archetypal journey definition

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Meaning of archetypal in English

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• The dioramas at the natural history museum were archetypal old-style exhibitions .
• With his thin mustache and well-tailored clothes he is the archetypal image of a screen villain .
• Some people saw him as the archetypal science nerd .
• archetypically
• be someone all over idiom
• by way of idiom
• instantiate
• sum (something/someone) up
• symbolization

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[ ahr-ki- tahy -p uh l ]

an archetypal evil stepmother.

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Word history and origins.

Origin of archetypal 1

Example Sentences

Everard’s killer—an off-duty cop named Wayne Couzens—is the archetypal villain we don’t know.

Yes, they alienated some people, but they were totally OK with who they were alienating because they were moving closer to their ideal archetypal customer.

Like a refrain, they also circle back to the subject of myth as it relates to the human propensity to come to terms with the mysteries and verities that underwrite existence through archetypal stories.

Hinton is the archetypal academic, tousled, lost in thought, with a wry wit and healthy disrespect for authority.

If that is so, then Becker has written “The Heroine’s Journey” about three very different women who answered the archetypal call to adventure — and found themselves immersed in the chaos that was the Vietnam War.

Black Alice and Strix have origin stories that more closely resemble the archetypal comic heroes.

Marion Barry, the former four-time mayor of Washington D.C., notorious for being filmed smoking crack, is the archetypal survivor.

As Goggins puts it, “pictures about the archetypal not the stereotypical South.”

Christie, an archetypal tough guy happy warrior, at first dismissed accusations that the traffic jam was politically motivated.

Alex Jones is a representative Second Amendment enthusiast in the same way that Leonid Brezhnev is an archetypal progressive.

He had not wholly freed himself, however, from archetypal trammels.

Truly is Homer the primordial Hellenic seer, he who sees and sets forth the archetypal forms of the future of his race.

Yes, in the sight of God, like the archetypal ideas of the Platonists.

All things exist, according to his well-known doctrine of ideas, in an ideal or archetypal form, a pattern laid up in heaven.

This is a Generic Creation, creation according to genera or classes, like the "archetypal ideas" of Plato.

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• quintessential
• stereotypical

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The Role of Archetypes in Literature

Christopher Vogler's work on archetypes helps us understand literature

• Tips For Adult Students
• Getting Your Ged
• The Hero's Journey

The Job of the Herald

The purpose of the mentor, overcoming the threshold guardian, meeting ourselves in shapeshifters, confronting the shadow, changes brought about by the trickster.

• B.A., English, St. Olaf College

Carl Jung called archetypes the ancient patterns of personality that are the shared heritage of the human race. Archetypes are amazingly constant throughout all times and cultures in the collective unconscious, and you'll find them in all of the most satisfying literature. An understanding of these forces is one of the most powerful elements in the storyteller’s toolbox.

Understanding these ancient patterns can help you better understand literature and become a better writer yourself. You'll also be able to identify archetypes in your life experience and bring that wealth to your work. 

When you grasp the function of the archetype a character expresses, you will know his or her purpose in the story.

Christopher Vogler, author of The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure , writes about how every good story reflects the total human story. In other words, the hero's journey represents the universal human condition of being born into this world, growing, learning, struggling to become an individual, and dying. The next time you watch a movie, TV program, even a commercial, identify the following archetypes. I guarantee you'll see some or all of them.

The Hero's Journey

The word "hero" comes from a Greek root that means to protect and serve. The hero is connected with self-sacrifice. He or she is the person who transcends ego, but at first, the hero is all ego.

The hero’s job is to incorporate all the separate parts of himself to become a true Self, which he then recognizes as part of the whole, Vogler says. The reader is usually invited to identify with the hero. You admire the hero's qualities and want to be like him or her, but the hero also has flaws. Weaknesses, quirks, and vices make a hero more appealing. The hero also has one or more inner conflicts. For example, he or she may struggle over the conflicts of love versus duty, trust versus suspicion, or hope versus despair.

In The Wizard of Oz  Dorothy is the story's hero, a girl trying to find her place in the world.

Heralds issue challenges and announce the coming of significant change. Something changes the hero’s situation, and nothing is the same ever again.

The herald often delivers the Call to Adventure, sometimes in the form of a letter, a phone call, an accident.

Heralds provide the important psychological function of announcing the need for change, Vogler says.

Miss Gulch, at the beginning of the film version of The Wizard of Oz , makes a visit to Dorothy's house to complain that Toto is trouble. Toto is taken away, and the adventure begins.

Mentors provide heroes with motivation , inspiration , guidance, training, and gifts for the journey. Their gifts often come in the form of information or gadgets that come in handy later. Mentors seem inspired by divine wisdom; they are the voice of a god. They stand for the hero’s highest aspirations, Vogler says.

The gift or help given by the mentor should be earned by learning, sacrifice, or commitment.

Yoda is a classic mentor. So is Q from the James Bond series. Glinda, the Good Witch, is Dorothy's mentor in The Wizard of O z.

At each gateway on the journey, there are powerful guardians placed to keep the unworthy from entering. If properly understood, these guardians can be overcome, bypassed, or turned into allies. These characters are not the journey's main villain but are often lieutenants of the villain. They are the naysayers, doorkeepers, bouncers, bodyguards, and gunslingers, according to Vogler.

On a deeper psychological level, threshold guardians represent our internal demons. Their function is not necessarily to stop the hero but to test if he or she is really determined to accept the challenge of change.

Heroes learn to recognize resistance as a source of strength. Threshold Guardians are not to be defeated but incorporated into the self. The message: those who are put off by outward appearances cannot enter the Special World, but those who can see past surface impressions to the inner reality are welcome, according to Vogler.

The Doorman at the Emerald City, who attempts to stop Dorothy and her friends from seeing the wizard, is one threshold guardian. Another is the group of flying monkeys who attack the group. Finally, the Winkie Guards are literal threshold guardians who are enslaved by the Wicked Witch.

Shapeshifters express the energy of the animus (the male element in the female consciousness) and anima (the female element in the male consciousness). Vogler says we often recognize a resemblance of our own anima or animus in a person, project the full image onto him or her, enter a relationship with this ideal fantasy, and commence trying to force the partner to match our projection.

The shapeshifter is a catalyst for change, a symbol of the psychological urge to transform. The role serves the dramatic function of bringing doubt and suspense into a story. It is a mask that may be worn by any character in the story, and is often expressed by a character whose loyalty and true nature are always in question, Vogler says.

Think Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion.

The shadow represents the energy of the dark side, the unexpressed, unrealized, or rejected aspects of something. The negative face of the shadow is the villain, antagonist, or enemy. It may also be an ally who is after the same goal but who disagrees with the hero’s tactics.

Vogler says the function of the shadow is to challenge the hero and give her a worthy opponent in the struggle. Femmes Fatale are lovers who shift shapes to such a degree they become the shadow. The best shadows have some admirable quality that humanizes them. Most shadows do not see themselves as villains, but merely as heroes of their own myths.

Internal shadows may be deeply repressed parts of the hero, according to Vogler. External shadows must be destroyed by the hero or redeemed and turned into a positive force. Shadows may also represent unexplored potentials, such as affection, creativity, or psychic ability that goes unexpressed.

The Wicked Witch is the obvious shadow in the Wizard of Oz.

The trickster embodies the energies of mischief and the desire for change. He cuts big egos down to size and brings heroes and readers down to earth, Vogler says. He brings change by drawing attention to the imbalance or absurdity of a stagnant situation and often provokes laughter. Tricksters are catalyst characters who affect the lives of others but are unchanged themselves.

The Wizard himself is both a shapeshifter and a trickster.

• The Approach to the Inmost Cave in the Hero's Journey
• The Hero's Journey: Crossing the Threshold
• An Introduction to The Hero's Journey
• The Hero's Journey: Refusing The Call to Adventure
• The Ordeal in the Hero's Journey
• The Reward and the Road Back
• The Hero's Journey: Meeting with the Mentor
• The Ordinary World in the Hero's Journey
• The Resurrection and Return With the Elixir
• "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" Study Guide
• Therapeutic Metaphor
• The Definition of Quest in Literature
• Foreshadowing in Narratives
• The Tin Man's Toxic Metal Makeup
• The Heroes of Ancient Greece and Rome
• What Is an Antagonist?

What Are Archetypal Settings?

The archetypal settings represent the different locations that are found in literature. The article will explore what each setting has to offer, as well as how it can be used by writers.

Every writer should consider using different archetypes for their work because they provide a fresh perspective on a story and make the writing more interesting.

In this blog post, we will discuss some of these types of settings and why you might want to use them.

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What are archetypal settings?

Archetypes in literature are stories that we all immediately recognise because they have heard simple fairy tale type versions of them when very young.

Thus, the rags-to-riches story; the misunderstood character whose gifts and powers are only revealed later; the quest where a series of trials are overcome; the supplanted heir; and so on.

Archetypal settings are where stories of those types typically take place. For the most part, fairy tales would be an archetypal story type and the setting would be magical, mythical, or unrealistic in nature.

Have you ever read a horror story that took place in broad daylight?

Probably not very often, since “dark and scary nights” tend to be where horror movies take place.

Understanding the archetypes associated with different settings can help reinforce tone, foreshadowing, and theme.

Archetypal settings notes:

• Themes that are found in stories and myths
• Stories that are set in a specific time period or place
• Story settings can be used to make the story more interesting
• A setting that is a physical place
• A setting that is an emotional state or mood
• A setting that represents the protagonist’s inner life

Why is setting important?

Setting can be an important aspect of story crafting and without a clear setting, your plot and characters end up in the empty abyss.

A setting is one of the tools that you can use to help create a certain world within your story. Try using settings in an early chapter or in other places where there is more detail and less dialogue so that it has greater impact.

24 Archetypal Settings You NEED To Know

Archetypes are fundamental “building blocks” of storytelling. Certain characters, plots and settings show up over and over in stories from all over the world and in all time periods. These archetypes have special symbolic meanings.

Here are some examples of archetypal settings

A river can be associated with the process of crossing into a new chapter in your life or for example, baptism.

A river crossing often represents a boundary of some kind, like going from one life phase to another or experiencing new challenges.

The garden setting can be associated with Purity, Solitude, Reflection, Quest for Meaning.

The contrast between the garden and the forest is significant. The garden is planned, organized, safe from worldly distractions and has a beauty found only in nature.

The Wasteland

In opposition to the Garden, the wasteland setting can be associated with loneliness, desolation, despair; the place where there is no growth

The Maze or Labyrinth

The maze setting can Represent a puzzling dilemma or great uncertainty; sometimes represents the search for a monster within himself.

