ELA Archetypes and Story Circle

1

You, establish the protagonist

2

Need, something isn’t right

3

Go, crossing the threshold

4

Search, the road of trials

5

Find, meeting the goddess

6

Take, paying the price

7

Return, bringing it home

8

Change, master of both worlds

The young man from the provinces

This hero is spirited away as a young man and reared by strangers. He later returns to his home and heritage where he is now a stranger who sees new problems and new solutions

The Initiates

These are young heroes or heroines who, prior to their quest, must endure some training and ceremony. They are usually innocent and often wear white.

Mentors

These individuals serve as teachers or counselors to the initiates. Sometimes they words as role models and often serve as a parental figure.

Threshold Guardian

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

Loyal Retainers

These individuals are basically servants who are heroic themselves. Their duty is to protect the hero and reflect the nobility of the hero

The Boss

A real go-getter, she climbs the ladder of success. This is a “take-charge” female who accepts nothing but respect

The Crusader

A dedicated fighter, she meets her commitments. This lady is on a mission, and she marches over anyone in her way.

The scapegoat

An animal or human whose death in a public ceremony expiates some taint or sin that has been visited upon a community their death often makes them a more powerful force in society than when they were alive.

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.

The Shadow

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

The Devil Figure

Evil incarnate, this character offers worldly goods, game or knowledge to the protagonist in exchange for possession of the soul.

The Quest

This motif describes the search for someone or some talisman which, when found and brought back, will restore fertility to a wasted land, the desolation of which is mirrored by a leader’s illness and disability.

The Task

To do something food, the hero must perform some nearly superhuman deed. A function of the ultimate goal, the restoration of fertility. Multiple of these might need to be completed before ultimately completing the quest.

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 society.

The Crossroads

A place or time of decision when a realization is made and change or peace 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

Red

Blood, sacrifice, passion, disorder

Green

Growth, hope, fertility

Blue

Security, tranquility, spiritual purity, hope

Black

Darkness, chaos, mystery, the unknown, death, evil, melancholy

White

Light, purity, innocence

Yellow

Enlightenment, wisdom