Archetype – An archetype is a symbol, story, pattern, or character type that recurs frequently in literature and evokes strong, often unconscious, associations in the reader.
Character Archetypes
 The Hero - This archetype is so well-defined that the life of the protagonist can be clearly divided into a series of adventures that follow what is often a ritualistic pattern. Traditionally, there is something unusual about the hero’s birth or conception, and at birth, often some attempt is made to kill him. The hero is then spirited away and reared by foster parents of some sort. We don’t know a lot about his childhood, but, upon reaching a certain age, he returns to his future kingdom or rightful place. Frequently, after regaining his rightful place, he loses favor and is killed or dies a mysterious death.
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 The Young Man/Woman from the Provinces – This hero is spirited away as a young man and raised by strangers. He later returns to his home and heritage where he is a stranger who can see new problems and new solutions.
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 The Initiates – These are young heroes or heroines who, prior to their quest, must endure some training and ceremony.
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 Mentors – These individuals serve as teachers and counselors to the initiates.
Sometimes they work as role models and often serve as a father or mother figure.
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 Hunting Group of Companions – Loyal companions willing to face any number of perils in order to be together and to assist in the quest.
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 Loyal Retainers – These individuals are somewhat like servants who are heroic themselves. Their duty is to protect the hero and reflect the nobility of the hero.
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 Friendly Beast – This character shows that nature is on the side of the hero.
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 The Devil Figure – Evil incarnate, this character offers worldly goods, fame, or knowledge to the protagonist in exchange for possession of the soul.
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 The Evil Figure with the Ultimate Good Heart – A redeemable devil figure saved by the nobility or love of the hero or his own desire to be redeemed.
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 The Scapegoat - An animal or more usually a human whose death in a public ceremony expiates some taint or sin that has been visited upon the community.
Their death often makes them a more powerful force in the society than when they lived.
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 The Outcast – A figure who is banished from a social group for some crime (real or imagined) against his fellow man. The outcast is usually destined to become a wanderer from place to place.
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 The Creature of Nightmare - A monster usually summoned from the deepest, darkest part of the human psyche to threaten the desecration of the human body.
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 The Woman Figure o The Earthmother – Symbolic of abundance and fertility, this character traditionally offers spiritual and emotional nourishment to those with whom she comes in contact. She is often depicted in earth colors and round of form to make her seem motherly and nurturing.
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 The Star-Crossed Lovers – These two characters are engaged in a relationship that is fated to end tragically for one or both of them due to the disapproval of society, family, friends, or because of some tragic situation.
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