The castle setting can be associated with a strong place of safety; holds the treasure or princess; may be bewitched or enchanted; may represent home or some other safe place.

The tower setting can be associated with a strong place where evil resides or where the self is locked away from society and fellowship.

The Tree setting represents life and knowledge; growth, proliferation; symbol of immortality

The Wilderness/Forest

The Wilderness/Forest setting symbolises Fertility. Those who enter often lose their direction or rational outlook and thus tap into their collective unconscious. Unregulated space is opposite of cultivated gardens. A place where rules don’t apply, and people and things run wild

The forest is unpredictable and so it’s dangerous. It’s a place where sometimes the normal rules of society don’t apply. Creatures, people and magic are free to run wild in nature.

The Threshold

The Threshold setting is A gateway to a new world the hero must enter to change and to grow.

Humans want to control and call the shots, but nature laughs at this view.

The Sea setting can symbolise a few things:

• Waves may symbolize measures of time and represent eternity or infinity
• Vast, alien, dangerous, chaos
• The mother of all life; spiritual mystery; death and/or rebirth; timelessness and eternity
• Death and rebirth (baptism); the flowing of time into eternity; transitional phases of life cycle
• Water offers the opportunity for a rebirth into its depths.

The Desert setting can be associated with Spiritual aridity; death; hopelessness.

Deserts provide an escape that allows you to explore your thoughts and escape the constraints of daily life.

The Underworld

The Underworld setting can be associated with the place where the hero encounters fear or death

The Crossroads

The Crossroads setting can be associated with a place of suffering and decision

The Winding Stairs

The Winding Stairs setting can be associated with the long and difficult way into the unknown

Islands, Ships at Sea

Islands, Ships at Sea settings can all be associated with the spiritual, mental, and physical isolation or exile

The Mountains setting can be associated with personal achievement; meeting place of earth and heaven; a spiritual peak.

Being at the peak of a mountain can offer characters insight and clarity.

The Caves setting can be associated with a descent into the unconscious or inner self; a place to face innermost fears.

The underground is often represented as a perilous journey, challenging the protagonist to overcome their worst fears.

The Bridge setting can be associated with a link between worlds

The Haven setting is a place of safety where the hero may be sheltered for a time while he or she regains health or strength. It can come in many forms and contrasts sharply against the dangerous wilderness.

The Tavern setting is located on the edge or outlying spaces; a jumping off point. The place visited by the hero before beginning the actual adventure. A place where the rumors and travelers from abroad – those who have been out there and have experienced what lies beyond – meet and exchange information. An alternate setting that functions similarly is the seaport.

The Day as a setting represents safety, knowledge, and order

The Night as a setting represents danger, a lack of knowledge, and disorder.

The City as a setting represents order, law, harmony, civilization

The Rock as a setting represents stony place of suffering

Setting Archetypes in Literature

William Goldman’s Lord of the Flies uses as many setting archetypes as it can. The main characters are isolated on an island set in a deserted sea, chased by threats from the forest while taking refuge in the lagoon and often climb to light up their signal fire high on top of the mountain

The sun in the west was a drop of burning gold that slid nearer and nearer the sill of the world. All at once they were aware of the evening as the end of light and warmth.

The setting for the book shifts with time as well. There are different symbols and locations that represent deepening revelations, and it is reflected in the tone of the characters.

Often writers, especially those of short fiction, leave the details to be talked about later.

Sometimes these details are never revisited or brought back into the story and become uninteresting in service of a larger theme within a story.

Always make sure to use the setting in any story as it can add depth and meaning without other archetypes, which can help

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Definition of archetype

Did you know.

Archetype comes from the Greek verb archein ("to begin" or "to rule") and the noun typos ("type"). Archetype has specific uses in the fields of philosophy and psychology. The ancient Greek philosopher Plato, for example, believed that all things have ideal forms (aka archetypes) of which real things are merely shadows or copies. And in the psychology of C. G. Jung, archetype refers to an inherited idea or mode of thought that is present in the unconscious of the individual. In everyday prose, however, archetype is most commonly used to mean "a perfect example of something."

• grandaddy
• predecessor

Examples of archetype in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'archetype.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Latin archetypum , from Greek archetypon , from neuter of archetypos archetypal, from archein + typos type

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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“Archetype.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/archetype. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.

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• Literary Terms
• Definition & Examples
• When & How to Write Archetypes

I. What is an Archetype?

An archetype (ARK-uh-type) is an idea, symbol, pattern, or character- type, in a story. It’s any story element that appears again and again in stories from cultures around the world and symbolizes something universal in the human experience.

Archetypes are always somewhat in question. After all, no one has studied every culture in the world – that would be impossible – so we never know for sure whether something is truly universal .

II. Examples of Archetype

The most famous example of an archetype is the Hero . Hero stories have certain elements in common – heroes generally start out in ordinary circumstances, are “called to adventure,” and in the end must confront their darkest fear in a conflict that deeply transforms the hero. Luke Skywalker is a perfect example of a this archetype: he’s born on Tatooine, is called to adventure by R2-D2 and Obi-Wan Kenobi, and must then face Darth Vader in order to become a Jedi. (There’s a book, called The Hero with a Thousand Faces , that lays out in detail the archetypal Hero story, and George Lucas read it many times before making Star Wars. )

After the Hero, the most common archetype is probably the Trickster . Tricksters break the ordinary rules of society and even nature. They are often androgynous (having both male and female attributes), and they love to play tricks on those around them. They may also laugh at things others find terrifying, such as death or isolation. Tricksters are believed to symbolize the chaotic and complex realities of the world that are beyond the understanding of the human mind. Tricksters can be evil (like Loki or the Joker), or they can be good (like Bugs Bunny).

Another archetypal character is the Anti-Hero , who has many of the attributes of a Hero but is not a traditional “good guy.” Batman, for example, is an anti-hero: while he fights crime and stops super- villains , he is also a moody recluse with a slightly cruel streak. As heroic as he may be, he is also fearsome and probably wouldn’t be much fun to have around.

III. Types of Archetype

There are far too many archetypes to list all of them, but they broadly fall into three categories:

a. Character archetypes

The most common and important kind of archetypes. Most popular characters have a universal archetype such as Hero, Anti-Hero, or Trickster (see the previous section). There are literally hundreds of different character archetypes, including the Seductress, the Father and Mother Figures, the Mentor, and the Nightmare Creature.

b. Situational archetypes 

Situations that appear in multiple stories. Examples might include lost love, returning from the dead, or orphans destined for greatness.

c. Symbolic archetypes

Symbols that appear repeatedly in human cultures. For example, trees are an archetypal symbol of nature (even in cultures that live in relatively tree-less areas). Fire is also an archetypal symbol, representing destruction but also ingenuity and creativity.

IV. The Importance of Archetypes

The concept of archetypes was first developed by Carl Jung, a psychologist who discovered certain broad similarities among myths from all over the world. In particular, he noticed that “hero stories” all had similar elements, and that all cultural heroes had certain broad attributes in common. He theorized that this was because human beings all shared a “collective unconscious” – that is, a set of hard-wired expectations and preferences about stories. In much the same way that there is a “universal grammar” underlying all human languages, there may be a “universal grammar” of good stories!

So archetypes are part of the key to what makes a story compelling. The best storytellers draw on universal archetypes in crafting their stories, and thus tap into something elemental in the human mind – and in many cases, they do this automatically, without ever setting out to write an archetypal story.

V. Examples of Archetype in Literature

In George Orwell’s Animal Farm , the pig Snowball is a classic example of the Scapegoat archetype – a character who is blamed for everything that goes wrong, and must ultimately be sacrificed or driven away.

In the Old Testament, the story of Moses has many parallels to the Hero archetype. He is born in lowly circumstances (an orphan in a reed basket), and must face his greatest fears (both Pharaoh and his own fearsome God), before returning to his people bearing the 10 Commandments – in this case not only he, but the whole tribe of Israelites are transformed by Moses’s heroic journey.

In the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit books, both Bilbo Baggins and Frodo Baggins are classic Hero archetypes. They start out as ordinary Hobbits living under the hill, but hear a call to adventure when Gandalf and the Dwarves come to the door. Over the course of the journey, they must fight dragons and dark lords (both examples of the Nightmare Beast archetype), before returning to The Shire as transformed individuals.

VI. Examples of Archetype in Pop Culture

Bugs Bunny is a classic example of the Trickster. He frequently dresses up as a woman to deceive his pursuers, and is impossible for human beings like Elmer Fudd and Yosemite Sam to capture. According to archetype theory, these tricky escapes are symbolic explorations of the inherent limits on human thought.

Yoda is one of the best examples of the Mentor archetype. He lives on a faraway, inhospitable planet, similar to the way a guru might live on top of a mountain. And he trains the Hero (Luke) in both body and mind, but more importantly he forces Luke to confront the darkest parts of himself. That’s the symbolism of the cave scene, when Luke Skywalker fights a false “Darth Vader” – an illusory enemy who turns out to be merely a projection of himself.

The Mentor archetype is also exemplified by both Professor X and Magneto in the X-Men stories. These characters train various heroes (and villains) in their own way, and they live in secluded fortresses. But, like Yoda, part of the story is also getting the hero/villain to confront their own psyche. Think, for example, of Professor X’s relationship with Wolverine, in which Wolverine is forced to face his past and all the pain that it has caused. (Wolverine, incidentally, is an excellent example of an Anti-Hero.)

VII. Related Terms

Like an archetype, a cliché appears again and again in different stories. But “archetype” has a positive connotation, while “cliché” has a negative connotation. Why? Probably because archetypes come with genuine psychological force, and therefore we never get sick of them no matter how many times we see them. Clichés get tired from overuse – archetypes never do.

Typically, an archetype is also broader and more general, while a cliché tends to be a narrow, specific moment. So it’s an archetype (or at least a trope) to see a team of heroes in which one is far older than the other. Such stories evoke both the Hero and Mentor archetypes. However, if the older partner says, “I’m getting too old for this…” that’s a cliché.

An archetype is a particularly powerful kind of trope. Tropes are the broader category of common elements in stories, but a trope is generally not considered universal – it’s just very common, especially in a particular genre or culture. Again, the line between tropes and clichés is not black-and-white. For example, the “damsel in distress” figure is very common in literature, mythology, and popular culture – but it’s debatable whether this is a cliché, a trope, or even an archetype!

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Definition of archetypal adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

• The Beatles were the archetypal pop group.
• It was the archetypal British suburb, built in the 1930s.

Questions about grammar and vocabulary?

Find the answers with Practical English Usage online, your indispensable guide to problems in English.

