on him - he’ll have none for you

The evil genius

the malevolent mastermind, he loves to show off his superior intelligence. Intellectual inferiors are contemptible to him and that includes just about everyone. Elaborate puzzles and experiments are his trademark. Don’t let him pull your strings - the game is always rigged in his favor

The Sadist

the savage predator, he enjoys cruelty for its own sake. Violence and psychological brutality are games to this man; and he plays those games with daring and skill. Run, don’t walk away from this man - he’ll hear out your heart and laugh while doing it

The Terrorist

the dark knight, he serves a warped code of honor. Self-righteous, he believes in his own virtue, and judges all around him by a strict set of laws. The end will always justify his nefarious means, and no conventional morality will give him pause. Don’t try to appeal his sense of justice - his does not resemble yours.

The B*tch

the abusive autocrat, she lives, cheats, and steals her way to the top. Her climb to success has left many a heel mark on the backs of others. She doesn’t care about the peons around her - only the achievement of her dreams matters. Forget expecting a helping hand from her - she doesn’t help anyone but herself

The Black Widow

the beguiling siren, she lures victims into her web. She goes after anyone who has something she wants, and she wants a lot. But she does her best to make the victim want to be deceived. An expert at seduction of every variety, she uses her charms to get her way. Don’t be fooled by her claims of love - it’s all a lie.

The Backstabber

the two-faced friend, she delights in duping the unsuspecting. Her sympathetic smiles enable her to learn her victim’s secrets, which she then uses to feather her nest. Her seemingly helpful advice is just the thing to hinder. Put no faither in her - she’ll betray you every time

The Lunatic

the unbalanced madwoman, she draws others into her crazy environment. The drum to which she marches misses many a beat, but to her, it is the rest of the world that is out of step. Don’t even try to understand her logic - she in unfathomable

The Parasite

the poisonous vine, she collaborates for her own comfort. She goes along with any atrocity, so long as her own security is assured. She sees herself as a victim who had no choice, and blames others for her crimes. Expect no mercy from her - she won’t lift a finger to save anyone but herself

The Schemer

the lethal plotter, she devises the ruin of others. Like a cat with a mouse, she plays with lives. Elaborate plans, intricate schemes; nothing pleases her more than to trap the unwary. Watch out for her complex designs - she means you no good

The Fanatic

the uncompromising extremist, she does wrong in the name of good. She justifies her action by her intent, and merely shrugs her shoulders at collateral damage. Anyone not an ally is an enemy, and therefore, fair game. Give up any hope of showing her the error of her ways - she firmly believes you are wrong, wrong, wrong

the matriarch

the motherly oppressor, she smothers her loved ones. She knows what’s best and will do all in her power to control the lives of those who surround her - all for their own good. A classic enabler, she sees no fault with her darlings, unless they don’t follow her dictates. Don’t be lured into her family nest - you’ll never get out alive

The Boss

a real go-getter, she climbs the ladder of success. This is a “take charge” female, who accepts nothing but respect. Reaching her goal post, the most important thing in life to her, she isn’t bothered by a few ruffled feathers along the way

The Seductress

an enchantress, she gets her way. This is a lady who is long accustomed to sizing up everyone in a room the minute she enters. Mysterious and manipulative, she hides a streak of distrust a mile wide and ten miles deep. Cynicism guides her evert action, and her tough sense of survival gives her the means to do whatever is necessary to come out ahead

The Spunky Kid

gutsy and true, she is loyal to the end. She is a favorite of many writers, and for good reason. You can’t help but root for her. She’s the girl with moxie. She’s not looking to be at the top of the heap; she just wants to be in her own little niche. She’s the team player, the one who is always ready to lend a hand.

The free spirit

eternal optimist, she dances to unheard tunes. Playful and fun-loving, she travels through life with a hop, skip, and a jump, always stopping to smell the flowers and admire the pretty colors. She acts on a whim and followers her heart, not her head

The Waif

a distressed damsel, she bends with the wind. She’s the original damsel in distress. Her child-like innocence evokes a protective urge in the beastliest of heroes. But don’t be fooled, because the ___ has tremendous strength of will. She won’t fight back; she’ll endure

The Librarian

controlled and clever, she holds back. She’s prim and proper, but underneath that tight bun lurks a passionate woman. Dressed to repress, she might be the know-it-all whose hand is always up in class, or maybe she is the shy mouse hiding in the library.

