HeroesFrom

Heroes and Heroines: Sixteen Master Archetypes

By: Tami D. Cowden, Caro LaFever, Sue Viders

The Chief Leader He needs to fix problems and produce results Awesome challenges never discourage him Motto: “do something or get out of the way” Appears unemotional and harsh, but this is not

true Independence is vitally important to him and the

thought of relying on another person never crosses his mind

Once he locks his eyes on the prize, nothing stops him

Qualities of The Chief

Virtues Goal Oriented

• Always focused on what needs to be achieved Decisive

• Bring him a problem and within minutes he has a solution Responsible

• When he accepts a task, he follows through until it is completed• Never doubts he can accomplish the job

Flaws Stubborn

• Obstinate to a fault• Even when the battle is over, he continues to fight

Unsympathetic• He never asks for help• He expects people to just get over it

Dominating• He sometimes bullies people into following him

Background of The Chief Always needed to control his environment

Whether he was the eldest child, the high school quarterback, or the class president, responsibility was his at an early age.

In school, he quickly dominated playtime. Learned to get what he wanted using the “system” A budding entrepreneur, he may well have been

making almost as much money as his father did Would rather lead than communicate

He was well liked, but truly close friends were few and far between.

A realist- took whatever opportunities came his way

Think of…

Alex P. Keaton

from Family Ties

Styles of The Chief Might be a BORN LEADER

He naturally assumes control, never doubting his ability to get the job done.

King Siam in The King and I Only loss of control scares the BORN LEADER

Michael Corleone in The Godfather II His father’s mafia empire was handed down to this man who had

been groomed from birth to assume leadership The BORN LEADER has always been aware of his

destiny Pride is a central trait for this man The type to go down with the ship, never admitting he might lose

the battle

Occupations of The Chief He is drawn to professions that let him lead.

CEO Surgeon Nobleman Newspaper editor Pilot Sheriff Football quarterback

Delegate willingly Are impatient with slow or poor work Are demanding Accomplish enormous amounts of work in very short

periods of time

The Bad Boy Struts into every room daring anyone to knock the chip

off his shoulder It may seem he cares nothing for the opinion of others,

but in fact, the reverse is true. All his life, he has been pointed out as a bad example,

so he does his best to maintain that reputation. No woman forgets the bad boy in her life- he is

irresistible. Leader of the pack/ never follows the rules Covers up his passions with a leather jacket and a cocky

smirk He keeps his secrets deep inside himself, trusting no

one Every schoolgirl’s fantasy and every father’s nightmare.

Think of…

James Dean as Jim Stark in Rebel Without a Cause

• John Bender in The Breakfast Club

Qualities of The Bad Boy

Virtues Charismatic Street Smart Intuitive

• His instincts are finely tuned• Childhood beatings and schoolyard fights taught

him to be aware of the people around him• Not afraid to go with his gut

Flaws Pessimistic

• He has learned the hard way that most people are selfish

Bitter• Never forgets• He has been crushed and resentment remains

Volatile• Surface control/ emotional underneath

Background of The Bad Boy

Grew up on the streets, even if he lived in a mansion

Families have provided nothing but pain and hurt for the bad boy

He never had to go looking for trouble Thumbed his nose at any kind of authority Always the scapegoat, he saw the principal

more often than he saw his parents Always gets the blame no matter what- broken

windows, stolen hubcaps, drag races, etc.

Styles of The Bad Boy

May be from the wrong side of the tracks Fights tooth and nail to escape his past

circumstances He was not accepted as a child

Think of Patrick Swayze as Johnny Castle in Dirty Dancing

He expects to have the worst expected of him

Styles Continued…

He never lets anyone inside his skin Think of Will Hunting in Good Will Hunting His past created a streak of anger within him

so deep and dark, he finds it impossible to trust the good fortune and opportunities presented to him.

No one is allowed inside his skin, least of all the rich and loving girlfriend or the empathetic counselor

Only when he has come to understand the enduring power of love, do we see this man make an attempt to walk out of his shadows

Styles Continued…

He becomes a man early Think of Huck Finn in Mark Twain’s The

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Most adults let Huck down He flees his drunken, selfish

father, heading down river to lead

his own life.

Occupations of The Bad Boy

Motorcycle Mechanic Computer hacker Outlaw Actor Cowboy Artist Cop

The Best Friend

Decent, kind, and responsible A buddy who can be counted on whether the

chips are down or things are looking up Very good in a crisis While others are hysterical, this man’s calm,

capable presence often soothes the troubled waters

Think of Tom Hanks as Joe Fox in You’ve Got Mail May find it difficult to assert himself/ causes him

to be overlooked by women and at the office

Qualities of The Best Friend

Virtues Stable

• He is consistently dependable and is always there when called for

Supportive Tolerant

• Is not easily offended

Flaws Complacent

• Often willing to go along to get along Unassertive

Background of The Best Friend Always there to lend a helping hand

Think of Christopher Robin in Winnie the Pooh Kept the peace

Easy going and undemanding, this boy remained untroubled despite his home environment.