Nearby words

• The Archers

Archetypes Guide: Definitions and Meanings Explained

What are archetypes, how archetypes apply to personalities, archetypes in jungian psychology.

• Archetypes in literature and film
• How to identify archetypes
• Why archetypes matter in storytelling
• Common archetypes and their meanings

How to use archetypes in character development

Imagine you're having a chat with a friend about your favorite movie characters. You start realizing that despite the diversity of films, there's a striking similarity in the roles these characters play. Ever wonder why? Meet archetypes! This guide will walk you through the definition of archetype, their meanings, and why they're more prevalent in our lives than you might think.

At its core, the definition of archetype is a typical example, a model, or a recurring symbol that appears in literature, art, and mythology. Think of it like the blueprint that shapes the characters we see in stories, the roles people play in society, or even the personas we adopt in our everyday lives.

• Blueprint of Character: Archetypes are like the cookie cutters used to shape characters in stories. Ever noticed how most adventure stories have a hero, a mentor, and a villain? Those are archetypes!
• Social Role: In a society, archetypes might be the roles people typically play like the caregiver, the rebel, or the wise old man. These roles are not just random, but they reflect deep patterns in human behavior and our shared cultural heritage.
• Personal Persona: On a personal level, archetypes can represent the different facets of our personalities. One day, you might play the role of the innocent child, the next day, you might be the explorer setting out on a new adventure.

Remember, the definition of archetype goes beyond just a stereotype or a cliché. It's a fundamental pattern that reflects our shared human experience, and that's what makes them so powerful and intriguing.

Ever had a moment when you thought, "Why am I acting this way?" Well, you might just be channeling an archetype. Let's dig into how archetypes apply to personalities.

Think of your personality as a home. It's not just one big empty space, right? It has different rooms for different purposes – the kitchen, the living room, the study, and so forth. Similarly, our personality isn't just one thing; it's a complex structure with different 'rooms' or aspects. These aspects are often shaped by various archetypes.

• The Hero: When you step up to face a challenge head-on, you're channeling the Hero archetype. This doesn't have to be slaying actual dragons (although if you do, we'd love to hear about it); it can be as simple as standing up for a friend or pushing through a tough workout.
• The Caregiver: When you find yourself going out of your way to help others, that's the Caregiver in you. This archetype is all about compassion, generosity, and selflessness.
• The Explorer: Do you have a thirst for adventure? Love trying new things? That's the Explorer archetype. It's this aspect of your personality that pushes you to break away from the norm and seek out new experiences.

Understanding these archetypes isn't about putting ourselves in boxes—it's about recognizing the many facets of our personalities. So next time you're surprised by your own actions, you might just have encountered an archetype in action!

If you've ever taken a deep dive into the waters of psychology, you've probably bumped into a fellow named Carl Jung. He introduced the concept of archetypes into psychology. But what exactly is the definition of archetype in Jungian terms?

In the world of Jungian psychology, archetypes are universal symbols or themes that reside in our collective unconscious. These symbols are shared by all of humanity and shape our thoughts, dreams, and behaviors. They're like the DNA of our shared psychological makeup.

Here's a quick rundown of a few key archetypes in Jungian psychology:

• The Shadow: This archetype represents our darker side – the repressed thoughts, feelings, and actions we don't want to acknowledge. It's those parts of ourselves we'd rather keep in the shadows.
• The Anima/Animus: The Anima and Animus archetypes represent the feminine and masculine aspects within us all. Whether you identify as male, female, or non-binary, you have both Anima and Animus within you.
• The Self: This archetype is the granddaddy of them all. It represents the unified unconsciousness and consciousness of an individual. It's the archetype that encapsulates your whole personality and strives for balance and wholeness.

When we understand Jung's archetypes, we can better understand ourselves and others. Recognizing these patterns can help us navigate our relationships, our dreams, and even our personal growth journey. So, the next time you're trying to understand a complex emotional experience, remember—there's probably an archetype for that!

Archetypes in Literature and Film

Pop the popcorn and get comfy because we're about to dive into the fascinating world of archetypes in literature and film. Have you ever wondered why certain characters or stories feel oddly familiar? Well, that's because many of them are based on archetypes. Understanding the definition of archetype in this context can add a whole new layer of depth to your next Netflix binge or book club discussion.

In literature and film, archetypes are typically expressed through characters, themes, or situations. They provide a framework that helps us quickly understand a character's role or a story's direction. Let's look at a few examples:

• The Hero: The hero is a character who embarks on a journey to overcome challenges and bring peace or justice. Think Harry Potter or Frodo Baggins.
• The Mentor: The mentor offers guidance and wisdom to the hero. They are often older and wiser characters, like Dumbledore in Harry Potter or Gandalf in Lord of the Rings.
• The Villain: Every story needs a good villain! This character opposes the hero, creating conflict in the story. Think Voldemort or Sauron.

These archetypes are found all over literature and film because they resonate with us on a deep, psychological level. We connect with them because they reflect universal aspects of the human experience. So next time you're watching a movie or reading a book, see if you can spot these archetypes. You might just find that it adds a whole new level of enjoyment to your experience!

How to Identify Archetypes

Now, let's put our detective hats on and uncover some tips on how to identify archetypes. It's like a treasure hunt, but instead of gold, we're unearthing universal patterns of human behavior!

The first step to identify an archetype is to look at a character's role within a story. Are they the hero, the villain, the mentor, or the sidekick? Perhaps they're the star-crossed lover or the trickster? Once you've figured that out, you're halfway there!

Next, examine their behavior, strengths, weaknesses, and the challenges they face. Does the hero have a tragic flaw? Does the villain have a redeeming quality? This adds depth to the archetype and makes them more relatable.

Also, consider the recurring themes or situations in the story. For example, the journey, the quest, or the transformation are all archetypal situations that can give you clues about the characters involved.

And lastly, don't forget the setting! It can also be an archetype. From the small, peaceful town to the bustling, corrupt city; the enchanting forest to the terrifying abyss—each of these settings has an archetypal meaning.

Remember, the definition of archetype is a universally understood symbol or term, or pattern of behavior. If a character, situation, or setting feels familiar or universal, there's a good chance it's an archetype. So, keep your eyes peeled and happy hunting!

Why Archetypes Matter in Storytelling

Did you ever wonder why some stories, regardless of their origin, feel so familiar and comforting? Or why some characters, despite their flaws, are so relatable and captivating? Well, our friends, the archetypes, deserve some credit here!

Archetypes are the secret sauce that adds depth and universal appeal to a story. They tap into our shared human experience, making the narrative more meaningful and impactful. And that's why they're so important in storytelling.

By using archetypes, storytellers can craft characters and situations that resonate with audiences across different cultures and time periods. They offer a sort of 'shortcut' to understanding complex emotions and motivations, making the story easier to connect with and digest.

Moreover, archetypes foster predictability—not in a boring sense but in a comforting one. When we spot an archetype in a story, it's like running into an old friend. We know what to expect and look forward to how the familiar will interact with the new.

But don't mistake this predictability for simplicity. Archetypes can be surprisingly complex and versatile. They can change, grow, and even surprise us—just like real people. This complexity makes them even more engaging and relatable.

So, next time you read a book or watch a movie, try to spot the archetypes. You'll be amazed at how much more depth and meaning you'll find in the story. And remember, the definition of archetype is not a rigid mold but a flexible pattern that can be adapted and reshaped. Now that’s the beauty of storytelling!

Common Archetypes and Their Meanings

Now that we've touched on why archetypes are an integral part of storytelling, let's dive into some common archetypes and their meanings. You might recognize some of these from your favorite books, movies, or even from people you know!

The Hero: Ah, the person we all root for — the hero. Their mission? To save the day, of course. The hero is defined by their bravery, selflessness, and determination to overcome obstacles and achieve their goal. Think Harry Potter, who despite numerous challenges, never stops fighting against the dark forces.

The Mentor: Who would our hero be without their wise and experienced mentor? This archetype provides guidance and advice, often helping the hero realize their full potential. Just like Dumbledore did for Harry, a mentor often sees the hero's potential before they do themselves.

The Outlaw: Meet the rebel, the rule-breaker, the one who dares to challenge the status quo. The Outlaw archetype isn't afraid to upset the apple cart to bring about change. They're often seen as a symbol of freedom and non-conformity. Robin Hood, anyone?

The Lover: This archetype is all about passion, romance, and relationships. They seek to create deep connections with others and value love above all else. Romeo and Juliet, despite their tragic end, embody this archetype to a tee.

The Jester: Life's a stage, and the Jester is here to enjoy the show! This archetype represents joy, humor, and the ability to live in the moment. They remind us not to take life too seriously and to find joy in the everyday—just like Olaf from Frozen.

These are just a few examples of the many archetypes out there. Each one represents different aspects of the human experience. And by understanding the definition of archetype, we can better understand the characters we meet in stories—and maybe even in real life.

Alright, let's get down to business. You've gotten a grasp on the definition of archetype and some common examples. Now, how do you use this knowledge to flesh out your characters? Let's find out.

Start with the basics: Begin with the basic traits of your character. Are they brave, wise, rebellious, romantic, or maybe a bit of a jokester? This can help guide you towards an archetype that suits your character. For instance, a brave character might fit well into the Hero archetype.

Build on the archetype: Once you've selected an archetype, don't just stop there. Use it as a foundation to build a complex, well-rounded character. Remember, an archetype is not a stereotype—it's a starting point. Your Hero can have flaws, your Outlaw can have moments of doubt, and your Jester can have hidden depths.

Add some conflict: One of the most compelling parts of a story is the conflict. What if your Hero is afraid of responsibility? What if your Mentor has a secret they're hiding? By adding conflict, you can create tension and add layers to your character.

Use archetypes for relationships: Archetypes can also help shape the relationships between characters. A Hero and Mentor relationship can form a deep bond, while a Jester might provide comic relief or challenge the Hero in their journey.

In the end, remember this: archetypes serve as tools to help you understand and develop your characters, but they should never limit your creativity. Use them as a guide, not a rulebook. The real magic happens when you let your characters break the mold and become truly unique.

If you're intrigued by the concept of archetypes and want to learn how to incorporate them into your art, don't miss Juliet Schreckinger's workshop, ' Composing Complex Illustrations using Basic Shapes .' This workshop will guide you through the process of creating visually striking illustrations that are rich with meaning, making use of archetypes to enhance your work.

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English Studies

This website is dedicated to English Literature, Literary Criticism, Literary Theory, English Language and its teaching and learning.

Archetypal Literary Theory / Criticism

Archetypal literary theory, also known as archetypal criticism, analyzes literature focusing on archetypes, symbols, characters, motif etc.

