Introduction to Introduction to Archetypes IIArchetypes IIFeracoFeraco

SDAIESDAIE

29 September 201329 September 2013

Plots are about journeys – descents and Plots are about journeys – descents and ascents, quests and returns, adventures ascents, quests and returns, adventures both physical and emotionalboth physical and emotional A story without movement – without A story without movement – without

development of either plot or character – is development of either plot or character – is fairly pointlessfairly pointless

A book is a static medium, but its content must A book is a static medium, but its content must be dynamic!be dynamic!

Your college essays must also be about Your college essays must also be about journeys – demonstrating both personal journeys – demonstrating both personal growth and your potential for further growth and your potential for further developmentdevelopment

Archetypes and StatementsArchetypes and Statements

Archetypal JourneysArchetypal Journeys These may not always be personal-These may not always be personal-

statement fodder, but I’d use one if I’d statement fodder, but I’d use one if I’d been on one!been on one!

The quest for identityThe quest for identity The epic journey to find the promised landThe epic journey to find the promised land

A common variant is the quest to found the A common variant is the quest to found the “good city” – a land where our characters and “good city” – a land where our characters and values can prospervalues can prosper

The quest for vengeanceThe quest for vengeance The warrior’s journey to save his peopleThe warrior’s journey to save his people The search for love / to rescue one’s loveThe search for love / to rescue one’s love

The journey in search of knowledgeThe journey in search of knowledge The tragic quest (penance, self-The tragic quest (penance, self-

denial, redemption)denial, redemption) The fool’s errandThe fool’s errand The quest to defend the land, or to The quest to defend the land, or to

rid the land from dangerrid the land from danger The search for homeThe search for home The “grail quest” (i.e., the search for The “grail quest” (i.e., the search for

human perfection)human perfection)

More Archetypal JourneysMore Archetypal Journeys

Campbell identified five major stages Campbell identified five major stages of the typical Hero’s Journeyof the typical Hero’s Journey

Regardless of the archetypal nature Regardless of the archetypal nature of said journey, legend after legend of said journey, legend after legend incorporates the following stagesincorporates the following stages

Campbell also established certain Campbell also established certain characteristics of a hero’s journey; characteristics of a hero’s journey; while it’s impossible to find every while it’s impossible to find every characteristic in every legend, most characteristic in every legend, most of these appear with startling of these appear with startling frequencyfrequency

Campbell’s Five StagesCampbell’s Five Stages

The hero is called to adventureThe hero is called to adventure This can be something he/she discovers This can be something he/she discovers

independently, but it’s usually an imperative independently, but it’s usually an imperative from someone else – sometimes from a divine from someone else – sometimes from a divine source, other times for a national leader, and source, other times for a national leader, and even from a familial dictateeven from a familial dictate

Interestingly, this call to adventure is met Interestingly, this call to adventure is met with resistance nearly as frequently as it’s with resistance nearly as frequently as it’s enthusiastically metenthusiastically met Many heroes are reluctant to leave what they Many heroes are reluctant to leave what they

know, even when the necessity of their know, even when the necessity of their departure is cleardeparture is clear

Stage One: DepartureStage One: Departure

The hero, having left behind the The hero, having left behind the familiar, must cross the threshold of familiar, must cross the threshold of adventureadventure

This usually requires entrance into a This usually requires entrance into a new, somewhat dangerous realmnew, somewhat dangerous realm

This entrance is also often This entrance is also often accompanied by a more mature accompanied by a more mature perspectiveperspective

Also something of a planning stage; Also something of a planning stage; most reluctant heroes also abandon most reluctant heroes also abandon their trepidation once they’ve their trepidation once they’ve departed homedeparted home

Stage Two: InitiationStage Two: Initiation

Usually the longest stage of any heroic plot – the Usually the longest stage of any heroic plot – the “adventure segment”“adventure segment”

The hero often undergoes tests of strength, and The hero often undergoes tests of strength, and these tests are not always immediately these tests are not always immediately recognized or understoodrecognized or understood

Other tests include trials of endurance and Other tests include trials of endurance and resourcefulness – combinations of physical and resourcefulness – combinations of physical and psychological prowesspsychological prowess

The tests themselves often require creative The tests themselves often require creative solutions – it’s rarely as simple as it should be!solutions – it’s rarely as simple as it should be!

