Literary Archetypes
What is an archetype?
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An archetype is a term used to describe
universal symbols that evoke deep and
sometimes unconscious responses in a reader
In literature, characters, images, and themes
that symbolically embody universal meanings
and basic human experiences, regardless of
when or where they live, are considered
archetypes.
Common Character Archetypes
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The Hero: The courageous figure, the one who’s always running in
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The Outcast: The outcast is just that. He or she has been cast out
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The Scapegoat: The scapegoat figure is one who gets blamed for
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The Star-Crossed Lovers: This is a young couple who seem “meant
and saving the day.
of a society or has left it on a voluntary basis. The outcast figure
can oftentimes be considered as a savior figure, or someone who
stands alone to do the right thing.
(i.e. Simon in The Lord of the Flies)
everything, regardless of whether he/she is actually at fault.
(i.e. Snowball in Animal Farm)
to be together,” though they can’t because of fate/circumstances.
(i.e. Romeo and Juliet)
Common Character Archetypes
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The Mother: A nurturing, guiding force. A “life-giver,” where life
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The temptress: A woman figure who brings about the hero’s
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The villain/embodiment of evil: The figure who is apt on getting in
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The trickster: The character who uses cunning to either get their
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The sage/mentor: The wise, old character who teaches the hero.
may be literal, or referencing some sort of knowledge, opportunity,
or power.
downfall because of his attraction to her.
the hero’s way for malevolent purposes.
way or to mix-up other characters. Often more mischievous than
evil.
Situational Archetypes
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THE TASK—A situation in which a character, or group of
characters, is driven to complete some duty often of
monstrous proportion. (i.e. Frodo’s task to keep the ring
safe in The Lord of the Rings)
THE QUEST—Here, the character(s) are searching for
something, whether consciously or unconsciously. Their
actions, thoughts, and feelings center around the goal of
completing the quest. (i.e. Shrek )
THE LOSS OF INNOCENCE—This is, as the name implies,
a loss of innocence through sexual experience, violence,
or any other means.
THE INITIATION—This is the process by which a
character is brought into another sphere of influence,
usually (in literature) into adulthood.
Situational Archetypes
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THE JOURNEY—the hero goes in search of some truth or
information to restore life to the kingdom; he must descend
into a real or psychological hell and is forced to discover the
blackest truths about himself (usually his faults); he must then
decide to return to the world of the living; this could also
appear as a group of isolated people (trapped on a boat, bus,
island) to represent society
THE UNHEALABLE WOUND—a wound that is either physical or
psychological; it cannot be healed fully; indicates a loss of
innocence; always aches and may drive the sufferer to
desperate measures
THE RITUAL—actual ceremony that marks a new stage (rite of
passage) in life (weddings, funerals, coronations)
Situational Archetypes
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THE FALL—descent from a higher to a lower state of
being; characters experience a loss of innocence and
often experience an expulsion from a kind of paradise as
a penalty for their disobedience and moral transgression
DEATH AND REBIRTH—deals with the similarities
between the cycle of nature and life; morning and
springtime represent birth, youth, or rebirth; evening
and winter suggest old age or death
BATTLE BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL—good triumphs
over evil despite great odds, keeping mankind hopeful
(optimism)
Symbolic Archetypes
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THE CROSSROADS—A place or time of decision
when a realization is made and change or penance
results
THE MAZE—A puzzling dilemma or great
uncertainty, search for the dangerous monster inside
of oneself, or a journey into the heart of darkness.
THE CASTLE—A strong place of safety which
holds treasure or princess, may be enchanted or
bewitched.
THE TOWER—A strong place of evil; represents
the isolation of self
Symbolic Archetypes
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NATURE vs. MECHANISTIC WORLD—nature is
good while technology and society are often evil
HAVEN VS. WILDERNESS—for the hero, places of
safety are required for time to regain health and
resources; these hideouts are often in unusual places
INNATE WISDOM VS EDUCATED
STUPIDITY—uneducated characters can often be
wise using their common sense while some very
educated characters have no common sense
Common Image Archetypes
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Certain images that recur in myths and
other genres of literature often have a
common meaning or tend to elicit
comparable psychological responses and
to serve similar cultural functions.
Water
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a symbol of life, cleansing, and rebirth—
represents the mystery of creation
Examples:
Sea—spiritual mystery and infinity; timelessness
and eternity
River—death / rebirth (baptism), flowing of time
into eternity, transitional phases of the life cycle
Sun
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Represents energy, creativity, thinking,
enlightenment, wisdom, spiritual vision,
the passing of time, and life
Examples:
Rising Sun—Birth and Creation
Setting Sun—Death
Fire vs. Ice
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Fire can represent knowledge, light, life, and
rebirth
Ice can represent ignorance, darkness, sterility,
and death
Light vs. Darkness
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Light suggests hope, renewal, or intellectual
illumination
Darkness suggests the unknown, ignorance, or
despair.
Colors
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Red—love, sacrifice, hate, evil, anger, violent
passion, sin, blood, disorder
Green—birth / death, fertility, luck, hope,
jealousy, decay, greed
Blue—sadness, spiritual purity, truth, religious
feelings of security
Black—power, doom, death, darkness, mystery,
primal wisdom, unconscious evil
White—purity, innocence, death, terror,
supernatural, blinding truth
Animals
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Snake (serpent, worm)—evil, corruption,
sensuality, destruction, wisdom,
temptation
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Dark-colored bird (raven, hawk)—death,
hate, corruption
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Light-colored bird (dove)—peace, love, life
Numbers
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Three (3)—represents unity, spiritual
awareness, and light
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Four (4)—cycle of life, (earth, water, fire,
air) nature
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Seven (7)—unity between 3 and 4,
completion and perfect order