Introduction

Table of Contents

Archetypal literary theory , also known as archetypal criticism , is an approach to analyzing literature focusing on the identification and interpretation of archetypes —universal symbols, themes, characters, and motifs—that recur across cultures and periods.

Derived from the concept of the collective unconscious proposed by Carl Jung , archetypal theory strives to go deep into the innate human experiences and instincts that shape the narratives.

By exploring these recurring patterns and symbols , archetypal critics seek to uncover the deeper psychological, cultural, and mythological meanings embedded within literary texts, providing valuable insights into the fundamental aspects of human existence and storytelling across the ages.

Etymology Archetypal Literary Theory / Criticism

• The term “archetypal” comes from the Greek word “archétypos,” meaning “original pattern” or “model.”
• “Criticism” is derived from the Greek word “krinein,” which translates to “to judge” or “to analyze.”
• “ Archetypal criticism ” involves the analysis and interpretation of original patterns and universal symbols present in literature and other storytelling mediums.

Etymology Archetypal Literary Theory: Origin, Key Theorists, Works and Arguments

Origin of archetypal literary theory:.

• Emerged in the mid-20th century, primarily in the field of literary criticism.
• Rooted in the ideas of Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung and his concept of archetypes.

Key Theorists in Archetypal Literary Theory:

• Carl Jung: The foundational figure in the development of archetypal theory. His work on the collective unconscious and archetypes greatly influenced literary scholars.
• Joseph Campbell: A prominent scholar who popularized the concept of the hero’s journey and its connection to archetypal patterns in world mythology.
• Northrop Frye: An influential literary critic who incorporated archetypal elements into his theory of literary genres and mythic patterns.
• Maud Bodkin: Known for her work on the archetypal dimensions of poetic language in Archetypal Patterns in Poetry .

Notable Works in Archetypal Literary Theory:

• The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious (1950) by Carl Jung: In this seminal work, Jung explores the concept of archetypes and their relevance to psychology and culture.
• The Hero with a Thousand Faces (1949) by Joseph Campbell: Campbell’s book outlines the monomyth, or hero’s journey, as a universal narrative structure found in myths and stories from various cultures.
• Anatomy of Criticism (1957) by Northrop Frye: In this work, Frye discusses archetypal patterns in literature, particularly within the context of literary genres.
• Archetypal Patterns in Poetry (1934) by Maud Bodkin: Bodkin examines the presence of archetypal symbols and themes in poetry, emphasizing their emotional and psychological impact.

Main Arguments in Archetypal Literary Theory:

• Existence of Universal Archetypes: Archetypal theorists argue that certain symbols, themes, and character types are universal and recurrent across cultures and time periods.
• Collective Unconscious: Jung’s concept of the collective unconscious suggests that these archetypes are inherited and shared by all humans, influencing their thoughts, emotions, and creativity.
• Mythic Patterns and the Hero’s Journey: The theory identifies recurring mythic patterns, such as the hero’s journey, which reflect fundamental human experiences and transformations.
• Interpretation of Literature: Archetypal criticism involves interpreting literature through the lens of these archetypes, exploring the deeper meanings and psychological resonances within texts.

Archetypal Literary Theory continues to be a significant approach in the study of literature and storytelling, offering insights into the universal themes and symbols that shape human narratives.

Principal of Archetypal Literary Theory

Suggested readings.

• Bachelard, Gaston. The Poetics of Space . Beacon Press, 1994.
• Bodkin, Maud. Archetypal Patterns in Poetry: Psychological Studies of Imagination . Oxford University Press, 2015.
• Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces . Princeton University Press, 2008.
• Estés, Clarissa Pinkola. Women Who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype . Ballantine Books, 1996.
• Frye, Northrop. Anatomy of Criticism: Four Essays . Princeton University Press, 2000.
• Jung, Carl Gustav. Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious . Routledge, 2014.

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Definition of Archetype

An archetype is a literary device in which a character is created based on a set of qualities or traits that are specific and identifiable for readers. The term archetype is derived from the studies and writings of psychologist Carl Jung who believed that archetypes are part of humanity’s collective unconscious or memory of universal experiences. In a literary context , characters (and sometimes images or themes ) that symbolically embody universal meanings and basic human experiences, independent of time or place, are considered archetypes.

For example, one of the most common literary archetypes is the  Hero . The hero is generally the protagonist of a narrative and displays ubiquitous characteristics such as courage , perseverance, sacrifice, and rising to challenge. Though heroes may appear in different literary forms across time and culture, their characterization tends to be universal thus making them archetypal characters.

Common Examples and Descriptions of Literary Archetypes

As a rule, there are twelve primary character types that symbolize basic human motivations and represent literary archetypes. Here is a list of these example literary archetypes and their general descriptions:

• Lover: character guided by emotion and passion of the heart
• Hero : protagonist that rises to a challenge
• Outlaw: character that is rebellious or outside societal conventions or demands
• Magician: powerful character that understands and uses universal forces
• Explorer: character that is driven to explore the unknown and beyond boundaries
• Sage: character with wisdom, knowledge, or mentor qualities
• Creator:  visionary character that creates something significant
• Innocent:  “pure” character in terms of morality or intentions
• Caregiver:  supportive character that often sacrifices for others
• Jester:  Character that provides humor and comic relief with occasional wisdom
• Everyman:  Character recognized as average, relatable, found in everyday life
• Ruler:  Character with power of others, whether in terms of law or emotion

Examples of Archetype in Shakespearean Works

William Shakespeare utilized archetype frequently as a literary device in his plays. Here are some examples of archetype in Shakespearean works:

• Lover: Romeo (“Romeo and Juliet”), Juliet (“Romeo and Juliet”), Antony (“Antony and Cleopatra”)
• Hero : Othello (“Othello”), Hamlet (“Hamlet”), Macduff (“ Macbeth ”)
• Outlaw: Prince Hal (“Henry IV”), Edmund (“ King Lear ”), Falstaff (“Henry IV”)
• Magician: Prospero (“The Tempest”), The Witches (“Macbeth”), Soothsayer (“Julius Caesar”)
• Sage: Polonius (“Hamlet”), Friar Laurence (“Romeo and Juliet”), Gonzalo (“The Tempest”)
• Innocent: Viola (“ Twelfth Night ”), Ophelia (“Hamlet”), Hero (“Much Ado about Nothing”)
• Caregiver: Nurse (“Romeo and Juliet”), Mercutio (“Romeo and Juliet”), Ursula (“Much Ado about Nothing”)
• Jester: Touchstone (“As You Like It’), Feste (“Twelfth Night ”), Fool (“King Lear”)
• Everyman: Lucentio (“ The Taming of the Shrew ”), Valentine (“The Two Gentelmen of Verona”), Florizel (“The Winter ’s Tale”)
• Ruler: King Lear (“King Lear”), Claudius (“Hamlet”), Alonso (“The Tempest”)

Famous Examples of Archetype in Popular Culture

Think you don’t know of any famous archetypes? Here are some well-known examples of archetype in popular culture:

• Lovers: Ross and Rachel ( Friends ), Scarlett O’Hara ( Gone with the Wind ), Jack and Rose ( Titanic )
• Heroes: Frodo Baggins ( The Lord of the Rings ), Luke Skywalker ( Star Wars ), Mulan (Mulan)
• Outlaws: Han Solo ( Star Wars ), Star-Lord/Peter Quill ( Marvel Universe ), Ferris Bueller ( Ferris Bueller’s Day Off )
• Magicians: Gandalf (The Lord of the Rings), Dumbledore (Harry Potter ), Doctor Strange ( Marvel Universe )
• Explorers: Huck Finn ( The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn ), Indiana Jones ( Indiana Jones ), Captain Kirk ( Star Trek )
• Sages: Atticus Finch ( To Kill a Mockingbird ), Jiminy Cricket (Disney’s  Pinocchio ), Obi-Wan Kenobi ( Star Wars )
• Creators: Victor Frankenstein ( Frankenstein ), Willy Wonka ( Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ), Daniel Plainview ( There Will Be Blood )
• Innocents: Tiny Tim ( A Christmas Carol ), Dorothy ( The Wizard of Oz ), Forrest Gump ( Forrest Gump )
• Caregivers: Mary Poppins ( Mary Poppins ), Alice ( The Brady Bunch ), Marge Simpson ( The Simpsons )
• Jesters: Donkey ( Shrek ), Kramer ( Seinfeld ), Eric Cartman ( Southpark )
• Everyman Characters: The Dude ( The Big Lebowski ), Homer Simpson ( The Simpsons ), Jim Halpert ( The Office )
• Rulers: Daenerys Targaryen ( Game of Thrones ), T’Challa/Black Panter ( Marvel Universe ), Don Corleone (The Godfather)

Difference Between Archetype and Stereotype

It can be difficult to distinguish the difference between archetype and stereotype when it comes to literary characters. In general, archetypes function as a literary device with the intent of complex characterization. They assign characters with specific qualities and traits that are identifiable and recognizable to readers of literary works. Stereotypes function more as limited and often negative labels assigned to characters.

For example, the movie “The Breakfast Club” features characters that are far more stereotypical than archetypal. This movie features five representations of “typical” teenagers such as a dumb jock, conceited rich girl, skinny nerd, misunderstood rebel, and disaffected slacker that are forced to spend time together. These representations include what may appear to be archetypes in that they are identifiable by the audience . However, they function much more as stereotypes in the sense that their characterization is oversimplified and primarily negative. The characters assume their given stereotypical roles rather than display the complex characterization generally demonstrated by archetypes.

Writing Archetype

Overall, as a literary device, archetype functions as a means of portraying characters with recurring and identifiable traits and qualities that span time and culture. This is effective for readers in that archetypes set up recognizable patterns of characterization in literary works. When a reader is able to identify an archetypal character, they can anticipate that character’s role and/or purpose in the narrative. This not only leads to expectations, but engagement as well on the part of the reader.

It’s essential that writers bear in mind that their audience must have a reasonably clear understanding of how the character reflects a particular archetype in order for it to be effective. If the characterization of the archetype is not made clear to the reader, then that level of literary meaning will be lost. Of course, archetypal characters can be complex and fully realized. However, they must be recognizable as such for the reader on some level.

Here are some ways that writers benefit from incorporating archetype into their work:

Establish Universal Characters

Archetypal characters are recurrent when it comes to human experience, especially in art. A literary archetype represents a character that appears universal and therefore gives readers a sense of recognition and familiarity. This ability to relate to an archetypal character alleviates a writer’s burden of excessive or unnecessary description, explanation, and exposition . Due to a reader’s experience, they are able to understand traits and characteristics of archetypes in literature in an almost instinctual way without detailed explication .