The hero sometimes enjoys supernatural or The hero sometimes enjoys supernatural or divine aid along the way; in other instances, the divine aid along the way; in other instances, the hero is accompanied by mortal help (sidekicks, hero is accompanied by mortal help (sidekicks, loyal backers, friends, family, warriors, etc.)loyal backers, friends, family, warriors, etc.)

Stage Three: The Road of TrialsStage Three: The Road of Trials

Also called the “descent” because our heroes Also called the “descent” because our heroes almost always fall or stumble along the wayalmost always fall or stumble along the way It’s highly unusual for a heroic journey to consist of an It’s highly unusual for a heroic journey to consist of an

endless series of triumphsendless series of triumphs Heroes suffer setbacks, particularly during the Heroes suffer setbacks, particularly during the

third stage, and these setbacks lead them to the third stage, and these setbacks lead them to the Cave – an underworld or place of great trial, Cave – an underworld or place of great trial, sometimes within the hero’s own mindsometimes within the hero’s own mind

This trial results in the hero’s rebirth, whether it This trial results in the hero’s rebirth, whether it be physical, emotional, or spiritualbe physical, emotional, or spiritual

Most importantly, the hero undergoes an internal Most importantly, the hero undergoes an internal transformationtransformation

It is the lowest point of the journey, but its It is the lowest point of the journey, but its presence is necessary for true triumphpresence is necessary for true triumph

Stage Four: The Innermost CaveStage Four: The Innermost Cave

At the end of the journey – assuming he At the end of the journey – assuming he isn’t killed and doesn’t sacrifice himself isn’t killed and doesn’t sacrifice himself along the way – the hero must return along the way – the hero must return homehome

This can be a dicey proposition; This can be a dicey proposition; reintegration in particular often proves reintegration in particular often proves difficultdifficult

However, patience often proves a virtue However, patience often proves a virtue during heroic journeys, and this stage is during heroic journeys, and this stage is no exceptionno exception

Ideally, the hero uses the lessons he’s Ideally, the hero uses the lessons he’s learned/wisdom he’s gained through his learned/wisdom he’s gained through his adventure to benefit his home – to restore adventure to benefit his home – to restore the land to former glory, for examplethe land to former glory, for example

Stage Five: Reintegration/ReturnStage Five: Reintegration/Return

The following situations are common to The following situations are common to most heroic legends, and usually appear most heroic legends, and usually appear in something approaching the following in something approaching the following orderorder

The first two roughly correspond to the The first two roughly correspond to the Departure, the third and fourth to the Departure, the third and fourth to the Initiation, the fifth to the Road of Trials, Initiation, the fifth to the Road of Trials, and the final four to the Innermost Caveand the final four to the Innermost Cave

That said, the order can shift, particularly That said, the order can shift, particularly when the storyteller modifies the when the storyteller modifies the archetypal structurearchetypal structure A Road followed by a Fall, followed by another A Road followed by a Fall, followed by another

Road and Fall before ending with a victory and Road and Fall before ending with a victory and returning homereturning home

Situations Within a StorySituations Within a Story

The QuestThe Quest What the hero must accomplish in order What the hero must accomplish in order

to restore peace, order, and normalcy to to restore peace, order, and normalcy to a troubled landa troubled land

Usually a search for something – a Usually a search for something – a talisman, for exampletalisman, for example

Often paired with the Journey, where Often paired with the Journey, where the hero goes in search of some truth or the hero goes in search of some truth or revelation that will save his landrevelation that will save his land

The TaskThe Task The nearly superhuman feat(s) the hero The nearly superhuman feat(s) the hero

must perform in order to fulfill his questmust perform in order to fulfill his quest

The Quest and the TaskThe Quest and the Task

The InitiationThe Initiation For a younger hero, a moment of For a younger hero, a moment of

maturation; for a reluctant hero, a maturation; for a reluctant hero, a moment of commitmentmoment of commitment

