Archetypes & the Archetypal
Journey
Definition
Original models, images, characters, or
patterns that recur throughout literature
consistently enough to be considered a
universal concept or situation
Background: Leading
Researchers
Joseph Campbell
Mythologist
Author of “The Hero with a Thousand
Faces”
Myths from all over the world seem to be built
from the same ‘elementary ideas’
Demonstrates that all stories are expressions
of the same story-pattern, which he named the
"Hero's Journey" or the "monomyth"
Background: Leading
Researchers
Carl Jung
Swiss Psychiatrist
Defined the ‘elementary ideas’ as archetypes
the building blocks not only of the unconscious mind, but
of a collective unconscious
In other words, Jung believed that everyone in the world
is born with the same basic subconscious model of what
a "hero" is or a "quest," and that's why people who don't
even speak the same language can enjoy the same
stories
Background: Function of
Mythology
Identifies four functions of mythology (Campbell)
to instill in us a sense of awe, humility, and respect at the
wonder of the universe
to provide an understanding of the world according to the
knowledge of the time
to support the social order through rites and rituals or to
provide individuals with moral justifications to challenge the
existing state of things
to guide the individual through the psychological crises of
life
Background: Function of
Mythology
Citizens learn what is good and praiseworthy
and what is not; what is beautiful and
valuable and what is not; what is true and
right and what is not
These understandings are the bedrock upon
which societies, religions, and individual lives
are built
Joseph Campbell’s Heroic
Journey
Stage 1: Birth
Somehow unusual due to linage or
circumstances in upbringing
Stage 2: Call to Adventure
Is lured or goes willingly away due to some noble
cause
Stage 3: Crossing the Threshold
Enters lands unknown
Joseph Campbell’s Heroic
Journey
Stage 4: Helpers
Other humans, animals, or creatures assist
the hero
Stage 5: Magical Aid
Receives or finds a special weapon
Stage 6: Tests
Is challenged by various enemies or hostile
surroundings, and gains strength and wisdom
Joseph Campbell’s Heroic
Journey
Stage 7: Supreme Ordeal
Ultimate test of wit and courage that
threatens the hero’s life
Stage 8: Return Home
Stage 9: Gift to the World
Brings some reward to help in the life thereafter
Common Archetypes
Colors
Black- darkness, mystery, the unknown, death, evil
White- light, purity, innocence, timelessness
Seasons
Spring- rebirth
Summer- life
Fall- death/ dying
Winter- without life/ death
Locations
Garden- paradise, innocence, unspoiled beauty
Desert- lack of spiritual life, death, hopelessness
Common Archetypes
Symbols
Serpent- evil, corruption, sensuality, destruction
Tree- growth, symbol of immortality
Sun
Rising sun- birth, creation, enlightenment
Setting sun- death
Characters
Hero
Often the heart of a story is not the obstacles he faces, but
the new wisdom he acquires, from a mentor, a lover, or
even from the villain.
The hero can be an innocent, a wanderer, a martyr, a
warrior, a vengeful destroyer, a ruler, or a fool. But the
essence of the hero is the sacrifice he makes to achieve
his goal.
Common Archetypes
Characters
Mentor
The mentor is a character who aids or trains the hero
The essence of the mentor is the wise old man or woman
The other major role of the mentor is to equip the hero by
giving him/ her a gift or gifts which are important in the
quest
Threshold Guardian
The threshold guardian is the first obstacle to the hero in
his journey
The threshold is the gateway to the new world the hero
must enter to change and grow
The role of the threshold guardian is to test the hero's
mettle and worthiness to begin the story's journey and to
show that the journey will not be easy
The hero will encounter the guardian early in the story,
usually right after the start of the quest
Common Archetypes
Characters
Herald
The role of the herald is to announce the challenge which
begins the hero on his journey
The herald is the person or piece of information which upsets
the sleepy equilibrium in which the hero has lived and starts
the adventure
The herald need not be a person. It can be an event or force:
the start of a war, a drought or famine, or even an ad in a
newspaper
Shapeshifter
The shapeshifter changes role or personality, often in
significant ways, and is hard to understand
The shapeshifter's alliances and loyalty are uncertain, and
the sincerity of his claims is often questionable
The shapeshifter is often a person of the opposite sex, often
the hero's romantic interest.
The hero often assumes the role of shapeshifter to get past
an obstacle
Common Archetypes
Characters
Shadow
The Shadow archetype is a negative figure, representing
things we don't like and would like to eliminate
The shadow often takes the form of the antagonist in a
story
Trickster
The Trickster is a clown, a mischief maker. He provides
the comedy relief that a story often needs to offset heavy
dramatic tension
The trickster can be an ally or companion of the hero, or
may work for the villain
In some instances the trickster may even be the hero or
villain
In any role, the trickster usually represents the force of
cunning, and is pitted against opponents who are stronger
or more powerful.
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