Establish Contrasting Characters

Archetypes can also help writers establish contrasting characters, sometimes known as foils . In general, a literary work does not feature just one archetypal character. Since readers have an awareness of the inherent and typical characteristics of an archetype, this can create contrast against other characters in the narrative that are either archetypes themselves or not. Therefore, writers are able to create conflict and contrast between characters that are logical and recognizable for the reader.

Examples of Archetype in Literature

Archetype is an effective literary device as a means of creating characters with which the reader can identify. Here are some examples of literary archetypes and how they add to the significance of well-known literary works:

Example 1: Nick Carraway: Everyman ( The Great Gatsby , F. Scott Fitzgerald)

In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since. “Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,” he told me, “just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.”

In this passage, Fitzgerald establishes for the reader that Nick Carraway’s character is not just the narrator of the novel , but an “everyman” archetype as well. Though Nick’s father reminds him of “advantages” that he’s had, Nick is nevertheless considered the novel’s most relatable and “average” character. Therefore, as an everyman archetype, the reader is able to identify with Nick and consequently trust his observations and narration of the events of the story . This allows Nick’s character to influence the way in which the reader engages with the novel’s characters and events, as his everyman actions and interactions become vicarious experiences for Fitzgerald’s audience as well.

Example 2: Ma Joad: Caregiver ( The Grapes of Wrath , John Steinbeck)

Her hazel eyes seemed to have experienced all possible tragedy and to have mounted pain and suffering like steps into a high calm and a superhuman understanding. She seemed to know, to accept, to welcome her position, the citadel of the family, the strong place that could not be taken. And since old Tom and the children could not know hurt or fear unless she acknowledged hurt and fear, she had practiced denying them in herself.

In Steinbeck’s heart-breaking novel, the female characters represent a life force. This is epitomized by Ma Joad’s character as a “caregiver” archetype. Ma Joad is not only literally a caregiver in the sense that she is the mother of the protagonist and cares for her family, but she is also an archetypal caregiver in the sense that she makes sacrifices in order to care for others. Readers’ recognition of the characterization of Ma Joad as a caregiver allows Steinbeck to portray her as a traditional and symbolic mother figure.

However, Steinbeck elaborates on this archetype by portraying the effects of these caregiver traits on Ma Joad’s character. Rather than establishing her as a passive maternal character which would be identifiable and understood by a collective readership, Steinbeck reveals the universal consequences of this archetype’s traits on the character herself. Ma Joad is a universal character, yet her character also has a universal understanding and experience of tragedy and suffering. This makes her role and sacrifices as a caregiver even more meaningful.

Example 3: Sancho Panza: Jester ( Don Quixote , Miguel de Cervantes)

The most perceptive character in a play is the fool, because the man who wishes to seem simple cannot possibly be a simpleton.

In Miguel de Cervantes’ novel, Sancho Panza reflects the complexity and importance of the “jester” archetype. As Don Quixote’s sidekick, Sancho Panza provides humor and comic relief as a contrast to the title character’s idealism. However, as Sancho Panza’s character becomes more developed in the novel, his jester archetype develops as well into a voice of reason and example of empathy and loyalty. This is beneficial for the reader in that, though they are contrasting characters, Sancho Panza as a jester beside Don Quixote becomes a more legitimate and influential character. In turn, the jester archetype legitimizes the protagonist as well, making the novel’s fool the “most perceptive character.”

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8 Key Archetypes of the Hero’s Journey

by Lewis / July 14, 2018 / Character Development

Archetypes are something we experience every day…

An older coworker passing along important tips at your new job or a friend turns out to be talking behind your back. Most of us can recognize these as archetypes, but can we apply these familiar patterns to our fictional worlds and characters? The answer is a resounding yes!

Just as we see these character archetypes mirrored in our own lives, they’ll show up in our storytelling as well. Not only do they provide guidelines for making our characters feel like real people, but they can add a whole new layer of complexity and depth to our stories too.

What Is an Archetype?

• 1 What Is an Archetype?
• 2 Our Case Study: Solo
• 3.1 The Hero:
• 3.2 The Shadow:
• 3.3 The Mentor:
• 3.4 The Ally:
• 3.5 The Threshold Guardian:
• 3.6 The Herald:
• 3.7 The Trickster:
• 3.8 The Shapeshifter:
• 4 Repeat Archetypes and How They Work
• 5 Using Archetypes in Your Own Novel

An archetype is a repeated motif or trait found in storytelling.

Based on that definition, you might initially think of the classic “damsel in distress” or “knight in shining armor” from European fairy tales. Both of these do fall under the umbrella of archetypes, however, these aren’t the archetypes we’ll be exploring here.

Instead, the character archetypes of the Hero’s Journey are universal archetypes, roles all characters can fill at different points along their journey. These archetypes help you flesh out your story with a complete cast, while ensuring no character exists without a purpose.

“The archetypes are part of the universal language of storytelling, and a command of their energy is as essential to the writer as breathing.” – Christopher Vogler, The Writer’s Journey

While most of these ideas originated with Joseph Campbell’s Monomyth and the Hero’s Journey, these eight universal archetypes are actually based on Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s Journey. This book is beyond excellent, and breaks down the ideas of Campbell into a more usable storytelling guide—versus the highly academic The Hero With a Thousand Faces .

Both books are well worth your time, but we’ll be covering Vogler’s description of character archetypes here.

Of course, throughout this article I’ll assume you have at least a basic understanding of the Hero’s Journey. If you’re not familiar with this story structure, then check out my breakdown of the Hero’s Journey here.

Our Case Study: Solo

Rather, Solo is great for studying universal archetypes because each of its characters exhibits archetypal roles in interesting ways. Far from being stereotypes, Solo proves that these universal archetypes are the building blocks for forming unique characters.

For those unfamiliar with the movie, Solo is the origin story of Han Solo from the original Star Wars trilogy—and there will be major spoilers for Solo in this article.

Please enter at your own risk.

If you wish to continue but need a refresher on the plot, check out the Movie Structure Archives entry for Solo. It’ll give you a full breakdown of all the plot points I’ll be referencing here.

The 8 Universal Character Archetypes

You’re likely already familiar with the basics of the Hero archetype. After all, your protagonist will fill this role for most of your story as they overcome their flaws, drive your plot forward, and make important sacrifices.

Ultimately, their decisions will determine the outcome of the Climax .

However, other characters can also wear the Hero archetype at different points in your story. An Ally may become the Hero while your protagonist is incapacitated, or a Trickster may face a sudden change of heart. This dynamic allows other characters to temporarily take the spotlight and fulfill important story functions or resolve subplots.

In our case study, Han Solo fills the role of the Hero, though various Allies such as Val also fill it under special circumstances.

This makes sense because—beyond being on all the posters—this is Han’s journey. He grows the most from beginning to end, and is the catalyst for the movie’s progression. When the cast gets into a tight spot with Dryden Vos, it’s Han’s choices that propel them into the conflict. Not only that, but he is who the audience identifies with the most, meaning he checks all the boxes of the Hero archetype.

Of course, because the Hero is such a central archetype, it also has a whole host of specific traits and trials that go along with it. For more on the Hero’s character arc, check out this article.

The Shadow:

Just as the Hero archetype aligns with your protagonist, the Shadow is linked to your antagonist. This archetype seeks the antithesis of your Hero’s goals, often the destruction of what the Hero wishes to preserve.

Essentially, the Shadow embodies the dark aspects of the Hero.

The Shadow is meant to personify the suppressed wounds and inner struggles that the Hero will need to overcome—and this is why antagonists are often called “foil characters.” They’re a warning about what your protagonist will become if they fail to learn.

Of course, just like many characters can act as the Hero, many characters take on aspects of the Shadow. Your Hero may behave like the Shadow in moments. Allies, Heralds, and Threshold Guardians may do so as well, allowing you to create depth in characters that have thus far served only one purpose.

In Solo, Dryden Vos—from his name to his appearance and demeanor—screams antagonist. Because of this, it’s fairly obvious that Vos serves as the Shadow for most of the story.

However, he’s not the only character who plays this role.

While it’s easy to see Vos as the Shadow, Qi’ra actually fills this archetype in an even more crucial way. You see, Qi’ra’s role as a Shadow is intrinsically tied to Han’s character arc. Both begin from the same place and both are seeking to escape to a better life, but where Han’s journey molds him into a Hero, Qi’ra becomes a Shadow. This is a powerful contrast, and one we’ll be returning to later in the article.

The Mentor:

Acting as the Hero’s main guidance throughout their journey, the Mentor comes in many forms, but they always serve a critical purpose.

An elderly woman giving a soon-to-be bride a magic mirror to see the true face of her new husband or a veteran sports coach training young players both embody the Mentor archetype. This archetype is there to equip the Hero through knowledge, encouragement, and skills that allow them to overcome the conflict of the story and eventually surpass their flaws.

Of course, Mentors are a great opportunity to add depth to a story.

Because of this, Mentors often take on aspects of Threshold Guardians as Heroes prove their worth in exchange for help. Meanwhile, Shadow Mentors may seem to guide the Hero while actually misleading them—sometimes maliciously, sometimes mistakenly.

For example, while Han works under the guidance of a variety of Mentors throughout Solo , Tobias Beckett fills this role most often. He guides Han in how to deal with Vos, he teaches Han about this new world of crime, and he encourages Han at every step to leave it. Tobias clearly wears the mask of the Mentor archetype, but we’ll be coming back to him soon, as that isn’t the only archetype he wears.

The third of the well-known archetypes, Allies are seen in every story.

After all, Heroes need a friend to lean on, someone to lighten the load of the journey or to practice their growing skills with. That’s the role of the Ally, seen through characters like Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings , or Toto in The Wizard of Oz .

Because of how broad this archetype is, it serves many functions and can take on the aspects of many other archetypes. An Ally might act as a Mentor or may descend into a period of being a Shadow or Trickster. Thanks to this complexity, Allies are a great tool for humanizing your Hero, relieving tension, and furthering explore your story’s themes through subplots.

Fortunately, Ally archetypes are usually easy to identify, and primary Ally for Han is Chewbacca.

Audiences knew Chewie well before the story of Solo began, and he has served the same Ally role throughout the Star Wars series. Chewie is someone for Han to banter with and rely on, and he ends the movie as Han’s only lasting companion. While other characters such as Lando and Qi’ra wear the Ally archetype for only a short period of time, Chewie remains an Ally archetype for the entirety of Han’s life.

The Threshold Guardian:

Often an aspect of the Shadow, Threshold Guardians are there to represent the fears of your Hero and to challenge them as they progress along their journey. Of course, much like the midterm exams you may have had in school, Threshold Guardians aren’t the final test. Still, without your Hero proving they’ve mastered their new skills, these Guardians will prevent them from reaching their final test at all.

