Archetypes

An archetype refers to common character types, symbols, and

relationships in literature. The term was coined by psychologist Carl
Jung to suggest ancient patterns of personality that are the shared
heritage of the human race. In other words, these character types,
etc. represent ideas drawn from the collective unconscious, virtually
programmed into human DNA. These are the most basic structures in
literature, and an understanding of these archetypes can help make
sense of nearly every story ever written.

The most common pattern in literature is the hero journey, which we

have already discussed. This handout explains some of the most
common character archetypes. Each character archetype represents a
particular function in a story, not a particular type of person.

The Hero represents the egos (selfs) search for identity and
wholeness. The dramatic function of the hero is to give the
reader/audience a window into the story. We are invited to identify
with this character and see the story through his or her eyes. Heroes
generally experience some sort of growth, overcoming obstacles and
or gaining knowledge. The hero drives the action of the story and
often makes sacrifices for others.

There can be several kinds of hero: willing and unwilling heroes,

antiheroes, group-centered heroes, loner heroes, and catalyst heroes
(the only hero type who does not generally experience change;
instead, they inspire change in others). Common hero-types include:

The Innocent nave, often young and inexperienced

The Everyman/Orphan the regular guy, begins in a negative
situation with no expectation of heroism
The Warrior Hero the traditional hero of myth, like Achilles and
Beowulf

The Mentor a (usually) positive figure who aids and/or trains the
hero. He (or she) represents the heros highest aspirations, a
combination of parent, teacher, guide and conscience. The dramatic
function of the Mentor is to teach the hero and to bestow upon
him/her gifts he/she will need to complete the journey. Such gifts
often have to be earned through learning, sacrifice or commitment.
The Mentor may be a wizard or an inventor, whose special skills
provide the gifts. Mentors motivate heroes on the journey.
Just as there are several kinds of heroes, there are also several kinds
of mentors. In addition to the traditional positive image of the
Mentor/Teacher, there can be dark mentors (who can mislead heroes,
etc.), fallen mentors (who have to get their own act together before
they can help the hero), comic mentors (comically bad advice),
shamen (healers), and inner mentors (within the hero himself).

The Threshold Guardian At each new world the hero must enter
exist powerful guardians whose job it is to prevent the hero from
entering that new world. They guard the gates of each new
challenge the hero must face. They are not usually the central villains
of the story but are sometimes henchmen of that villain.

The Threshold Guardian represents ordinary obstacles that any

individual might face. He or she also represents those internal demons
of the hero (self-doubt, vices, emotional scars, etc.) which might
interfere with his ability to accomplish his task. Dramatically speaking,
the Threshold Guardian represents a kind of test the hero must pass
before he can move on to the next step of his journey.

The Herald Herald characters issues challenges and announce the

coming of significant change. Often the Herald is responsible for
issuing the heros call to adventure. The psychological function of the
Herald is a call for change. Dramatically speaking, Heralds provide
motivation, offer the hero a challenge, and get the story rolling. This
archetype can be embodied as a person or as a force.

The Herald may be a positive, negative, or neutral figure.

The Shapeshifter The shapeshifter is a character who appears to

change constantly. The figure is elusive, shifting, and unstable,
changing form upon close examination.

The shapeshifter is often a character of the opposite sex to the hero,

representing to some extent the mysterious, unexplainable aspects of
the opposite sex.

Shapeshifters may mislead the hero or keep him guessing, and their
loyalty or sincerity are often in question.

They can literally change physical form, but just as often they are
simply elusive and hard to pin down.
The psychological function of the shapeshifter is to express the energy
of the animus or anima, terms taken from the work of Carl Jung. The
animus is the masculine qualities present in the female unconscious,
while the anima is the corresponding female element in the male
unconscious. In other words, says Jung, all people, no matter their
genders, have both masculine and feminine aspects to their inner
selves. Both sides of the individual, masculine and feminine, are
necessary for survival and inner balance. The shapeshifter allows the
opposite gender aspect of the heros unconscious to be expressed.

The shapeshifter is also a catalyst for change, a symbol of the

psychological urge to transform. Disguise is the natural tool of the
shapeshifter, and any character can wear the mask of the
shapeshifter through the use of disguise.

The Shadow The Shadow archetype represents the energy of the

dark side, the unexpressed, unrealized or rejected aspects of
something.

Psychologically speaking, the Shadow can represent the power of

repressed feelings. It can be a destructive force, especially if not
acknowledged, confronted, and brought to life. Shadow figures in
dreams may appear as monsters, demons, vampires, or other
fearsome enemies. The Shadow may also appear as a Shapeshifter,
as in vampires or werewolves.

Shadow figures create conflict, offer the hero a challenge. A strong

Shadow character brings out the best in the hero.

Any character can wear the Shadow mask, and conversely the
Shadow can wear other masks as well.

A Shadow may be a character or a force to the hero, or it may be a

deeply repressed part of the hero.

The Ally Allies travel with the hero and help him along the way.
The Ally can be the heros companion, sparring partner, conscience or
comic relief. Allies can be sidekick characters to the hero.

Heroes may have multiple Allies. Sometimes the Ally is a kind of

audience character, who sees the story from the audiences point of
view and asks the questions the reader, listener or viewer would have.
Allies do not have to be human. They can be guardian angels,
invisible friends, animal allies, helpful ghosts, and helpful servants, to
name a few.

Allies may represent powerful internal forces that can come to ones
aid in a crisis.

The Trickster The Trickster embodies the energies of mischief and

desire for change. This character provides the comic relief necessary
to ease dramatic tension that builds up in a story. They cut egos down
to size and poke fun at absurd or stagnant situations.

Tricksters are often catalyst heroes, who affect the other characters
but remain unchanged or unaffected themselves.

PRACTICE ACTIVITY: Match each of the characters listed below to one

of the eight archetypes detailed in this handout. If the character wears
masks of more than one archetype, list both. Explain how the
character embodies the particular archetype.

1. Harvey the Pooka from Harvey

2. Darth Vader from Star Wars
3. Bugs Bunny
4. The Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz
5. Jiminy Cricket in Pinocchio
6. Rose in James CameronsTitanic
7. Ron Weasely in Harry Potter
8. The Voice (If you build it, he will come) in Field of Dreams
9. Edward Cullen in Twilight
10. Hannibal Lechter in Silence of the Lambs
11. Megara in Disneys Hercules
12. George Constanza in Seinfeld
13. Mr. Crabs in SpongeBob Squarepants
14. Circe in The Odyssey
15. Puck in A Midsummer Nights Dream