Epics, Myths,
Heroes, and
Archetypes
An Introduction
Characteristics of an epic…
A physically impressive hero of
national or historical importance
A vast setting involving much of the
physical world and, sometimes, the
land of the dead
Action such as a mission or quest
taken in search of something of
value
Continued…
Evidence of supernatural
forces at work
Glorification of the hero
at the end
Rooted in a specific
culture or society
What is a myth?
Myths are stories about
supernatural beings. In early
times, they were handed down
orally from one generation to
another.
Myths attempt to explain…
NATURE and its processes:
Where did earth come from?
What about the heavens? (Sun,
moon, stars, etc.)
The seasons? (Climate, rain, etc.)
Geography? (Oceans, mountains,
forests, etc.)
Continued…
MAN and historical events:
Where did man come from?
His life? (Birth growth, reproduction,
death)
His victories? (Glory in battle)
His defeats? (Misfortunes)
His end? (Rewards and punishments)
Reality of the human condition
Continued…
GOD(S):
Where did god(s) come from?
How many are there?
What do they have power over?
What are their roles?
What are their powers and
weaknesses?
What is an
archetype?
It is an original model after
which other similar things are
patterned – these are found in
every culture all over the
world.
Situational Archetypes:
The Hero’s Journey
The Quest
The Task
The
Initiation
The Return
The
Journey
The Fall
Death and
Rebirth
Stage I of the Hero’s Journey
The
Departure
Includes
The Quest
and The
Task
The Quest
Search for someone or
an object which,when
found, will restore
peace or balance to a
society
The Task
Part of the quest that
serves as a test – hero
will usually have to
perform some superhuman deed
Stage II of the Hero’s Journey
The
Initiation
This
includes
trials and
tribulations
The Initiation
Usually an initiation into
adulthood or some role
the hero must take on
Stage III of the Hero’s Journey
The Return
Includes
The Journey
and The Fall
(and often
Death and
Rebirth)
The Journey
SPIRITUAL journey
hero must go through
in search of truth – it
is a spiritual or
psychological awakening
The Fall
Descent from a higher
to a lower state of
being – usually involves
loss of innocence,
banishment, or death
Death and Rebirth
Shows cycle of
nature and life
Character Archetypes
THE HERO: Many traits!
Unusual circumstances
of birth
Leaves family or land
Event leads to quest
Has special weapon
only he can wield
Gets “supernatural”
help
Must pass test
Usually has a journey
and an unhealable
wound
Experiences
atonement with
parent(s)
Glorified at the end
of the quest
Major Character Archetypes:
The Initiates
The Mentor
The Hunting Group
of Companions
The Friendly
Beast
The Evil Figure
with the
Ultimately Good
Heart
The
The
The
The
The
The
The
Devil Figure
Transgressor
Destroyer
Trickster
Scapegoat
Outcast
Earth Mother
Character Archetypes Continued…
The Innocent
The Temptress
The Platonic Ideal
The Amazon
Warrior
The Damsel in
Distress
Creatures of
Nightmares
The Threshold
Guardian
The Shadow
The Star-Crossed
Lovers
Symbolic Archetypes
Symbolic Archetypes:
Light vs. Darkness
Water vs. Desert
Heaven vs. Hell
Fire vs. Ice
Nature vs.
Mechanistic World
Good vs. Evil
Father vs. Son
Supernatural
Intervention
Unhealable Wound
Ritual
Magic Weapon
Color Archetypes
Yes, writers of literature
and film choose colors for a
reason!
White
Positive connotations:
Light, innocence, purity, virginity
Negative:
Death, terror, supernatural, blinding
truth
http://www.starwars.com/databank/organization/stormtroopers/
Black
Positive connotations:
Knowledge, intelligence
Negative:
Evil, sadness, chaos, mystery, death
http://www.starwars.com/databank/character/darthvader/
Yellow
Positive connotations: hope,
happiness
Negative connotations: dishonesty,
cowardice, deceit, illness
Red
Positive connotations:
Love, artistry
Negative:
Blood, sacrifice, disorder
Red is also generally associated with STRONG emotions.
Blue
Positive color associated
with serenity, truth,
spiritual purity, peace,
security, loyalty
Green
Positive associations:
Life, rebirth, growth, hope, fertility,
luck
Negative:
Death, decay, envy, misfortune
Orange
Positive color made from red
and yellow; symbolizes hope and
passion, energy and balance
http://www.starwars.com/community/news/2002/03/news20020308b.html
Brown
Earth tones positively represent
nature and ideas of earth, hearth,
home, the outdoors, comfort,
endurance, simplicity
http://www.starwars.com/databank/species/ewok/eu.html
Purple
Positive connotations: wisdom,
enlightenment, power, royalty
Negative: cruelty and arrogance
Pink
Positive connotations: health,
purity, sexuality, pure love
Negative: childish innocence,
immaturity
Numeric Symbolism
Yes, numbers can mean
something, too!
Significant Numbers:
One: complete
unity
Two: symbolizes
duality (night/day,
sun/moon, etc.)
Three: associated
with Holy Trinity,
light, unity
Four: associated
with the circle,
life cycle,
seasons, elements,
earth, nature
Seven: signifies
the union of 3 and
4, which signifies
perfect order