While Threshold Guardians are often henchmen of the Shadow, Mentors and Allies can also fulfill this role. For example, an Ally who has second thoughts about their quest might challenge the resolve of your Hero, forcing them to overcome their own doubts to convince their uncertain ally.

One of the primary Threshold Guardians on Han’s journey—though there are many—is a familiar character: Tobias Beckett.

Beckett’s role as a Threshold Guardian cannot go understated, and he actually embodies this role before he takes on the mantle of Mentor. When Han is struggling to get out of the Imperial Army, Tobias refuses to allow him into his gang and even gives him up to Imperial forces as a traitor. Fortunately, Han is persistent, and proves his value to the gang through his quick thinking. Only after he proves himself does Tobias allow him to join, fulfilling the role of the Threshold Guardian.

The Herald:

The Herald’s name gives away much of its function—your story’s Herald is there to give the Call to Adventure, to foreshadow the coming conflict, and to warn the audience that your Hero’s Ordinary World will soon fall away.

Based on this description, the Herald may sound like another aspect of the Shadow, and it certainly can be. However, it can also be a positive force, such as the spitfire young girl who coaxes the lonely bounty hunter out of his shell in, True Grit .

In Solo , the Herald is a character we’ve mentioned before.

From the start of Han’s journey, his mission has been the same—go back for Qi’ra. When he gets caught up with Beckett and his gang, this is still his focus. However, when he finally finds Qi’ra again, she’s not the scrappy child he remembers. This Qi’ra is powerful, elegant, respected, and under the frightening control of Vos.

Suddenly the dynamics of Han’s journey have shifted, and he can no longer live with the “one-day” mentality he had previously been had. His goal becomes urgent and firmly focused on the present, all thanks to Qi’ra’s role as the Herald.

The Trickster:

Next up, we’ll be looking at the Trickster archetype. A classic comedy character seen in sidekicks from a variety of genres, Tricksters are a great way to manage the pace your story. These moments of comedy relieve the tension built up by more action-packed moments, letting your readers take a moment to breathe.

Used in reverse, Tricksters are also great at increasing the weight of key scenes.

A character that’s been light-hearted throughout your story can suddenly turn serious as they approach the Climax. Your readers will take notice, and will soon find themselves anxiously wondering about what’s to come. If this previously comedic character is suddenly changing their tune, then the stakes of the adventure must be rising.

Serving as the Trickster in Solo , we have another repeat character from the original Star Wars trilogy: Lando Calrissian, along with his droid L3-37.

They provide the audience with plenty of antics and absurdities, lightening the mood between darker segments. For periods of the story Lando also serves as an Ally, but his true alliance is always with himself. Fortunately this isn’t malicious and is instead played for laughs, making him a strong Trickster character.

The Shapeshifter:

If you like to fill your stories with suspense you likely have one—if not many—important Shapeshifter characters.

Like the example of the traitorous friend we talked about at the start of this article, the Shapeshifter shows a different face when looked at from different angles. Seductresses, both sexually and in other ways, work to trick the Hero by presenting an alluring offer to their problems while seeking to trap or defeat them when they aren’t looking.

Shapeshifters aren’t always Shadows either.

For instance, the Hero may believe they have an Ally only to find a Shadow, leaving them betrayed and confused. Other times the Shapeshifter may start out as a Shadow, before becoming an Ally later on. This flexibility lets you layer the Shapeshifter archetype into existing characters to create suspense and tension in your story.

Unfortunately for Han, one of his key allies and his Mentor both embody the Shapeshifter archetype, causing suffering on two fronts. For starters, Beckett spends much of the movie acting as a pseudo father-figure, only to betray Han to Vos. This forces Han to kill Beckett to save himself and Chewie, robbing him of his Mentor figure.

Qi’ra engages in a similar betrayal after killing Vos. Han believes he has achieved his goal and that the pair can finally be together, but Qi’ra reveals her allegiance to the Sith and abandons Han. Her betrayal is arguably even more painful for Han than Beckett’s, as it robs him of everything he’s worked towards on his journey.

Repeat Archetypes and How They Work

By this point in the article, you may be wondering…

Why does Qi’ra show up in so many of these archetypes?

Well, to a large extent, this is a sign of how complex her character is. At its core,  Solo is about Han and Qi’ra’s shared journey. While Han takes the traditional Hero’s path, Qi’ra represents the failed Hero.

In Qi’ra’s desperation to improve her life, she accepts the horrible actions committed by herself and other to gain power in exchange for using that power to protect herself. While the Climax sees Han letting go of his past and adhering to his moral compass, Qi’ra gives into her inner struggle, choosing security at the expense of happiness.

Ultimately, her archetypal roles reflect her struggle against herself. In the end, power and safety are more important than anything else—she’s suffered too much to make any other choice.

Using Archetypes in Your Own Novel

Like many other aspects of story structure , the archetypes of the Hero’s Journey are a guide—and as you’ve seen, they can be combined to create an infinite cast of characters. To help manage this complexity, I would recommend thinking of these archetypes in terms of primary and secondary archetypes.

• Primary Archetype:  the main role the character embodies for the majority of their story.
• Secondary Archetype: the other, smaller archetypal roles they play during specific moments.

Each character has a primary archetype, such as the Mentor, and at different stages of the journey will wear secondary archetypes, such as the Trickster.

From there, if you feel someone is missing from your cast of characters, look at what archetypes aren’t represented. Likewise, if your cast feels bloated, look for characters with repeated archetypes you can remove or combine into one. As we’ve seen, individual characters can serve many archetypal roles, making extraneous characters often unnecessary.

Above all, I would recommend reading up on both the work of Joseph Campbell and Christopher Vogler. Each of them have a lot to offer, and they go into much more detail than I can here.

How do these archetypes appear in your own story? Let me know in the comments!

Thoughts on 8 key archetypes of the hero’s journey.

I’ve always thought that Qi’ra chooses safety in the end, yes, but is also a hero because she saves Han. She takes all eyes off of him and buys his freedom by absorbing responsibility.

Thanks for this.

I loved how detailed these descriptions are. I can see I need to learn more about shapeshifters and my first thought is going to be taking one of the antagonists in my story and shifting them over to being an ally character. This is going to be interesting.

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What Are Character Archetypes? 16 Archetypes, Plus Examples

by Fija Callaghan

Have you ever stopped to wonder why classic stories seem to have so many elements in common? We see the same types of characters in everything from 18th-century literature, to contemporary novels, to modern film and TV. And yet, each story feels as fresh and engaging as if we were seeing it for the first time.

This is because of archetypes: the timeless lineup of players that has stayed with us for generations because they’ve been proven to make effective stories.

Archetypal characters are successful in literature because they reflect real human truths that exist in every one of us. Let’s look at what archetypes are, some of the common archetypes that will populate your work, and how to subvert archetypes in bold new ways.

What are character archetypes?

A character archetype is a recurring stock character that represents something universal in our human experience. They’re immediately recognizable within novels, films, and other narrative media as fitting a predetermined pattern, even if certain details like names and physical attributes change. Writers can use these familiar patterns to engage with readers in a comfortable and relatable way.

Archetypes create an immediate sense of familiarity, even in an unfamiliar story, because they’re people that we’ve met time and time again. Even though we’ve seen them and their stories a hundred times, they still have the power to surprise us.

This isn’t quite the same as a stock character. Stock characters and archetypes are sometimes used interchangeably, but while an archetypal character represents a universal truth, a stock character is a more narrow character type with particular personality traits. Some examples might be things like “the bad boy,” “the mad scientist,” “the benevolent ruler.” They don’t necessarily have the same negative connotations as a stereotype (we’ll look more at stereotypes below), but they do represent a popular cliché.

By understanding character archetypes and applying them to our writing, we can connect with the stories our readers have grown up with and immerse them in the world of our own story from the very beginning. Then our readers get to see how we’ve taken these common character archetypes and used them in surprising new ways to create dynamic, multilayered characters that propel our story forward.

Character archetypes vs. story archetypes

In literature you’ll hear about two different kinds of archetypes: character archetypes and story archetypes. Both of these literary devices represent universal patterns that we can recognize in almost all stories across cultures throughout history.

The difference is that while character archetypes refer to the individual people that populate the world of your story—such as heroes, villains, mentors, and others that we’ll look at further below— story archetypes refer to the patterns of events and themes that drive the story towards its conclusion.

What’s the difference between archetypes and stereotypes?

Character archetypes and stereotypes share a lot of similarities, but the main difference is that character archetypes represent inherent truths in human nature, while stereotypes represent a pattern of (usually negative) traits that have become attributed to a particular gender, culture, or type of person.

Stereotypes are often born from one small true thing—that may only have been true for one person or one small group of people—which then grows into a vast generalization. These generalizations are flat, uninteresting, and contain nothing of the beautiful complexity that human beings have as individuals.

Examples of stereotypes are things like a ditzy prom queen, a shy nerd, a dumb sports athlete, the girl-next-door, an absent-minded professor, an idealistic starving artist, or a schoolyard bully.

Stereotypes rarely accomplish anything other than making your story flat, uninteresting, and cliché. Stories stuffed full of stereotypical characters are usually forgotten as soon as the book is closed, instead of becoming a story that will stay with its readers for generations.

As a writer, you have the entire landscape of the human condition from which to fashion your characters. That’s exciting and inspiring, and a stereotype that makes its way into your story is nothing more than a missed opportunity to create memorable characters that are dynamic and real.

Why use character archetypes in writing?

Even though the common character archetypes we’re going to show you are all very different, they share one important element: each of them represents a small piece of ourselves—of what it is to be human. Everyone has the capacity to be a reluctant hero, a mentor, a lover, even a villain. By creating stories built out of these universal ideas, we’re speaking to a very real truth that our readers will recognize, because these truths also exist in them.

By using these truths of our collective unconscious, you’re starting out with a structural framework that reflects the entire spectrum of the human condition. Then you can enhance that framework with context, themes, and other literary devices to create a story that will resonate with every reader.

The 16 classic character archetypes

Unlike stereotypes, which are extremely limited in their scope, character archetypes offer you a base structure from which you can begin building the people of your story world. Here are the 16 classic archetypes that you can use in your writing.

1. The Hero

The Hero is the axis on which a story revolves. They’re usually thrown into extraordinary circumstances beyond their control through which they need to fight for a singular objective. Along the way the hero’s strength will be tested in a number of ways—maybe physically, mentally, spiritually, and/or morally.

