MYTHOLOGICAL ARCHETYPES
Archetype – a typical example
1. The hero – has a quest that only
he/she can complete. Attempts to
overcome overwhelming odds. Stands
for bravery and strength. The easiest
character to find.
Examples: Achilles, Perseus, Jason,
Hercules
2. The mentor – provides
assistance/guidance/training to the hero
in the form of knowledge or items.
Without the mentor, the hero is usually
unsuccessful.
Examples: The gods at various times
such as Athena for Perseus
3. The threshold guardian – This
character provides a roadblock to the
hero – an early one. This character may
end up becoming an ally at some point in
the story.
Examples: Cerberus, Gray Women
4. The herald / the oracle / prophet –
This character usually helps get the ball
rolling for the hero. This character may
announce something important that leads
the character on his/her way.
Example: Hermes, Oracle, Priestesses
5. The shadow / destroyer – enjoys
destruction for destruction’s sake.
Provides the hero with an opposite.
Examples: Ares, any of the mythological
monsters
6. The trickster – survives by wits rather
than strength or skill. Provides comic
relief and a lighthearted attitude.
Examples: Hermes, Pan, Odysseus
(during his Odyssey)
7. The transgressor – pushes the limits of
human knowledge. Tries to accomplish
more than is possible.
Examples: Prometheus, Arachne,
Pandora
8. The temptress – an irresistible
standard of beauty. Holds power over
people, but does not use power for
wrong reasons.
Examples: Aphrodite, Helen, Adonis
9. The innocent – caught in
circumstances beyond his/her control. A
victim of circumstances.
Examples: Persephone, Andromeda
10. The earth mother – all-giving, allloving. Offers anything for the sake of
children.
Examples: Demeter, Gaia
These archetypes are standards in
literature, movies, games, and more.
Your assignment is to find a nonmythological example and explain who
the character is and why he/she fits this
archetype. Please DO NOT use an
example given from class.
The paragraph should be at least 200
words and should include a picture if
possible. (Please see sample on the
back.)
ASSIGNMENT IS DUE:
____________________________
My archetype is:
________________________
LUKE SKYWALKER
The Hero
Luke Skywalker is a character from the original Star Wars trilogy.
He fits the archetype of the hero because of the overwhelming odds he
needs to overcome.
Just like Perseus needed to find a way to defeat the unstoppable
Medusa, Luke needed to find a way to destroy the Death Star, a weapon
so powerful that it could annihilate a planet, as well as defeat Darth
Vader, the most powerful “Destroyer” in the galaxy.
In order to accomplish these tasks, Luke looked for assistance from
Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda (both filling the role of “Mentor” in his
training). These two Jedi masters provided Luke with tools that would
enable him to be successful: his lightsaber and knowledge of the Force.
Similarly, Perseus needed the tools of the gods in order to defeat Medusa.
Skywalker also follows the “Hero’s Journey” path. He denies his
call to adventure, even though he feels very much out of place on his
farming planet of Tatooine. However, once learning the truth about his
past and losing his family to the marauding Tusken Raiders, Luke knows
this is the path he must take in his life.
What made Luke a hero, however, was not just the fact that he
defeated Darth Vader, but that he was able to turn him back to the side of
goodness and truth. This willingness to see good in Vader truly puts Luke
in the heroic category. It is his ultimate victory in the end.