Mythic Heroic Archetype Overview
Archetype: formed by the repeated experiences in the lives of our ancestors
- Inherited in the “collective unconscious” of the human race (Carl Junger’s theory)
- Exposed in myth, religion, dreams, fantasies, and literature
- Evokes profound emotional response because reader already has the image in their mind
- Can be things, sequence of events, certain kind of place, talismatic objects, etc.
Archetypes are remarkably constant. Examples include...
1. Journey/Quest
2. Rite of passage (often compatible with #1)
3. Loss of/ search for Eden
4. Growth through conflict
5. Nature/Life cycle
6. Religion (search for God or a personal code)
7. Reconciliation of opposites
Symbols include: water, the sun, etc.
Mythic Hero Components
1. Obscure mysterious background
Hero is from outside the community OR if hero is within community, they are hiding an innate difference.
-The “threshold guardian”
Test which separates hero from the adventure/journey. May be a person, thing, or event. Note: if hero is from outside of a community, they have no ties. If from within community, hero must break ties before quest begins.
2. Hero is not invincible, but not a fool.
Usually has a weakness (kryptonite). Hero often has average intellect, but possesses common sense. (Oh how I envy that trait!)
3. The path is not always clear or direct, but there is a goal.
Hero may know destination, but not how to get there OR hero knows the route, but not the obstacles.
4. Journey is filled with danger, lonliness, and temptation.
Burden is only on the hero’s shoulders, and no one else understands. Frequently tempted to abandon the quest.
5. Hero often accompanied by friends, servants, or disciples to offset lonliness.
None quite understand the hero’s responsibilities, though.
-There is a guide.
Often an unlikely character revealed after initial test. May have an unknown connection to opposing force.
6. Things are not spelled out or given to the hero.
Never warned of danger. Gets into trouble before final test.
7. Descent into Darkness
This can be literal (cave and dark imagery common) or figurative. It is the lowest point when a hero faces the greatest conflict. Victory is symbplized by return to the light by which the hero is cleansed and renewed.
8. Difference in hero after descent
Hero has new maturity and wisdom. Other characters do not understand the change or that the goal was only a symbol.
9. Hero suffers a physical wound.
May heal, or hero may be killed. Does not matter as long as the goal is accomplished/mission achieved.
10. Hero’s knowledge is brought back to the community.
The hero may bring back their experiences. If hero dies, some other character will fullfill the duty.
Other Notes:
-Huck Finn is a picaresque story because it occurs in episodic chapters/stories.
-No Name Women is not a mythic heroic archetype tale. In fact, it is the antithesis of the mythic heroic archetype because the aunt dies alone and ashamed without accomplishing anything noble. White Tigers, however, follows the mythic heroic archetype.
-There are many more mythic heroic archetype stories in which a male is the hero. Females are much harder to represent because of the inconveniance of childbirth and family values.
Good luck everyone,
Theresa
- Inherited in the “collective unconscious” of the human race (Carl Junger’s theory)
- Exposed in myth, religion, dreams, fantasies, and literature
- Evokes profound emotional response because reader already has the image in their mind
- Can be things, sequence of events, certain kind of place, talismatic objects, etc.
Archetypes are remarkably constant. Examples include...
1. Journey/Quest
2. Rite of passage (often compatible with #1)
3. Loss of/ search for Eden
4. Growth through conflict
5. Nature/Life cycle
6. Religion (search for God or a personal code)
7. Reconciliation of opposites
Symbols include: water, the sun, etc.
Mythic Hero Components
1. Obscure mysterious background
Hero is from outside the community OR if hero is within community, they are hiding an innate difference.
-The “threshold guardian”
Test which separates hero from the adventure/journey. May be a person, thing, or event. Note: if hero is from outside of a community, they have no ties. If from within community, hero must break ties before quest begins.
2. Hero is not invincible, but not a fool.
Usually has a weakness (kryptonite). Hero often has average intellect, but possesses common sense. (Oh how I envy that trait!)
3. The path is not always clear or direct, but there is a goal.
Hero may know destination, but not how to get there OR hero knows the route, but not the obstacles.
4. Journey is filled with danger, lonliness, and temptation.
Burden is only on the hero’s shoulders, and no one else understands. Frequently tempted to abandon the quest.
5. Hero often accompanied by friends, servants, or disciples to offset lonliness.
None quite understand the hero’s responsibilities, though.
-There is a guide.
Often an unlikely character revealed after initial test. May have an unknown connection to opposing force.
6. Things are not spelled out or given to the hero.
Never warned of danger. Gets into trouble before final test.
7. Descent into Darkness
This can be literal (cave and dark imagery common) or figurative. It is the lowest point when a hero faces the greatest conflict. Victory is symbplized by return to the light by which the hero is cleansed and renewed.
8. Difference in hero after descent
Hero has new maturity and wisdom. Other characters do not understand the change or that the goal was only a symbol.
9. Hero suffers a physical wound.
May heal, or hero may be killed. Does not matter as long as the goal is accomplished/mission achieved.
10. Hero’s knowledge is brought back to the community.
The hero may bring back their experiences. If hero dies, some other character will fullfill the duty.
Other Notes:
-Huck Finn is a picaresque story because it occurs in episodic chapters/stories.
-No Name Women is not a mythic heroic archetype tale. In fact, it is the antithesis of the mythic heroic archetype because the aunt dies alone and ashamed without accomplishing anything noble. White Tigers, however, follows the mythic heroic archetype.
-There are many more mythic heroic archetype stories in which a male is the hero. Females are much harder to represent because of the inconveniance of childbirth and family values.
Good luck everyone,
Theresa
posted by L Lazarow | 11:05 PM
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