These trials will reveal exceptional strengths that set them apart from other characters in the story. These might be things like supernatural powers or a momentous birthright, or it might be something simple that comes from their humanity—a remarkable sense of compassion, an iron determination and sense of self, great courage in the face of terrifying acts. They might be natural leaders, or have a heightened survival instinct. Heroes are not flawless (pro tip: they’d be quite boring if they were), but the strength they exhibit in times of hardship is what will make your reader believe in them and follow them right up until the end.

One of the oldest universal story patterns in literature is called “The Hero’s Journey.” Also called the “Monomyth,” the hero’s journey follows the protagonist through an adventurous cycle of navigating an irrevocably changed world, passing through an initiation or coming-of-age, achieving a goal, and returning home to rebuild from a new beginning. Although your hero is the central axis of your story, they don’t carry it alone (even if sometimes they think they do). Along the way the hero will meet many of the character archetypes listed below—some as obstacles, and some as friends.

Examples of heroes in literature are Wonder Woman, Harry Potter, Luke Skywalker, and Sir Gawain from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight .

2. The Shadow

The Shadow is a dark reflection of the hero. They might show us weaknesses in the hero that they fight to keep hidden, or what the hero could become if they allowed those weaknesses to consume them. In many ways, we all have this “shadow personality” (psychoanalyst Carl Jung believed it was an integral part of the human psyche) but in literature the shadow will either be a person mirroring the hero’s darkest traits and their darkest potential, or a very distinctive facet of the hero—for example, if they change their personality completely while under the influence of drugs, manipulation, or some external force. Very often you’ll see these characters take on two separate names for their opposing polarities, such as Angel and Angelus on the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer .

Other examples of shadow archetypes are Gollum in The Lord of the Rings and Mr. Hyde in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde .

3. The Sidekick

Sidekicks have been popularized by the comic book medium, but the idea has existed for much longer. The sidekick’s main role is to offer the hero a way to stay grounded despite all the obstacles they’re facing. This might be through comic relief or through cautionary advice (or both). The sidekick lacks whatever fundamental value has put the hero on their path—perhaps they’re not as brave, or not as strong, or not the “chosen one”—and they don’t carry the weight of the world in the same way. What they can do is offer a light in the darkness when your hero begins to lose some integral piece of themselves. Your sidekick keeps the hero from getting too close to the edge.

Very often sidekicks in literature serve as a foil character to the protagonist. This means that they work in juxtaposition to the hero to draw attention to certain aspects of their personality. A great example of this is Batman and Robin, where everything about Robin’s brightly colored costume, his chattiness, and his positive energy contrast the darkness of Batman’s character.

Other examples of sidekicks include Friday from Robinson Crusoe and Ron Weasley from Harry Potter.

4. The Villain

The villain archetype is the big baddie of your story —the challenge to which all roads lead. This character has an objective that is in direct conflict with the hero’s , and in order for them to reach their goal, they need to make sure that the main character is unable to reach theirs . This might be through killing them, humiliating them, discrediting them, or otherwise forcing them into submission.

The villain always has a reason for doing the terrible things that they do, even if that reason is twisted beyond what we might understand in our own perceptions and values. The best villains in literature are ones who truly believe that they’re doing the right thing, but have allowed their vision of the “right thing” to become clouded with ambition, fear, or pain.

Some iconic villains in literature are Valentine from The Mortal Instruments , Professor Moriarty from the “Sherlock Holmes” stories, and Shere Khan from The Jungle Book .

5. The Lover

In a story, the lover archetype really just wants everyone to get along. They’re usually a “good” character, in the sense of having a functioning moral compass, but they lack the courage, sense of injustice, and capacity for self-sacrifice that the hero has. Though guided by the needs of their heart, lovers tend to take the path of least resistance that brings the least amount of harm to themselves and those they care for. Many traditionally artistic characters will fall into this category.

In some ways, the lover is a reflection of the trickster archetype, which we’ll look at further below. Both try to stay out of trouble and have a limited scope of what’s worth fighting for.

Examples of great lover archetypes in stories are Dustfinger in Inkheart and Pippin from The Lord of the Rings .

6. The Mentor

One of the most essential figures in the hero’s journey, the mentor is older (sometimes), wiser (always), and has knowledge and experiences beyond that of the hero’s. They may also have supernatural powers or a particularly specialized skill set. The mentor serves to give the protagonist a little nudge (or a violent shove) forward onto their path, bringing out the potential of what that hero will become.

The mentor is also a great tool for exposition and immersing your reader into your story. As the mentor teaches the hero about their world, the threats they’ll be facing, the steps they can take to overcome those threats, and how to develop the skills necessary to do so, your readers will learn everything they need to know about your story world right alongside them.

The most recognizable mentor figure in modern literature is the wizard Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings . Other examples include Haymitch Abernath from The Hunger Games and Merlin from the tales of King Arthur.

7. The Mother

Made famous by the godmothers of classic fairy tales, the mother archetype represents a supportive, nurturing presence in the hero’s life. They won’t always be a literal mother (although they can be); they don’t even necessarily need to be female. The mother character is strong and wise, but they differ from the mentor figure in that they don’t give the hero the tools they need to move forward on their journey; rather, they give the hero a safe place to come home to, a place to heal.

Depending on where the hero is on their journey, there may be more than one character filling this role. Aunt May from “Spider-man” and Nokomis from The Song of Hiawatha are examples of mother archetypes.

8. The Everyman

The everyman character is a projection of the reader. They’re an utterly normal person thrown into remarkable circumstances, and they adapt to the situation in much the same way that any one of us would. They usually say what they’re thinking and call things out that don’t make sense, and their normality might make them an outsider in a world where very un-normal things are happening. This archetype functions to bring some perspective to the story and make the plot more relatable to us as readers.

The everyman might be an unwilling hero, or they might be a sidekick or other supporting character that acts as a link between the main character and the reader.

Dr. John Watson from the “Sherlock Holmes” stories is an everyman—faced with a genius best friend and some equally genius villains, he brings a comforting averageness to their world. Other examples of the everyman archetype are Arthur Dent from The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and Simon Lewis from The Mortal Instruments .

9. The Damsel

The iconic damsel-in-distress is one of the most recognizable literary tropes , but this character can take many forms of any age and any gender. Sometimes called the “innocent,” they represent naivety, inexperience, and trust. The damsel is similar to the everyman in that they see everything with new eyes; but unlike the everyman, the damsel never gives up the idea that there’s good in the world. They cling to their innocence even when the events around them threaten to strip it away. Unfortunately, this determined positivity can lead them into some difficult situations, often requiring the services of a hero to rescue them.

In a story, this archetype reminds us that there is always hope and wonder to be found in the world. Examples of classic damsels in literature are Alice from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Tiny Tim from Dickens’ A Christmas Carol .

10. The Trickster

Tricksters are perhaps our most enduring character archetype , even more so than heroes. Before storytellers were repeating tales of Beowulf and King Arthur, they were gathering around the fire listening to stories about Coyote, Raven, and the spider god Anansi. Tricksters are neither good nor evil, but use cunning and cleverness to further their own ends. They might help the hero or they might hinder them, depending on which best suits their own agenda at the time.

The trickster has given rise to one of our most popular modern archetypes, the antihero . Antiheroes are usually tricksters who, rather begrudgingly, have become invested in something more than just their own survival. They then need to reassess their goals which launch them onto a new path to becoming a hero in their own right.

Examples of famous tricksters in literature include Puck from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream , the Weasley twins from the Harry Potter series, and Loki from Norse mythology.

11. The Guardian

The guardian archetype is someone who stands at a threshold, holding the hero back from continuing on their journey. Guardians are usually quite single-minded and fixated on their goal of keeping two worlds, people, or experiences separated. Sometimes this might be someone guarding a literal doorway, such as the Sphinx of Egyptian mythology; other times it might be a new stage of life, such as an admissions officer who stands between a student and their dream school.

Guardians challenge the hero to reassess their situation and look at things in a new way. If the hero continues using the same strengths, tools, or techniques as they always have, they won’t make it past the threshold. They’ll need to try something different, probably something less comfortable, and exercise a new skill in order to continue towards their goal. By the time they make their way across the obstacle, they will have grown as a result of stretching the limits of who they can be.

Examples of guardians in literature are the Wall guards from Neil Gaiman’s Stardust , the gatekeeper to the Emerald City in The Wizard of Oz , and the three-headed dog Fluffy from the Harry Potter series.

12. The Herald

The herald is a character that foretells a great change , usually near the beginning of the story. After they’ve made their appearance, nothing will be the same for the hero again. An example of a herald can be found in the classic fairy tale Cinderella , where a messenger shows up to announce that the king is seeking a match for his son, launching the plot into action.

Although the herald’s job is to set the events of the plot in motion, they may also hang around to fill another role in the story later on. In The Hobbit , for instance, Gandalf begins as the herald by marking Bilbo’s door, and then shifts into a mentor figure once the story is on its feet. Other examples of heralds in literature are Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games and the three witches in Macbeth .

13. The Scapegoat

In literature, the scapegoat archetype is someone who takes the blame for another’s misdeeds. This often works a bit like a reverse guardian—their defeat clears the way for the villain to move forward towards their goal. Using a scapegoat allows your characters to unite against a common perceived enemy, thereby (temporarily) dispersing whatever tensions had been brewing. This is a useful literary device for turning the plot in a new direction.

Daphne Du Maurier’s The Scapegoat explores this idea in depth, looking at how someone might handle being burdened with another’s malefactions. Scapegoats in literature include Snowball from Animal Farm and Wilmer from The Maltese Falcon .

14. The Outlaw

The outlaw’s key strengths are their independence and the sense of self that keeps them from bending to societal constraints. This doesn’t always make them a lot of friends, but the ones they have are loyal and share the same ideas about what matters in life. The outlaw is often romanticized and well-liked, but other characters may grow to resent them through their envy of the outlaw’s lifestyle and freedom from expectations.

The outlaw is a major archetype in both The Adventures of Robin Hood and the original Spiderman comics, where the outlaw’s antagonists—the Sheriff of Nottingham and the newspaper man J. Jonah Jameson—express their hidden envy of a life that they could never have. Sometimes this animosity will put the outlaw onto a new path, turning them into a hero as their self-contained existence begins crumbling down.

Other outlaws in literature are Roux from Chocolat by Joanne Harris, and Maurice Leblanc’s character Arsène Lupin from the series of the same name.

15. The Rebel

Also called the revolutionary, the rebel archetype epitomizes “chaotic good”; they have a cause and they’re not afraid to burn a few bridges, or cities, in its name. The rebel sees something deeply wrong in their society and takes it upon themselves to change it, because nobody else is going to. The rebel archetype is deeply protective of the ones they love but tend to alienate all but the most devoted due to their inflammatory ideas.

