Archetypes in Literature World Literature Definition of Archetype A recurrent narrative design, pattern of action, character type, themes or image which is identifiable in a wide variety of works of literature. An archetype is the first real example or prototype of something (as the Model T is the prototype of the modern automobile). In this sense an archetype can be considered the ideal model, the supreme type or the perfect image of something (Brunel 111-112, 11 Definition of Motif An event, device reference or formula which occurs frequently in works of literature. A pattern Floral Motif So what’s the difference? The differences are minimal. Often the words are used interchangeably. An archetype is described as a recurring symbol, theme, character, or setting in multiple works. It's something that's appeared in literature so often that it's very recognizable. For example, an archetypical theme is "love conquers all." Where have we *not* seen that before? An archetypical plot structure is the infamous love triangle. A motif, though, is a recurring contrast, structure, or literary device that comes back in different forms. In Lord of the Flies, the beasties are symbols which are used as motifs which represents fear, but it comes in different forms. Archetype: Definition “A universally recognizable element . . . that recurs across all literature and life (Latrobe 13). Archetype The word is derived from the Greek: arche, original, and typos, form or model; thus, original model (Latrobe 13). Archetype versus Stereotype An archetype is a universally understood symbol, term, statement, or pattern of behavior in myths or stories occurring across different cultures. Connotation – positive. A stereotype is a conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image. Connotation – negative. It is “all too easy for an archetype to slip into a stereotype.” Let’s start with the two guys who came up with the concept: Carl Jung Joseph Campbell Carl Jung Believed in the idea of the “collective unconscious” Thought that archetypical patterns were reflective of the collective unconscious People are not born as blank slates (tabula rasa) but rather with a connectedness to those who came before us Mythological Analysis •A student of Freud who differed in views of human nature. •Jung believed that human nature was more than a collection of repressed desires and fears. •He was influenced by religion, art and mythology. •Jung divided the mind into the ego, the personal unconscious and the collective unconscious. •The collective unconscious is the reservoir of all human experience. According to Jung all people were connected at this level . Mythological Analysis •Archetypes are universal images/concepts/ ideas that come from shared common experiences, which transcend time, place and culture. • The value in using archetypal characters in fiction derives from the fact that we unconsciously already recognize the archetype, and thus the motivations, behind the character's behavior. Read: Why do we have heroes? (See link below.) •http://tatsbox.com/hero/heroques.htm examples Joseph Campbell Scholar of myth- saw connections between myths of past and present In his book “The Hero with a Thousand Faces”, Campbell identified the underlying patterns in myths, stories, and the spiritual traditions. https://www.msu.edu/~jdowell/pdf/JosephCampbellPathHero.pdf The Hero The hero is usually male. According to Campbell, women typically represent creation and ultimate wisdom and therefore do not need to make a journey. If a woman does go on a quest, traditionally it is to find her prince or mate. http://www.uky.edu/~aubel2/eng104/myth/hero.pdf The Hero The hero often times is of lowly birth, but may secretly have special powers or a high birthright he is unaware of. http://www.uky.edu/~aubel2/eng104/myth/hero.pdf The Hero The hero's parents are often dead, absent, or uncaring. A hero usually can't begin a journey to become a man if his father figure is still present. http://www.uky.edu/~aubel2/eng104/myth/hero.pdf The Hero According to Joseph Campbell A hero is judged by the things he does and the way he reacts and relates to people. His deeds must be marked by a nobility of purpose, and he must be willing to risk his life for his ideals. http://www.uky.edu/~aubel2/eng104/myth/hero.pdf Okay, so what exactly characterizes an Archetypal Hero then? 3 Stages of the Journey Departure (Separation) Journey (Initiation) Return The hero leaves on his or her