He never got into fights or picked on outsiders. Teachers relied on him to help other students.

Never rebelled His adolescence was smooth, and he

felt no need to defy authority. He was content with B’s and C’s and

never yearned to be captain of the basketball team.

He was more likely to play in band or spend time with his friends.

Styles of The Best Friend

Might be a Mr. Nice Guy The expectations of family and friends rule him. Think of Robbie Hart in The Wedding Singer.

• He hides his love for the heroine because he believes she is happy with her fiance.

• He is only willing to reveal his true feelings when he discovers he can do so without risking her happiness.

He is the confidant• He genuinely likes and enjoys helping out other people.• He brings out the best in others.• He is secure about himself.

Occupations of The Best Friend

Veterinarian Psychologist Vicar Counselor Barber Teacher Therapist Baker

The Charmer He is sparkle and glitz, allure and appeal. Exuding enormous charisma, he showers people

with gifts of laugher and happiness. He is always fun, often irresistible, and

frequently unreliable. Think of Bill Murray as Dr. Peter Venkman

in Ghostbusters

Motto is “live and let live” Tries to get by on his personality/ wit Hard work is not in his vocabulary.

Qualities of The Charmer

Virtues Creative Witty Smooth

Flaws Manipulative

• He does not usually see it this way, but many times he uses his appeal to get what he wants no matter who gets hurt.

Irresponsible• When the baby needs diapering, do not expect his to be around, no

matter what he promised. Elusive

• This moving target adapts to get what he wants, rarely showing his true feelings in the process.

• He refuses to be pinned down.

Background of The Charmer The Charmer knew how to please He was the apple of his mother’s eye. In school, he was a popular favorite of teachers and

children alike. As soon as he strolled into high school, he had everyone

figured out- from the principal down to the lowliest hall monitor.

Voted most popular in his class, he was the star of the school play or the class comedian.

He dated all the cheerleaders. The quintessential golden boy His parents usually were as enraptured as everyone

else. He likely found his career by chance. Long term goals and plans were never his forte.

Styles of The Charmer Might be a Playboy…

He has lived his illusion for so long, he cannot imagine any other path.

The playboy never loses his cool. The playboy is the star of his own show

Or else he is the Rogue Not quite as smooth as the playboy A boyish appeal, a lazy smile, and a fascinating allure come

together to produce a man that is hard to resist. Any man, woman, or child in this man’s company enjoys every

moment. Think of Jack Dawson in Titanic- his attractive smile and ready

wit wins over a table full of his “betters” and his confidence rubs off on the girl he saves from certain death

Occupations of The Charmer

Salesman Newscaster Gambler Politician Real estate agent Jewel thief

The Lost Soul A tormented man filled with angst and passion, he drifts

through life with a heavy heart and a wounded spirit. He is dramatic, intriguing and secretive. Never adapted to society. A tremendous physical or emotional injury had produced

a baffling puzzle of a man. This man has a poet’s voice, an artist’s creative genius

and a writer’s grasp on emotions. He always remembers Loves fiercely and hates passionately. Seems stuck in a perpetual cycle of pain. He spends far

more time in the valleys of life than on the mountain top. Endlessly relives his mistakes, but still dreams of a

better life.

Qualities of The Lost Soul Virtues

Devoted Vulnerable

• Is easily hurt, easily touched Discerning

• Because he sits apart from the world, watching and listening, he can often judge people’s motivations with accuracy.

Creative Complex A man of few words

Flaws Brooding

• Sits on the outside, contemplating the unfairness of life. Unforgiving

• He expects perfection and has a hard time grasping that everyone has faults

Fatalistic• He hopes for the best but expects the worst.

Background of The Lost Soul An isolating event in his past defined him.

He might have been a normal child to begin with, but a defining moment isolated him from society.

His response was to remove himself, withdrawing to an inner refuge where no one could reach him or hurt him.

He never joined in any of the reindeer games He walked the hallways of childhood alone. He never fit in.

He was a loner. He drifted from place to place, looking for that

indefinable “something” that would ease the ache inside him.

Styles of The Lost Soul The lost soul might be a wanderer… Never finds contentment in one place

He might hold a job but he always stands apart, holding himself back from any meaningful involvement with other people.