The crusader

a dedicated fighter, she meets her commitments. No shrinking violet, no distressed damsel here. This lady is on a mission, and she marches right over anyone in her way. Tenacious and headstrong, she brushes off any opposition to her goal

The Nurturer

sirene and capable, she nourishes the spirit. Not always Suzy Homemaker, this lady takes care of everyone. She is a wonderful listener, and a joy to have around, this heroine takes care of everyone. She’s serene, capable and optimistic

The Quesr

what the hero must accomplish in order to bring fertility back to the wasteland, usually a search for some talisman, which will restore peace, order, and normalcy to a troubled land

the task

the nearly superhuman feat(s) the hero must perform in order to accomplish his questj

the journey

the ___ sends the hero in search of some truth that will help save his kingdom

the initiation

the adolescent comes into his maturity with new awareness and problems

the ritual

the actual ceremonies the Initiate experiences that will mark his rite of passage into another state. A clear sign of the character’s role in the story

the fall

the descent from a higher to lower state of being usually as a punishment for transgression. It also involves the loss of innocence

death and rebirth

the most common of all situational archetypes, this motif grows out of a parallel between the cycle of nature and the cycle of life. Thus morning and springtime represent birth, youth, or rebirth, while evening and winter suggest old age or death

Battle between good and evil

Obviously, a battle between two primal forces. Mankind shows eternal optimism in the continual portrayal of good triumphing over evil despite great odds

the unhealable wound

either a physical or psychological wound that cannot be fully healed. The wound symbolizes a loss of innocence

light vs darkness

light usually suggests hope, renewal, or intellectual illumination; darkness implies the unknown, ignorance, or despair

innate wisdom vs educative stupidity

some characters exhibit wisdom and understanding of situations instinctively as opposed to those supposedly in charge. Loyal retainers often exhibit this wisdom as they accompany the hero on the journey

supernatural intervention

spiritual beings intervene on the side of the hero or sometimes against him

fire and ice

Fire represents knowledge, light, lift, and rebirth, while ice, like the desert, represents ignorance, darkness, sterility and death

nature vs mechanistic world

nature is good while technology is evil

the threshold

gateway to a new world which the hero must enter to change and grow

the underworld

a place of death or metaphorically an encounter with the dark side of the self. Entering an underworld is a form of facing a fear of death

haven vs wilderness

places of safety contrast sharply against a dangerous wilderness. Heroes are often sheltered for a time to regain health and resources

water vs desert

because water is necessary to life and growth, it commonly appears as a birth symbol, as baptism symbolizes a spiritual birth. Rain, rivers, oceans etc. also function the same way. The desert suggests the opposite

heaven vs hell

man has traditionally associated parts of the universe no accessible to him with the dwelling places of the primordial forces that govern his world. The skies and mountaintops house his gods, the bowels of the earth contain diabolic forces

the crossroads

a place or time of decision when a realization is made and change or penance results

the maze

a puzzling dilemma or great uncertainty, search for the dangerous monster inside of oneself, or a journey into the heart of darkness

the castle

a strong place of safety which holds treasure or princess, may be enchanted or bewitched

the tower

a strong place of evil, represents the isolation of self

the magic weapon

the weapon the hero needs in order to complete his quest

the whirlpool

symbolizes the destructive power of nature or fate

fog

symbolizes uncertainty

red

(color) represents blood, sacrifice, passion, disorder

green

(color) represents growth, hope, fertility

blue

(color) highly positive, security, tranquility, spiritual purity

black

(color) represents darkness, chaos, mystery, the unknown, death, wisdom, evil, melancholy

white

(color) represents light, purity, innocence, timelessless (negatives: death horror, supernatural)

yellow

(color) represents enlightenment, wisdom

3

(number) light, spiritual awareness, unity (holy trinity), male principle

4

(number) associated with the circle, life cycle, four seasons, female principle, earth, nature, elements

7

(number) the most potent of all symbolic numbers signifying the union of three and four, the completion of a cycle, perfect order, perfect number, religious symbol

the hero

protagonist whose life is a series of well-marked adventures. The circumstances of his birth are unusual, and he is raised by a guardian. He will have to leave his kingdom, only to return to it upon reaching manhood. Characterized by courage, strength, and honor, the hero will endure hardship, even risk his life for the good of all. Leaves the familiar to enter an unfamiliar and challenging world

young man from the provinces

the hero returns to his home and heritage where he is a stranger who can see new problems and new solutions

the initiates

young heroes or heroines who must go through some training and ceremony before undertaking their quest

mentor

an older, wiser teacher to the initiates. He often serves as a father figure or mother figure. He gives the hero gifts (weapons, food, magic, information), serves as a role model or as hero’s conscience

mentor-pupil relationship

in this relationship, the Mentor teaches the Hero/pupil the necessary skills for surviving the quest

the threshold guardian

tests the hero’s courage and worthiness to begin the journey

father-son conflict

in this relationship, the tension is built due to separation from childhood or some other source when the two meet as men

hunting group of companions

these are loyal companions willing to face hardship and ordeal in order to stay together

loyal retainers

the retainer’s duty is to reflect the nobility and power of the hero

friendly beast

an animal companion showing that nature is on the side of the hero

the shadow

a worthy opponent with whom the hero must struggle in a fight to the end. Must be destroyed or neutralized. Psychologically can represent the darker side of the hero’s own psyche

the devil figure

this character is evil incarnate

the evil figure with ultimately good heart

a devil figure with the potential to be good. This person is usually saved by the love of the hero