journey. The adventures and obstacles the hero faces. The hero returns to a normal life but is changed. The Archetypal Hero Hero Archetype Characters • Hero (think of the classic hero journey & qualities of hero) “The main character leaves his or her community to go on an adventure, performing deeds that bring honor to the community” (Herz and Gallo 121). The courageous figure, the one who’s always running in and saving the day. • D’artagnan from Three Musketeers • John Wayne in most of his movies • Hercules Traits of the Archetypal Hero Unusual Circumstances of Birth Departure from Family Quest, faces an antagonist and a significant test Special Weapon Supernatural Help Travel to a magical unreal world More Heroic Traits… Proves self on Quest Gains self-knowledge Faces a formidable antagonist Journey and Unhealable Wound Atonement With Father Spiritual Apotheosis A Hero A person who undertakes a journey and is changed in the process. Departure Journey Return Departure (Separation) Spiderman Peter realizes that he has special powers and begins to use them in NYC. The Lion King Simba’s dad is killed and he runs away. Journey (Initiation) Spiderman Learning to control power Learning to do what’s right Fighting the Green Goblin Journey (Initiation) The Lion King Simba meets Timon and Pumba He grows up and decides to return to Pride Rock Fights his uncle Return Spiderman Saves NYC Learns to live as Peter and Spiderman The Lion King King of the Lions Grows up Has a baby Quests Quest for material wealth Quest for security, as a secure place to live Quest for kin Quest for global good, such as when a kingdom is threatened Quest for self, for self-identity or self-assurance Tests & Trials “In the transition from one stage of life to another, the main character experiences a rite of passage through growth and change; he or she experiences a transformation” (Herz and Gallo 115). Birth/Death and Rebirth “Through pain and suffering the character overcomes feelings of despair, and through a process of self-realization is reborn” (Herz and Gallo 110). Key is the idea that ultimately the hero comes to live a “mature” life and brings his wisdom back to his people. Discussion Points Link: http://tatsbox.com/hero/heroques.htm Consider a hero or heroine from a film or story familiar to you. How does that character’s journey fit the archetypal journey? Details about the Hero Cycle According to Joseph Campbell This is the model for the hero’s journey that we will be using in this class. http://www.uky.edu/~aubel2/eng10 4/myth/hero.pdf How does the hero archetype apply to Beowulf? Question: In what ways is Beowulf representative of the hero archetype? How does his experience fit with the hero cycle as defined by Joseph Campbell? Mother Figure Fairy Godmother (surrogate mother) – comforts and directs child, especially when he or she is confused and needs guidance. Represents powers that can be called on for help when it is needed. Helps young person to solve own problems (Knapp 71). Earth Mother – This character is symbolic of fulfillment, abundance, and fertility; offers spiritual and emotional nourishment to those who she contacts; often depicted in earth colors, with large breasts and hips Stepmother Examples Fairy tales characters such as the stepmother in Cinderella, fairy godmothers, Mother Goose, Little Red Riding Hood, Briar Rose, Pocahontas Mythology: Persephone, Demeter, Hercate, Gorgon, Medusa Literature: Gladriel from Lord of the Rings, Glinda from the Wizard of Oz, Dante’s Beatrice, Faulkner’s Light in August, Woolf’s To the Lighthouse Movies: the Dad in Mr. Mom, the mother in Flowers in the Attic, Ripley with Newt in Aliens The Great Teacher/Mentor Wise old men/women – protects or helps main character when he or she faces challenges. Sometimes they work as role models and often serve as father or mother figure. They teach by example the skills necessary to survive the journey and quest. Examples • Obi Wan Kenobi • Rafiki The Innocent Child/Youth Inexperienced adult The innocent, fearing abandonment, seeks safety. Their greatest strength is their trust and optimism that endears them to others and so gain help and support on their quest. Their main danger is that they may be blind to their obvious weaknesses or deny them. They also may become dependent on others to fulfill their heroic task. Frodo – Lord of the Rings Double Doppelganger It is the double or mirroring or split personality or good/evil It is the duplicate of an