ARCHETYPE
DIRECTIONS: Review the archetypes below and identify any that can be found
in Oedipus Rex by giving an example (with page numbers) or explaining how
the archetype functions in the play.
A.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
SITUATIONAL ARCHETYPES
The Quest
The Task
The Journey
The Initiation
The Ritual
The Fall
Death and Rebirth
Battle between Good and Evil
Loss of Innocence
B. SYMBOLIC ARCHETYPES
1. Light vs. Darkness
2. Innate Wisdom vs. Educated
Stupidity
3. Supernatural Intervention
4. Fire and Ice
5. Nature vs. Mechanistic World
6. The Threshold
7. The Underworld
8. Haven vs. Wilderness
9. Water vs. Desert
10. Heaven vs. Hell
11. The Crossroads
12. The Maze
13. The Castle
14. The Unhealable Wound
15. The Tower
16. The Magic Weapon
17. The Whirlpool
18. Fog
19. Colors: *red
*green
*blue
*black
*white
*yellow
20. Garden
21. Forest
22. Numbers
*3
*4
*7
23. Seasons
*Spring
*Summer
*Fall
*Winter
C. CHARACTER ARCHETYPES
1. The Hero
2. Young Man from the Provinces
3. The Initiates
4. Mentor
5. Mentor-Pupil relationship
6. Threshold Guardian
7. Father-Son Conflict
8. Hunting Group of Companions
9. Loyal Retainers
10. Friendly Beast
11. The Shadow
12. The Devil Figure
13. Evil Figure with a Good Heart
14. The Creature of Nightmare
15. The Scapegoat
16. The Outcast
17. The Platonic Ideal
18. Damsel in Distress
19. The Earth Mother
20. The Temptress or Black Goddess
21. White Goddess
22. The Unfaithful Wife
23. Star-Crossed Lovers
24. The Wise Old Man
25. The Outcast
26. The Sacrificial King
27. The Scapegoat
28. The Don Juan