Cannot seem to attach Unsettled and restless, he often jumps from one dark place to

another. He has no real ties with his family or friends. Think of David Boreanaz as Angel in Buffy, the Vampire Slayer

Or else he is the OUTCAST… Wants to be left alone Aches for what he cannot have Think of Beast in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Occupations of The Lost Soul Undercover cop Photographer Gunfighter Artist Musician Singer Cook Cab driver Travel writer Bounty hunter

The Professor Has all the answers Takes the time to examine every aspect of an

issue This guy is logical, introverted, and faithful. Every experience, every emotion, every physical

sensation has been the subject of objective observation.

He is used to being the smartest man in the room.

His social skills may not be up to par. Think of Gene Wilder as Dr.

Frankenstein in Young Frankenstein

Qualities of The Professor

Virtues Expert Analytical Genuine

• When he gives his heart, he is painfully vulernable.

Flaws Inhibited

• He has not spent a lot time building up his experience with women

Inflexible• Set in his ways

Background of The Professor His special gifts rule his life. Think of Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s

Stone When you are a prodigy, it is generally apparent at an

early age. He was set apart from other children at an early age. Academics were the professor’s forte He was the nerd

Adolescence was probably a difficult time for the professor He got along well with his teachers, but being the president of

the chess club did not get a guy a lot of dates Higher education was a given for him if his parents could afford

it.

Styles of The Professor

Might be absent-minded He is a lovable klutz. His hair is often a mess or his glasses are askew. Think of Wayne Szalinski in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids He is at the top of his field

Or else he is Mr. Organized His desk is immaculate, his home is immaculate, and

he is always immaculate. Mr. Organized is a slave to logic A place for everything and everything in its place Think of Kelsey Grammer as Dr. Frasier in Frasier

Occupations of The Professor

Engineer Computer programmer Scholar Math teacher Scientist Economist Loan officer Astronomer

The Swashbuckler

Always on the go His motto is “Action, action, and more action!” Impulsive and creative He is physical, daring, and colorful. He leaps before he looks/ takes enormous risks Always in pursuit of the next adrenaline rush Roller-coasters through life

Qualities of The Swashbuckler

Virtues Fearless Exciting Capable

• Provides a quick and unconventional solution to any problem

Lives for today

Flaws Unreliable Selfish

• He puts the challenge before everybody and everything else

Background of The Swashbuckler

Loved excitement Kept his parents on their toes

Had to see over the next horizon He was the kid who climbed the highest tree and

skated over the thinnest ice. No commitments stood in his way

As soon as he could, he escaped the dry, dusty classrooms to see the world.

He packed his bags and joined the army or toured through Europe

Styles of The Swashbuckler

Might be the daredevil He courts danger and embraces excitement. Think of Pete Mitchell in Top Gun

He knows no fear Or else he is the explorer

Unlike his counterpart who lives for the race, this man loves the finish line.

Never contemplates losing He takes risks without blinking an eye, but he only

does it in pursuit of his aim. Think of Indiana Jones in The Raiders of the Lost Ark

Occupations of The Swashbuckler

Archeologist Bush pilot Pirate Body guard Jockey Safari guide Race car driver Journalist

The Warrior

Dark and dangerous, justice is this man’s watchword.

He is remote, driven, and controlled. He sees everything in black or white, right or

wrong. Believes evil cannot go unpunished He will fight the good fight

until justice has won or he is dead.

Think of John McClane in Die Hard

Qualities of The Warrior

Virtues Tenacious

• Does not give up Principled

• Personifies honor, duty, and integrity Noble

• Goes down with his cause, never betraying his friends or his commitments.

Flaws Self-righteous

• Knows his cause is virtuous and is willing to break laws to achieve the right outcome

Relentless• Finds it impossible to give up his quest

Merciless• Because his is the side of truth and justice, no excuse stands in his

way.

Background of The Warrior Needed to see justice done

From an early age, this boy saw the injustice around him and made a determination to change it when he had the power to do so.

Think of Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode I- The Phantom Menace

A strong sense of purpose burned in him as a young child Stepped in when others were afraid to

His willingness to fight for the weak may have gotten him a bad reputation.

His loyalty to family was never questioned. Money and power did not hold appeal for him

Styles of The Warrior

Might be the avenger This man wants nothing more than to live his own life

free from the cares of an unjust world. Think of William Wallace in Braveheart The avenger believes in an eye for an eye

…or else he is the Knight Embraces his destiny, accepting his missions in life

with pleasure Think of Keanu Reeves as Jack Traven in Speed Honor is paramount to the knight

Occupations of The Warrior

FBI Agent Environmental activist Spy Bomb specialist Firefighter Missionary Detective Navy SEAL