The rebel is a natural leader, and their passion for their cause makes people want to follow them. This passion is boundless and transcends minor annoyances like common sense, which means that this archetype can be a hero, a villain, or an antihero that falls somewhere in the middle. Examples of rebels in literature include Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games , Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird , and Lyra Belacqua from His Dark Materials .

16. The Ruler

The ruler is a natural leader in a position of power, such as a monarchy, a government office, or the head of a powerful company. Unlike the leadership skills displayed by the rebel, the ruler archetype thrives on order, stability, and tradition. They thrive in the status quo. They can be a force for good or for ill, but they will usually be put at odds with the hero for one simple reason: the ruler likes the way things are and doesn’t want them to change.

While every one of us has the capacity to lead in times of conflict, not everyone handles being in a position of authority very well. Power corrupts, and even good people can find their values tested if they’re given too much power too quickly. This is why many ruler archetypes find themselves embroiled in conflict with those around them.

Some ruler archetypes in literature are King Uther from the Arthurian legends and Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada .

How to use character archetypes in your story

As you can see, character archetypes represent a range of people from all across literature. Don’t feel like you need to limit the cast of your story to just one of these archetypes—sometimes characters will fill more than one role in a story, or their role will change. Let’s look at a few things to keep in mind as you use archetypes to build characters.

1. Give your characters room to grow

Although character archetypes are useful building blocks, they essentially represent a static blueprint. In a good story, your characters will change over time as they learn, make mistakes, go through difficult experiences and come out stronger on the other side. If you begin with a character archetype, don’t feel that you need to stay within its boundaries for the entire story. Give your character permission to surprise you, break their molds, enter into a different archetype along the way, or become something new entirely.

For example, you may have crafted a perfect sidekick for your hero. But what happens if the hero is killed in battle? How will the sidekick deal with an irrevocably altered reality where their role is no longer what they thought it was? Or maybe your character is a lover, staying out of harm’s way until they see or hear something that they can no longer turn away from. Let the story take your characters in unexpected directions.

2. Subvert expectations

Many of these character archetypes come with classic preconceptions that have become ingrained in our minds over time. These are things like the hero as a burly, club-wielding man; the damsel as a slender, doe-eyed blonde; or the mentor as a white-haired sage in the twilight of his life. These clichéd, overused ideas have fallen out of favor in contemporary literature, and writers are constantly coming up with new and fresh ways to look at these classic archetypes. See how you can take the figures you know from literature and turn them just a little bit off-center.

Instead of writing a mentor that’s a hundred and eighty and looks like your typical wizard cosplay, why not try something new? Maybe your mentor is a fourteen-year-old girl whose experiences as a computer hacker have made her wise beyond her years. Or maybe your mentor is an award-winning ballet dancer who’s training her understudy in secret. If you want a damsel archetype in your story, perhaps instead of being a dizzy love of interest for your hero, your damsel is the hero’s eternally optimistic, chronically ill younger brother. See how far you can push these character traits to bring a fresh look to your story.

3. Combine archetypes to create something new

Sometimes a character might fit into more than one archetype. As we saw above, the antihero is a perfect example of this composite character archetype, fulfilling the role of hero and trickster at the same time. See what else you can splice together to create exciting new people for your story. What happens when your hero’s mentor turns out to also be the villain? If the villain was the one giving the hero the tools and drive to complete their journey, what was the real goal in the end? Suddenly your antagonist and their relationship with the hero is brimming with complexity.

What happens if your damsel finds themselves becoming the hero? How will someone used to being taken care of handle needing to suddenly take care of others? How will their determination to see the best in the world affect their need to make difficult choices? By combining different archetypes you can raise new questions and new ideas about your characters that give a deeper dimension to your story.

Character archetypes are an easy way to structure your story

Generations of writers and storytellers have perfected these character structures in literature because they’ve recognized that they’re facets of each and every one of us. While you don’t need to limit your characters to just one archetype, they give you a reliable place to begin building from the ground up—a place that your readers will recognize as an old friend, because they’ve met them in another incarnation before. Your characters will all be as unique as you are, but they’ll also be born out of a rich heritage of storytelling.

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The hero’s journey archetype: a call to adventure.

• February 26, 2020
• TEDxMileHigh Admin
• Art & Design

Think of the last movie you watched. Think of everything that happens in this film. Think about the characters, plot, conflict, and ending. Now think of a different movie or even a book. Think about the same elements. Do you notice a trend? Yes, all stories are different and have different characters and outcomes, but have you noticed how most characters in a story follow a similar path?  This path— this overlaying arc— is called the Hero’s Journey. Joseph Campbell first introduced this term in 1949, but the hero’s journey archetype has a longstanding place in storytelling.

Essentially, every character, whether in a book or a film, follows the same path and encounters three fundamental experiences along the way— separation, initiation, and return.

This is the beginning of our Hero’s Journey series where we will explore the archetype and how it shows up in our everyday lives. 

As we lead up to TEDxMileHigh’s Summer 2020 event, Journey , discover that this journey is more relatable than you think—and that you may be the hero or heroine of your own journey.

The Hero’s Journey Archetype

So what exactly are we talking about here? We are diving into and dissecting the most basic form of storytelling, the arc that can be laid over any plotline and match it exactly, more or less.  We’re talking about how Harry Potter receives his Hogwarts letter and goes on this massive quest to ultimately defeat Lord Voldemort and save the wizarding world. Marlin travels the entire Pacific Ocean, meets Dori and some sharks along the way, and finds Nemo. Luke Skywalker trains with Master Yoda, discovers who his father is, and blows up the Death Star. 

All of these stories, every story, follow this hero’s journey archetype. It is the ultimate narrative archetype. And, you can break them all down into three basic points.

Whether they ask for it or not, something happens to the protagonist, or hero, that separates them from their ‘normal’ mundane world. This event, also termed the “call to adventure,” is the start of their journey, and it can manifest in different ways. 

In the hero’s journey, drawn out by Campbell in The Hero with a Thousand Faces , there are several sub-points that occur along the hero’s journey that accompany the three main encounters. In the separation stage, the hero receives some kind of aid to push them to the threshold of their adventure. This aid can be the discovery of supernatural powers or the hero’s realization that they are not totally who they think they are.

For example, Harry Potter’s call to adventure came bursting through the door on his 13th birthday in the form of Rubeus Hagrid and his acceptance letter from Hogwarts. Harry discovers and fully embraces his wizarding powers and thus is pushed to the threshold of the next part of his hero’s journey: the initiation.

This stage of the hero’s journey archetype takes up the bulk of the journey. Throughout this stage, the hero meets several sub-points along the way including the introduction of a helper, a mentor, and the trials and temptations that eventually lead to a major conflict. 

A classic example of this stage is Dorothy’s yellow-brick road journey to find the Wizard of Oz. Glenda, her mentor that she meets when she first lands in Oz, provides Dorothy with an answer to her problem (i.e., getting back home to Kansas) and aids her along the way. She meets helpers like the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion. On her journey, Dorothy also runs into conflict with the Wicked Witch of the West. 

A few flying monkeys and a conveniently placed water bucket later, Dorothy resolves, or melts, her conflict and is set to embark on the final part of her journey: the return.

This is the end of the hero’s journey. *Spoiler alert* Lord Voldemort dies, the Death Star blows up, and Dorothy makes it back to her family in Kansas. However, this resolution goes deeper than just a happy homecoming. In this stage, the hero returns but has changed. They have learned valuable information about themselves and the world around them. 

In some cases, the hero’s journey is not complete unless this knowledge is shared. For example, Luke Skywalker defeats the Dark Side but is also left with the responsibility to continue to teach and share the ways of the Jedi. Dorothy’s lesson is more personal. She learns that there is adventure out there over the rainbow, but she shouldn’t take her current life or family for granted.

The Hero’s Versus the Heroine’s Journey

The hero’s journey archetype is similar across seemingly every example. However, how does the journey differ for a female character?

Author Maureen Murdock has examined and written about a key difference in her work The Heroine’s Journey: A Woman’s Quest for Wholeness . In her response to Campbell’s initial publication of the hero’s journey, Murdock outlined the separate experience the contemporary women embark on in their own heroine’s journey.  

The three points along the journey are still the same. However, each stage consists of a deeper level of overcoming the expectations assumed by society. Essentially the journey “ involves the healing of the wounding of the feminine that exists deep within her and the culture,” says Murdock.

Returning to our Wizard of Oz example, Dorothy embarks on the quintessential heroine’s journey. During the separation stage, she has to overcome the expectations that the rest of her life will be spent on her family’s farm. Society’s expectations are that she will continue to support her uncles and follow in her aunt’s footsteps.  When she finally receives the adventure she is longing for, Dorothy has to overcome the notion that she can’t complete this journey on her own. She meets helpers along the way, but rather than depending on them, they depend on her to help, thus reversing society’s view of women . 

Upon her return, Dorothy learns that her life can be different and that she does not need to depend on her uncles. She can live her own life and have her own adventure all while still appreciating her family.

Are You a Hero or Heroine?

So, maybe you’ve read through these stages and are thinking ‘ That’s great! Why should I care? ’ Or maybe you’ve heard of the hero’s journey archetype before or you’ve at least noticed the trend in your favorites books or movies, but you don’t really see why it’s important. 

The hero’s journey is important because it’s personal.

We are all the heroes of our own lives. That is, we are the protagonist in our own story— we are the main character. We are all on our own hero’s journey. Fictional characters are based on human experiences, and this time, that experience is ours. It’s our lives.

We are all in different stages of this journey but are on it, or will be on it soon. It’s important to understand where you are in your life in order to see where you are going.  Maybe you’re in the midst of massive conflict and it seems endless and impossible. The hero’s journey tells us that this stage of your life is temporary and the next stage will be one of learning and resolution. 

Maybe you’re hearing that call to adventure or an opportunity has presented itself and you’re unsure of what to do. The hero’s journey tells you to take that leap. Cross that threshold and discover your path, but be prepared for some conflict along the way. 

The hero’s journey is important because it is a map, a cheat sheet, to life. Whether you wield a lightsaber or not, we are all on this same journey. And knowing where you are will give you a glimpse into where you are headed. 

The hero’s journey is relatable and personal. We all find ourselves on some part of the path eventually. But what happens when you deviate from that path? Where are you on your path and who are the important characters in your journey? Stay tuned. We will explore the details of the hero’s journey archetype and discover just how relatable it is.

TEDxMileHigh is gearing up for its next event: Journey . This summer, we will explore the individual journeys that form societies, advance technologies, and inspire movements. If this article sparked your interest, and if you’re looking to dive deeper into your own personal life journey, join us on June 27th.

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