4. But what is an Archetype?
And what does it have to do with Heroes?
5. Let’s start with the two guys who
came up with the concept:
Joseph
Carl Jung Campbell
6. Archetype:
A recurring pattern of images, situations, or symbols
found in the mythology, religion, art, and dreams of
cultures around the world.
7. Okay, so what exactly characterizes an
Archetypal Hero then?
And what does this have to do with the
characters mentioned?
8. TRAITS OF THE ARCHETYPAL
HERO
• Unusual Circumstances
of Birth
• Leaves Family and Lives
With Others
• Traumatic Event Leads
to Quest
• Special Weapon
• Supernatural Help
16. AHA! –BUT NOT ALL OF THESE
CHARACTERS
HAVE ALL OF THE CHARACTERISTICS!
17. NOW, CAN YOU THINK OF ANY
OTHER ARCHETYPAL HEROES?
18. SITUATIONAL ARCHETYPES
These are common themes that surround the Hero
The Quest
The Task
The Initiation
The Journey
The Fall
Death and Rebirth
Nature vs. Mechanistic World
Good vs. Evil
The Unhealable Wound
The Ritual
19. SITUATIONAL ARCHETYPES the Hero
These are a few of the common themes that surround
The Quest: never easily accomplished and often
includes near impossible challenges
Example: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of
the Crystal Skull
20. SITUATIONAL ARCHETYPES the Hero
These are a few of the common themes that surround
The Task: The Hero must perform some nearly
superhuman deed. This is done to save the kingdom, win the
girl, or find himself
Example: Only the rightful heir to the throne can
complete the task of pulling the sword from the
stone.
21. The Initiation: A right of passage, when the adolescent
hero becomes and adult.
Example: Arthur begins as a young boy, but in order
to become king and must make some difficult choices
and complete some difficult tasks.
The Journey: Sends the hero on a search for some truth or
information and forces the hero to discover many unpleasant
truths.
Example: Frodo sets off from The Shire in order to
find answers.
22. REFERENCES
Davis, Bryan M. "The Archetypal Hero in
Literature, Religion, Movies, and Popular
Culture." 11 Oct 1997. Stephen F. Austin
University. (07/07/2009).
<http://www.tatsbox.com/hero?
Nilsen, Alleen P., & Donelson, Kenneth L.
Literature for Today’s Young Adults, 8th ed.
Boston: Pearson Education, Inc. 2009.
