Archetypes

• A pattern from which copies can be made.

• The “perfect example” of something.

What is an Archetype?

Archetypes fall into two major categories: characters and

situations/symbols.

Characters: The Seven Archetypes

Hero

• Protagonist / central character

• Purpose:– Separate from the ordinary world– Sacrifice himself for the service of the

Journey (answer the challenge, complete the quest, restore the world’s balance)

• We experience the Journey through the eyes of the Hero

• Hero – The entire story revolves around Simba who is set apart from the beginning of the movie for a greater purpose. He is chosen at birth to become great and completes his journey to become king and defeat Scar in the end.

Mentor

Provides

• Motivation

• Insights

• Training

… to help the Hero

Mentor – Mufasa prepares Simba to be the hero by teaching him who he is meant to be. He trains him to hunt and shows him the importance

of being king.

Threshold Guardian

• Protects the “Special World” and its secrets from the Hero

• Provides essential tests to prove the Hero’s commitment and worth

• Threshold Guardian – Before Simba can embark on his adventure home, he must speak with Rafiki who inspires and reminds him to be who he was meant to be.

Herald

• Issues challenges• Announces the coming of significant change• Can make his appearance at any time during the

Journey• Often appears at the beginning to announce a

“Call to Adventure”• Character may wear the Herald’s mask to make

an announcement or judgment, report news, or deliver a message

• Herald – Nala can be viewed as a herald by finding Simba and telling him that if he does not come home soon the hyenas will take over the Pridelands. She calls him to his adventure.

Shapeshifter

Mask misleads the Hero by hiding a character’s intentions and loyalties

• Shapeshifter – Scar misleads Simba, the hero, by making him believe that Mufasa’s death is his fault.

Shadow

• Can represent – Our darkest desires– Our untapped resources– Rejected qualities

• Can also symbolize– Our greatest fears and phobias

• May not be all bad• May reveal admirable (even redeeming) qualities• Hero’s enemies / villains often wear the Shadow mask• This physical force is determined to destroy the Hero

and his cause

• The hyenas represent the Shadow in The Lion King because their entire goal is to take over the Pridelands with the help of Scar. The scene where they are all marching around practicing for the new reign of Scar illustrates this. They represent the dark desires of power and deception.

Trickster

• Loves disruption and chaos

• May not change through the course of the Journey

• However, world and its inhabitants are transformed by Trickster’s antics

• Uses laughter and ridicule to make characters see the absurdity of a situation and possibly force a change

• Tricksters – Timon and Pumba use laughter and chaos to force change and help Simba grow up. Their joking is a reminder of who he is destined to be – King.

Situations/Symbols

The Task

A situation in which a character, or group of characters, is driven to complete some duty of monstrous proportion.

Simba’s task is to destroy Scar and reclaim his rightful place as king of the

Pridelands.

The Quest

Here, the character(s) are searching for something, whether consciously or unconsciously. Their actions, thoughts, and feelings center around the goal for completing this quest.

The Quest– Simba may not know at first, but from the beginning his quest is to find himself and sense of purpose in becoming king of Prideland. While he does realize the importance of his quest, every decision and action he makes leads him to complete the journey.

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.