individual or part of a divided individual Versions of the doppelganger are found in dreams, myths, rituals of primitive people, folklore and literature and other art forms Can have many names including the Other, the alter ego, the second self Examples • Frankenstein • Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde The Sacrificial Redeemer “The protagonist is willing to die for his or her beliefs; the main character maintains a strong sense of morality” (Herz and Gallo 123). Embodiment of divine power and being sent on a mission to save humanity. • Jesus Christ • Erin Brockovich Scapegoat/Sacrificial Victim The one who gets blamed for everything, regardless of whether he or she is at fault. • Snowball from George Orwell’s Animal Farm • Hassan Enchantress/Temptress Characterized by sensuous beauty, this woman is one to whom the protagonist is physically attracted and who ultimately brings about his downfall. May appear as a witch or vampire . • The Sirens in Mythology • Mystique from X-Men • Elektra King from James Bond The World is Not Enough Villain Wolf Antagonist Bad Guy Examples: • Cruella DeVille Trickster A trickster is a god, goddess, spirit, man, woman, or anthropomorphic animal who plays tricks or otherwise disobeys normal rules and conventional behavior. • Loki • Coyote Evil Figure The Devil or Serpent This character represents evil incarnate. He or she may offer worldly goods, fame, or knowledge to the protagonist in exchange for possession of the soul or integrity. This figure’s main aim is to oppose the hero in his or her quest. • Voldemort Archetypes in Advertising Archetypes are used in all forms of storytelling, even marketing campaigns. By tapping into our familiarity with archetypes, marketers calculate and manipulate our emotional reactions. http://www.studiobanks.com/blog/p ost/240/archetype-casting-the-12master-archetypes Archetypal Settings Settings Garden • Cultivated and carefully planned. Restricted to certain vegetation Forest Habitat of the Great Mother (Mother Nature), the lunar force. Fertility. The vegetation and animals flourish in this “green world” because of the sustaining power of the Great Mother. Symbolically the primitive levels of the feminine psyche, protective and sheltering. Those who enter often lose their direction or rational outlook and thus tap into their collective unconscious. This unregulated space is opposite of the cultivated gardens, which are carefully planned and are restricted to certain vegetation. Tree Represents life and knowledge Caves and Tunnels Deep down where character delves into self Place that character goes when “invisible” or inactive At the extreme may signify death Mountains and Peaks Highest peak is place to “see” far Place to gain great insight The River Crossing river may symbolize new territory Rivers can be boundaries or borders and on the other side is something new or different May represent human life or time passing as we follow the river from its sourt to its mouth The Sea Vast, alien, dangerous, chaos Waves may symbolize measures of time and represent eternity or infinity Fountain Stands for purification; the sprinkling of water (baptism) washes away sin. Water of fountain gives new life (Knapp 32). Islands Microcosms or small worlds unto themselves Represent isolation or get-a-ways Pablo Picasso once stated, "Art is the lie that tells the truth." This quote not only encompasses the power of a visual medium, but also evokes the power of symbols, and their role not only in art but also in literature.” Link to Quote: http://www.teachers.yale.edu/curriculum/search/viewer7e1d.html?skin=h&id=initiative_10.01.09_u#a Recurrent Motifs “When reduced to their most basic parts, archetypes are nothing more than symbols recurring again and again throughout literature and culture, manifesting themselves on the written page as well as on the canvas of history. Archetypes are everywhere.” Link to Quote: http://www.teachers.yale.edu/curriculum/search/viewer7e1d.html?skin=h&id=initiative_10.01.09_u#a Works Cited Brunel, Pierre. Companion to Literary Myths, Heroes and Archetypes. New York: Routledge, 1992. Franz, Marie-Louise von. Archetypal Patterns in Fairy Tales. Toronto: Inner City, 1997. Herz, Sarah K., and Donald R. Gallo. From Hinton to Hamlet: Building Bridges Between Young Adult Literature and the Classics. 2nd ed. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 2005. **URLS for direct Internet links are listed on individual slides.