Archetypes and Heroes: Archetypes and Heroes: An IntroductionAn Introduction

FeracoFeraco

Myth to Science FictionMyth to Science Fiction

14 September 200914 September 2009

Ar·che·type (n)Ar·che·type (n)

1 : the original pattern or model of 1 : the original pattern or model of which all things of the same type are which all things of the same type are representations or copies : representations or copies : prototype; also : a perfect exampleprototype; also : a perfect example

2 : an inherited idea or mode of 2 : an inherited idea or mode of thought in the psychology of C. G. thought in the psychology of C. G. Jung that is derived from the Jung that is derived from the experience of the race and is present experience of the race and is present in the unconscious of the individualin the unconscious of the individual

Locating the TreasureLocating the Treasure If I ask you about archetypes, look at:If I ask you about archetypes, look at:

ImagesImages Themes/IdeasThemes/Ideas SymbolsSymbols Character TypesCharacter Types Plot PatternsPlot Patterns

You can find them in:You can find them in: Myths/Folklore/FantasiesMyths/Folklore/Fantasies LiteratureLiterature DreamsDreams ReligionReligion

Seven Stories (Booker and Seven Stories (Booker and Haig)Haig) TragedyTragedy

Hero with a fatal flaw meets tragic end (Hero with a fatal flaw meets tragic end (MacbethMacbeth)) ComedyComedy

Not necessary laugh-out-loud, but always with a happy Not necessary laugh-out-loud, but always with a happy ending, typically of romantic fulfillment (Jane Austen)ending, typically of romantic fulfillment (Jane Austen)

Overcoming the MonsterOvercoming the Monster Its psychological appeal is obvious and eternal (“Jaws”)Its psychological appeal is obvious and eternal (“Jaws”)

Voyage and ReturnVoyage and Return The archetypal structure of personal development The archetypal structure of personal development

through leaving, then returning home (through leaving, then returning home (The Odyssey, The Odyssey, Alice in WonderlandAlice in Wonderland))

QuestQuest It is the plot that links a lot of the most popular fiction It is the plot that links a lot of the most popular fiction

((The Lord of the RingsThe Lord of the Rings)) Rags to RichesRags to Riches

The riches in question can be literal or metaphoric The riches in question can be literal or metaphoric ((CinderellaCinderella) )

RebirthRebirth A central character suddenly finds a new reason for A central character suddenly finds a new reason for

living (living (A Christmas CarolA Christmas Carol))

Haig’s ViewHaig’s View Every story has been told...Authors are, if you Every story has been told...Authors are, if you

excuse the analogy, like fashion designers dressing excuse the analogy, like fashion designers dressing and re-dressing a body that will always have two and re-dressing a body that will always have two arms and two legs and a head.arms and two legs and a head.

Shakespeare, for instance, never bothered Shakespeare, for instance, never bothered himself with inventing plots. The story of Hamlet himself with inventing plots. The story of Hamlet had already been told several times before. Same had already been told several times before. Same with King Lear and Macbeth and every other with King Lear and Macbeth and every other Shakespeare work you can think of. Shakespeare work you can think of.

That does not mean a novel or a play or a film That does not mean a novel or a play or a film can't be truly original. Of course it can. It's just can't be truly original. Of course it can. It's just originality doesn't come through plot. It comes originality doesn't come through plot. It comes from style and voice and the imagination that from style and voice and the imagination that brings language and characters and settings to life. brings language and characters and settings to life.

Personally, I don't get too bothered about Personally, I don't get too bothered about whether or not a plot is considered 'original' or whether or not a plot is considered 'original' or 'unoriginal'. All stories are, to some degree, cover 'unoriginal'. All stories are, to some degree, cover versions. It's how you carry these universal plots versions. It's how you carry these universal plots into the present age that's the challenge for every into the present age that's the challenge for every writer.writer.

Jung’s Archetypal StudiesJung’s Archetypal Studies Recognized that there were universal Recognized that there were universal

patterns in all stories and mythologies, patterns in all stories and mythologies, regardless of culture or historical periodregardless of culture or historical period

Hypothesized that part of the human mind Hypothesized that part of the human mind contained a collective unconscious shared contained a collective unconscious shared by all members of the human species – a by all members of the human species – a sort of universal, primal memorysort of universal, primal memory

Jung gave rise to Joseph Campbell, whose Jung gave rise to Joseph Campbell, whose A Hero With a Thousand FacesA Hero With a Thousand Faces refined the refined the original hypotheses, highlighted the original hypotheses, highlighted the patterns we either respond to or seek out patterns we either respond to or seek out (even unconsciously), and helped define (even unconsciously), and helped define the concept of heroism in the modern agethe concept of heroism in the modern age

Heroic Archetypes – Twelve to Heroic Archetypes – Twelve to KnowKnow Hero as WarriorHero as Warrior

A god-like or impressive individual faces A god-like or impressive individual faces physical challenges and external enemiesphysical challenges and external enemies

Hero as LoverHero as Lover A pure love motivates the individual to A pure love motivates the individual to

complete the questcomplete the quest Hero as Scapegoat/MartyrHero as Scapegoat/Martyr

Hero suffers for the sake of othersHero suffers for the sake of others Transcendent HeroTranscendent Hero

Common to tragedy; a fatal flaw brings Common to tragedy; a fatal flaw brings about his/her downfall, but not before about his/her downfall, but not before he/she reaches a transforming he/she reaches a transforming realization (wisdom)realization (wisdom)

Heroic Archetypes – Twelve to Heroic Archetypes – Twelve to KnowKnow Romantic/Gothic HeroRomantic/Gothic Hero

Hero with a decidedly darker sideHero with a decidedly darker side Proto-Feminist HeroProto-Feminist Hero

Self-explanatorySelf-explanatory Apocalyptic HeroApocalyptic Hero

Faces either the end of society or the Faces either the end of society or the end of the worldend of the world

Anti-heroAnti-hero Typically prone to failure, blindness, or Typically prone to failure, blindness, or

alienation; sometimes humorousalienation; sometimes humorous

Heroic Archetypes – Twelve to Heroic Archetypes – Twelve to KnowKnow Defiant Anti-HeroDefiant Anti-Hero

Opposes societal values, particularly concepts Opposes societal values, particularly concepts of heroism/goodness/virtueof heroism/goodness/virtue

Unbalanced HeroUnbalanced Hero Protagonist who has (or pretends to have) Protagonist who has (or pretends to have)

mental or emotional deficienciesmental or emotional deficiencies

The Denied Hero/The OtherThe Denied Hero/The Other A protagonist whose status as an outsider A protagonist whose status as an outsider

makes heroic action possiblemakes heroic action possible

The SuperheroThe Superhero Exaggerates the normal possibilities of man; Exaggerates the normal possibilities of man;

frequently of divine or supernatural origin; frequently of divine or supernatural origin; someone who does not quite belong, yet is someone who does not quite belong, yet is needed by societyneeded by society