An increased awareness of the An increased awareness of the problems, challenges, and stakes problems, challenges, and stakes involved in what lies aheadinvolved in what lies ahead

The RitualThe Ritual The actual ceremonies (training, The actual ceremonies (training,

departure, etc.) the initiated hero departure, etc.) the initiated hero experiences that mark his rite of experiences that mark his rite of passage into a new worldpassage into a new world

Hardens the hero’s role within his Hardens the hero’s role within his society society

The Initiation and the RitualThe Initiation and the Ritual

The TrialsThe Trials The challenges a hero faces as he The challenges a hero faces as he

approaches his goalapproaches his goal The FallThe Fall

The descent from a higher state of being The descent from a higher state of being to a lower oneto a lower one

The corruption of values or drive – for The corruption of values or drive – for younger heroes in particular, a loss of younger heroes in particular, a loss of innocence, faith, or trustinnocence, faith, or trust

The loss of comradesThe loss of comrades Often a punishment for a transgression, Often a punishment for a transgression,

not always on the hero’s partnot always on the hero’s part

The Trials and the FallThe Trials and the Fall

Death and RebirthDeath and Rebirth What came before (the hero prior to this What came before (the hero prior to this

point) no longer persistspoint) no longer persists What comes after (the hero post-What comes after (the hero post-

transformation) proves key to victorytransformation) proves key to victory This motif mirrors the life cycle that This motif mirrors the life cycle that

dominates nature – young, strong and dominates nature – young, strong and vigorous rising to powervigorous rising to power

Watch carefully to see when this takes Watch carefully to see when this takes place; winter indicates old age and place; winter indicates old age and death, whereas spring indicates renewal death, whereas spring indicates renewal and youthand youth

Death and RebirthDeath and Rebirth

Battle Between Good and EvilBattle Between Good and Evil While some contemporary stories enjoy While some contemporary stories enjoy

blurring the line between the two, the pitting blurring the line between the two, the pitting of these polar opposites is a very old trope – of these polar opposites is a very old trope – the clash of one primal force with anotherthe clash of one primal force with another

Our insistence on uncompromised good Our insistence on uncompromised good triumphing over evil even against all odds – triumphing over evil even against all odds – again, something that’s fading in a more again, something that’s fading in a more cynical age – seems to paint a picture of cynical age – seems to paint a picture of humans as optimistshumans as optimists

The Unhealable WoundThe Unhealable Wound A loss – either physical or psychological – that A loss – either physical or psychological – that

cannot be resolved, at least not fullycannot be resolved, at least not fully This can either occur within the hero (physical, This can either occur within the hero (physical,

emotional, spiritual) or without (losing emotional, spiritual) or without (losing someone)someone)

The Battle and the WoundThe Battle and the Wound

Symbolic ArchetypesSymbolic Archetypes Light vs. DarknessLight vs. Darkness

Light usually suggests hope, renewal, or Light usually suggests hope, renewal, or intellectual illumination; darkness implies the intellectual illumination; darkness implies the unknown, ignorance, or despairunknown, ignorance, or despair

Innate Wisdom vs. Educated StupidityInnate Wisdom vs. Educated Stupidity Some characters exhibit wisdom and Some characters exhibit wisdom and

understanding of situations instinctively as understanding of situations instinctively as opposed to those supposedly in chargeopposed to those supposedly in charge

Loyal retainers often exhibit this wisdom as Loyal retainers often exhibit this wisdom as they accompany the hero on the journeythey accompany the hero on the journey

Supernatural InterventionSupernatural Intervention Spiritual being intervene on the hero’s behalf – Spiritual being intervene on the hero’s behalf –

and sometimes against himand sometimes against him

Symbolic ArchetypesSymbolic Archetypes Fire and IceFire and Ice

Fire represents knowledge, light, life, and Fire represents knowledge, light, life, and rebirth, while ice represents ignorance, rebirth, while ice represents ignorance, darkness, sterility, and death (think desert)darkness, sterility, and death (think desert)

