What is an archetype?
An archetype is the original pattern or
model
 Archetypes can be applied to an image,
a theme, a symbol, an idea, a character
type, or a plot pattern.
 Archetypes can be expressed in myths,
dreams, literature, religions, fantasies,
and folklore.
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Character Archetypes

Character archetypes are recurring
characters that you have probably seen
in different books and movies.
Examples of Character
Archetypes
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The Hero
The Scapegoat
The Wise
Counselor/Mentor
The Supernatural
Guide
The Companions
The Villain/Evil
Figure
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The Damsel in
Distress
The Temptress
The Soul mate
The Good Mother
The Bad Mother
The Hero in
Disguise
The Hero

“A hero is any male or female who leaves the world of his or her
everyday life to undergo a journey to a special world where
challenges and fears are overcome in order to secure a quest,
which is then shared with other members of the hero’s community”
(Campbell).

Qualities: individualistic, intellectual, independent,
unhappy with the status quo, assertive
Male Examples: Simba, The Lion King; Aladdin;
Aladdin; Harry, Harry Potter
Female Examples: Dorothy, Wizard of Oz; Mulan,
Mulan; Ariel, The Little Mermaid
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The Scapegoat
A scapegoat is a person or group who
takes all the blame or suffers in place of
another.
 Qualities: considered an outsider or
criminal, restless traveler, is alone, may
be associated with sorcery or black
magic
 Example: Wile E Coyote
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The Wise Counselor/Mentor
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The Mentor is a wise or holy figure who guides the
hero in his/her journey.
 Can appear as an oracle, a mentor, a guide, a
teacher, or a wise old man/woman.
Qualities: usually an older person, possesses
insight beyond that of ordinary people, helps the
hero see the world objectively
Examples: Dumbledore, Harry Potter; Rafiki, The
Lion King; Yoda, Star Wars
The Supernatural Guide

“The hero is covertly aided by the advice, amulets, and
secret agents of the supernatural helper whom he met before
his entrance into this region. Or it may be that he here
discovers for the first time that there is a benign power
everywhere supporting him in his superhuman passage”
(Campbell).

Example: Simba sees his father in the sky
and receives advice so that he may
continue with his journey.
The Companion
Companions are friends or allies who
show faithful and loyal support to the
hero throughout the journey.
 Qualities: faithful, loyal, unselfish
 Examples: Timon and Pumba, The Lion
King; Ron and Hermoine, Harry Potter;
Sebastian and Flounder, The Little
Mermaid
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The Villain/Evil Figure

“A cruelly malicious person who is involved in or devoted to
wickedness or crime; or a person who constitutes an important evil
agency in the plot” (Campbell).

The Villain is the person who is capable of crime
or wickedness. He/she is also the opponent with
whom the hero must struggle.
Qualities: represents things we don’t like and
would like to eliminate, negative forces, cunning
Examples: Wicked Witch of the West, Wizard of
Oz; Lord Voldemort, Harry Potter; Scar, The Lion
King
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The Damsel in Distress
The Damsel in Distress is a vulnerable
woman who needs to be rescued by the
hero.
 She is often used as a trap to ensnare
the unsuspecting hero.
 Examples: Cinderella, Snow White,
Sleeping Beauty
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The Temptress
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“Lured man on until her sensuous beauty had fully captured and
weakened him. [The temptress] is sometimes seen as representing
an alien culture or the unknown” (Burrows).
The Temptress is someone whom the
hero is physically attracted to and who
ultimately brings about his downfall.
 Qualities: almost always a woman,
physically beautiful, tries to tempt the
hero in order to get him off course
 Examples: Helen of Troy, Sirens
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The Soul Mate
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The Soul Mate is a person with whom
one has a strong affinity, shared values,
and tastes, and often a romantic bond.
 The incarnation of inspiration and spiritual
fulfillment.
Qualities: often a prince or princess,
very beautiful or handsome
 Examples: Prince Charming; Jasmine,
Aladdin; Nala, The Lion King
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The Good Mother
The Good Mother is the positive
representation of the personal mother,
grandmother, nurses, surrogate mother,
goddess, etc.
 Qualities: life-giving, magic authority,
wisdom, spirituality, fertility, fosters growth
 Examples: Fairy Godmother, Cinderella;
Glinda the Good Witch, The Wizard of Oz
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The Evil Mother
The Evil Mother is the negative
representation of the personal mother,
grandmother, step-mother, mother-inlaw, goddess, etc.
 Qualities: secret, hidden, dark, is
terrifying and inescapable due to fate,
often portrayed as witches
 Examples: Queen/Witch, Snow White;
Evil Step-mother, Cinderella; Ursula,
The Little Mermaid
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The Hero in Disguise
The Hero in Disguise occurs when the
hero either cannot reveal his identity yet,
or must disguise himself in order to
complete a task.
 Example: When Luke Skywalker
dresses as a Storm Trooper in order to
get past the guards and save Princess
Leia
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