Archetypes Flashcards
What do arche and typos mean?
arche means original and typos means form
Define archetype
symbol, theme, setting, or character type that recurs in different places so frequently as to suggest it embodies the essential element of human experience
Who came up with the saying of archetype?
CJ Jung who said it was a pattern of plot or character that evokes “racial memory”
apple tree
knowledge, temptation, or loss of innocence
weeds
evil or outcasts
Flowers
Beauty, strength, youth, and gentleness
Water
Washes away guilt, origin of life, regeneration, vehicle of cleansing
River
Fluidity of life, stream of life and death
Moon
Changing and returning shape and feminine symbol
Sun
Source of light, heat and life; masculine symbol
Cave
The maternal womb
Mountain
Places where Heaven and earth meet; often symbolic of human pride
Gold
The perfect metal; a reflection of heavenly life; wealth
Snow
White, pure; blanket which obscures, covers
Fog/mist
Confusion; represents isolation
Rain
Sadness or despair or new life (baptism of sorts)
Rainbows
Heralds of good; redemption and forgiveness; pathway between Heaven and Earth
Wind and storms
Violent human emotions
Lightning
The spark of life; can either be life-giving or death-dealing
Thunder
The voice of God or gods
Spring
Birth, new beginning
Summer
Childhood, freedom, carefree
Autumn
School/knowledge, adulthood, growing old (late autumn=nearing death)
Winter
Old age, death, sleep, hibernation, or stagnation
Christmas season
Birth, change for the better, hope in the midst of darkness
Easter season
Rebirth, enlightenment
Morning
Dawn, beginning, hope; symbolises birth/young life (similar to spring)
Afternoon
Childhood (similar to summer)
Evening
Adulthood, slowing down, coming to a close/end (similar to autumn)
Night
Old age, death, sleep, end, and hibernation
Dove
Peace, purity, simplicity
Fox
Slyness and cleverness
Raven
Death, destruction
Lion
Power, “king”
Peacock
Pride, vanity
Serpent
Temptation, evil
Mouse
Shyness, meekness
Owl
Wisdom, rational knowledge; messenger of death
Lamb
Serves as manifestation of the power of spring and renewal, sacrificial element, Jesus Christ, the children of God
Walls
Barriers between people, both physical and mental; barrier that shuts out the world
Windows
A barrier that can be seen through but still separates
Blood
Fire and the heat and vitality
Bones
The framework of the human body, strength and virtue
Eyes
Windows to the soul or the barometer of emotion
Key
The power and authority of letting in and shutting out
Red
Immoral, blood, passion, emotion; danger or daring; often associated with fire
Black
Seen as cold and negative suggesting passivity, death, ignorance, or evil
White
Innocence, life, light, purity, and enlightenment
Green
Inexperience; hope and new life; it is the color of plant life; jealousy; money
Yellow
Sickness, rotting, heat, decay, old age
Blue
Cool, calm, peaceful
Pink
Innocence, femininity
Purple
Royalty; bruising or pain
Brown
The color of the earth and ploughed land, represents humility and poverty
What are spheres of action?
Characters characterised as these things
Hero
Character that restores equilibrium and can be the central character or protagonist
Villain
Disrupts the narrative equilibrium
Provider/mentor
Gives the hero something that helps them resolve the narrative
Helper
Aids the hero in the task of restoring equilibrium
Princess/victim
Character most in danger by the villain and needs saving
The father gives the daughter to the hero at the end and may dispatch the hero
The dispatcher
Sends hero on task
False hero
Appears to be good, but reveals to be bad and undermines quest by pretending to aid
Archetypal plots
Flood, long-standing feud, long journey, faking madness, forbidden love, imminent end of the world, pride preceding a fall, pursuit of revenge, selling one’s soul to the devil for knowledge, and travel to the underworld
What does a forest represent?
Mystery
What does a garden represent?
Paradise or a haven
Park
Place for retreat and renewal
Throne room
Royalty, power, and where instruction is given
Town
Where rules control behavior
What are the different character types?
Caring mother and stern father, “damsel” in distress that is saved by and then marries the savior, guilty person looking for redemption, helpless old lady, mad scientist, oracle or prophet, orphaned royal child raised ignorant of heritage, star-crossed lovers, three women who tell the future, underdog who emerges victorious, villain in black, and wise elderly person as a mentor or teacher
