The Monomyth’s Major
Archetypal Characters
 The one story
that rules them
all comprised of
the various
character types
that keep
showing up.
The Great 8 Characters…
 Hero
 Mentor
 Threshold Guardian
 Herald
 Shapeshifter
 Shadow
 Trickster
 Allies (sidekicks)
Think of these as various jobs at
McDonalds
McDonalds needs various
types of workers to make
everything work.
 All 8 “jobs” work together to make a great
thing happen.
 Yummy…french fries! Get in my belly!
 Wait…there’s no one operating the fryer to
create that golden brown stick of potatoey
goodness?
 This is no good! Someone fill that dude’s
shoes! NOW!!!!!
Archetype 1: HERO
 The protagonist that answers the call of duty
and separates himself/herself from the
normal world.
 Sacrifices self for the sake of the journey and
its potential to help others.
 S/he accepts the challenge, goes on a quest,
and restores a balance.
 We experience the journey through the eyes
of the HERO.
Name these heroes and others…
Archetype 2: MENTOR
They are all the same.
Can you name more?
 They provide:
 Insight (understanding and
knowledge)
 Training (preparation for
success)
 Motivation (you can do it)
Archetype 3: THRESHOLD GUARDIAN
 Protects the special world and the secrets it




contains
Tests the hero and makes him/her pass tests
to prove worth, ability and dedication
The mentor can act as a threshold guardian.
The guardian is not necessarily an antagonist
or “bad guy.”
It will be me when some punk tries to date my
daughter. He’ll have to get through me!
 You may pass me when you give me vocab!
Can you name others?
Archetype 4: HERALD
 Announces coming change and issues
challenges (go on a journey (Gandalf) or
discover the truth (Morpheus)
 Could be a person (Gandalf to Bilbo/Frodo) or
an event or force (a dark cloud or storm
looming over a hero’s village)
 The herald is like the match that starts the
fire.
 The herald ignites the hero’s journey.
Archetype 5: Shapeshifter
 A character’s who assistance is not quite clear
 Could be a “shady” character that might help
or might hurt (Shay or Han Solo or Gollum)
 Keeps you on edge wondering what will
happen
 Doesn’t have to physically change shape (like
Jacob does in Twilight series)
 Could mislead or deceive; is cynical and
sarcastic
 Keeps hero on guard
Archetype 6: Shadow
 Not always “bad” or “evil”—just the opposite
of the hero(ine)
 Creates conflict and brings two different
worlds together
 May represent the protagonist’s fears or
desires (that stuff of the unconscious)
 Hero’s enemies or villains often wear the
shadow mask to destroy the hero and/or his
cause
Archetype 7: Trickster
 Could be funny and make us laugh
 This character shows the absurdity of the
situation the hero is in
 Enjoys watching the status quo being altered
 Shows how things are spinning out of control
Archetype 8: Allies (sidekicks)
 Fills in gaps where hero is deficient (skills or
knowledge)
 Represents virtues of hero (could be one
sidekick or a team)
 Support system (the mentor is more of a
teacher)
 Allows hero to complete journey