Intro to Archetypes
in Literature
10 Essential English 2019
Ms Morey
The plan for today:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Discuss what “archetypes” means
Learn about/revise the hero’s journey
Identify and explain the main archetypes
Brainstorm examples of archetypes from
lots of different films
So, what is an archetype?
Who has heard of this term before? Does
anyone know what it means?
Archetypes
The term Archetype can be used to signify
ancient patterns of personality and
relationships that appear across the world's
myths, legends and folktales.
Archetypes can also refer to patterns of plot
events and symbols.
Many of you have likely seen multiple
examples of characters like:
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Questing hero
Wise old man
Foolish sidekicks
Dark villain
The Hero’s Journey
Common plot or formula in mythology and
contemporary narratives and movies
Involves a hero that goes on an adventure,
faces a villain/crisis, wins a victory, and comes
home changed/transformed
1. Call to Adventure
2. Refusal of Call
3. Supernatural
Aid/Mentor
4. Crossing the Threshold
5. Road of Trials
6. Ordeal
7. Death of Mentor
8. Battle with the Brother
9. Temptation
10.Road Back
11.Refusal to
Return/Return
12.Ultimate Reward
13.Master of Two Worlds
Now use the template in small groups
to show your understanding of the
stages.
Choose a movie based on the hero's
journey, and identify/describe a
section of the plot that fits into each
stage.
Hero's Journey Quiz
Archetypes: Part
2
Introduction to the different
archetypes
Archetype comes from the Greek Word archétypon
arche + type = arche + typon
Arche = beginning or origin
Typon = pattern/model/type
So archetype means the original model of something
or someone.
A reminder:
An archetype can be:
● Character
● Situational, and
● symbolic
8 Main Character Archetypes
1. The Hero
2. The Mentor (typically a wise old man or woman)
3. The Ally ( a friend and helper)
4. The Threshold Guardian (typically a fierce being guarding the
entrance to a special world)
5. The Herald (person who introduces the hero to the quest)
6. The Shape shifter (a person who keeps changing his/her role)
7. The Shadow (the hero’s main enemy – a reverse image of the hero)
8. The Trickster (sometimes a helper, sometimes a hindrance)
1. The Hero
The central figure in a story
Often an ordinary person
Rises to the challenge, learns
about themself, gains a prize,
and then returns to ordinary
life
2. The mentor
Often an older man
who always has advice
for the protagonist
The mentor serves a
number of purposes:
source of wisdom, gift
giver, and conscience.
3. The Ally
The loyalty and
admiration allies
have for the hero
tells the audience
that they are worthy
of the trials ahead.
4. The Threshold
Guardian
Acts as part of the tests
the protagonist must
face in the journey
Ensures the hero is
worthy
5. The Herald
Signal change
Motivate the hero to
action
Can be people, objects,
or acts of nature
6. The Shapeshifter
Brings uncertainty and
tension into a story, by
changing appearance,
mood or behaviour
Their job is to confuse,
lie, maybe help or delay
a protagonist
7. The Shadow
A worthy opponent
that brings out the best
in the hero
Could be a villain, or
possibly the dark,
repressed side of the
hero
8. The Trickster
Cheeky sidekick or
hidden troublemaker
Can give moments of
contrasting light relief
Often a catalyst for
change
Now apply these archetypes to one of the
following movies. In a group of 2 or 3,
identify which characters best fit each
archetype. Explain in one or two sentences
why it is a good fit.
Fill in the “Archetypes in Film” G Doc. One
per group.
Suggested movies to choose from
● The Hobbit
● Lord of the Rings
Trilogy
● Harry Potter
● Shrek
● The Lion King
● Brave
● Batman/The Dark
Knight Rises
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Star Wars
The Matrix
Spider-Man (2002)
Stardust
Finding Nemo
Indiana Jones:
Raiders of the Lost
Ark