Nature vs. Mechanistic WorldNature vs. Mechanistic World Nature is good; technology is evil. Enough Nature is good; technology is evil. Enough

said.said. The ThresholdThe Threshold

Gateway to a new world which the hero must Gateway to a new world which the hero must enter to change and growenter to change and grow

The UnderworldThe Underworld A place of death or metaphorically an A place of death or metaphorically an

encounter with the dark side of the selfencounter with the dark side of the self Entering an underworld is a form of facing Entering an underworld is a form of facing

one’s fear of deathone’s fear of death

Symbolic ArchetypesSymbolic Archetypes Haven vs. WildernessHaven vs. Wilderness

Places of safety contrast sharply against a Places of safety contrast sharply against a dangerous wildernessdangerous wilderness

Heroes are also often sheltered for a time to Heroes are also often sheltered for a time to regain health and resourcesregain health and resources

Water vs. DesertWater vs. Desert Because water is necessary for life and growth, Because water is necessary for life and growth,

it commonly appears as a birth symbol (i.e., it commonly appears as a birth symbol (i.e., baptism represents spiritual birth) and sign of baptism represents spiritual birth) and sign of purification. purification.

This goes for water in its many forms – rain, This goes for water in its many forms – rain, oceans, rivers, etc. oceans, rivers, etc.

The desert, by virtue of its barrenness, The desert, by virtue of its barrenness, suggests the opposite; death, infertility, suggests the opposite; death, infertility, hopelessness, degeneration, and losshopelessness, degeneration, and loss

Symbolic ArchetypesSymbolic Archetypes Heaven vs. HellHeaven vs. Hell

Both represent places (above the stars and Both represent places (above the stars and beneath the world) that ancient Man could not beneath the world) that ancient Man could not explore; traditionally, humans tend to explore; traditionally, humans tend to associate the parts of the universe that seem associate the parts of the universe that seem off-limits to them with the dwelling places of off-limits to them with the dwelling places of the gods or natural forces they believe govern the gods or natural forces they believe govern their worldtheir world

The gods live in the skies and atop impossibly The gods live in the skies and atop impossibly high mountains; demons lurk in the shadows of high mountains; demons lurk in the shadows of the world’s bowelsthe world’s bowels

The CrossroadsThe Crossroads A place or time of decision when a realization A place or time of decision when a realization

is made and change or penance resultsis made and change or penance results

Symbolic ArchetypesSymbolic Archetypes The MazeThe Maze

A puzzling dilemma or great source of A puzzling dilemma or great source of uncertainty/confusion, search for a dangerous uncertainty/confusion, search for a dangerous monster (inside or outside), or a journey into monster (inside or outside), or a journey into the heart of darknessthe heart of darkness

The CastleThe Castle A stronghold of safety – a fortress – that may A stronghold of safety – a fortress – that may

be enchanted…or bewitched. Often contains be enchanted…or bewitched. Often contains treasure, warriors, or princessestreasure, warriors, or princesses

The TowerThe Tower A stronghold of evil that often represents the A stronghold of evil that often represents the

isolation of the selfisolation of the self The Magic WeaponThe Magic Weapon

The weapon the hero needs in order to The weapon the hero needs in order to complete his questcomplete his quest

Symbolic ArchetypesSymbolic Archetypes The WhirlpoolThe Whirlpool

Symbolizes the destructive power of nature or Symbolizes the destructive power of nature or fatefate

FogFog Symbolizes uncertaintySymbolizes uncertainty

NumbersNumbers 3, for example, represents light, spiritual 3, for example, represents light, spiritual

awareness, unity (ex. Holy Trinity), and awareness, unity (ex. Holy Trinity), and masculinity embodiedmasculinity embodied

4 is associated with the life cycle, four 4 is associated with the life cycle, four seasons, earth, nature/elements, and seasons, earth, nature/elements, and femininity embodiedfemininity embodied

7 is the most potent of all symbolic numbers; it 7 is the most potent of all symbolic numbers; it signifies the union of 3 and 4, the completion signifies the union of 3 and 4, the completion of a cycle, and the attainment of perfect order of a cycle, and the attainment of perfect order (also a religious symbol)(also a religious symbol)