Archetypes Flashcards
(53 cards)
The task
To save the kingdom, to win the fair lady, to indenture himself so that he may resume his rightful position- the hero must perform some nearly super human deed
The quest
Describes a search for someone or an object which, when brought back, will restore fertility to a wasted land. This wasteland is mirrored by a leaders illness and disability
The initiation
Usually is the initiation into adult life- the adolescent comes to his/her maturity with new awareness and problems along with new hope for the community or land. Often the climax
The journey
Sends the hero in search of truth or information necessary to restore fertility to the kingdom. Hero travels through psychological hell. Strengthens the character
The fall
Heros loss of innocence or high position, hubris (extreme arrogance) often causes the fall and humility results from it
Death and rebirth
Most common situational archetype. Parallel between the cycle of nature and the cycle of life: morning and springtime represent birth, youth, or rebirth and evening and winter represent old age or death
Nature vs. mechanical world
This suggests that nature is good whole technology and society are often evil
Battle between good and evil
The battle that occurs between two prime forces. Mankind shows eternal optimism in the continual portrayal of good triumphing over evil despite great odds
The unhealable wound
Either physical or mental and cannot he fully healed. The wound also indicates a loss of innocence and always aches and drives the sufferer to desperate measures
The ritual
The actual ceremonies that initiate experiences that will mark the passage into another state- the ritual rites cannot be stressed over as they provide signs for the characters role as well as our own position in the world
The magic weapon
This symbolizes the extraordinary quality of the hero because no one else can wield the weapon or use it to it’s full potential. It is usually given by the mentor figure
Light vs. dark
Light suggests hope, renewal, or intellectual illumination; dark implies the unknown, ignorance, or despair
Fire vs. Ice
Fire represents knowledge, light, life, rebirth; while ice represents ignorance, darkness, sterility and even death
Supernatural intervention
The gods intervene on the side of the hero most of the time
Water vs. desert
Water represents growth, rebirth, life and spiritual birth; the desert represents a time of self awareness, deprivation, solitude, and loneliness
Innate wisdom vs. educated stupidity
Sometimes characters exhibit an understanding of situations because of their instincts better than those who are educated to do the job or be in charge
Heaven vs. hell
Man associates part or the universe not accessible to him as the dwelling places of those who govern his world; the skies and the mountain tops house his gods and the bowels of earth contain the diabolical forces
The threshold
Gateway to a new world the hero must enter to change and grow
The underworld
The encounter with the dark side of the self; fear of death
The garden
State of innocence and reconciliation; a place of peace and harmony with nature
The wasteland
Represents infertility, death of inspiration, hopelessness; usually the product of industrial technology and spiritual deprivation
The city
Norms, law, order and civilization; represents corruption and hypocrisy
The crossroads
The is the place where the decision must be made by the hero
The winding stairs
This represents a dangerous way to the unknown
