Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

ELA > Archetypes > Flashcards

Archetypes Flashcards

1
Q

The Quest

A

What the Hero must accomplish in order to bring fertility back to the wasteland, usually a search for some talisman, which will restore peace, order, and normalcy to a troubled land

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

The Task

A

The nearly superhuman feat(s) the Hero must perform in order to accomplish his quest.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

The Journey

A

The journey sends the Hero in search of some truth that will help save his kingdom.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

The Initiation

A

The adolescent comes into his maturity with new awareness and problems.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

The Ritual

A

The actual ceremonies the Initiate experiences that will mark his rite of passage into another state. A clear sign of the character’s role in his society

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

The Fall

A

The descent from a higher to a lower state of being usually as a punishment for transgression. It also involves the loss of innocence.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Death and Rebirth

A

The most common of all situational archetypes, this motif grows out of a parallel between the cycle of nature and the cycle of life. Thus morning and springtime represent birth, youth, or rebirth, while evening and winter suggest old age or death.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Battle between Good and Evil

A

Obviously, a battle between two primal forces. Mankind shows eternal optimism in the continual portrayal of good triumphing over evil despite great odds.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

The Unhealable Wound

A

Either a physical or psychological wound that cannot be fully healed. The wound symbolizes a loss of innocence.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

The Quest

A

What the Hero must accomplish in order to bring fertility back to the wasteland, usually a search for some talisman, which will restore peace, order, and normalcy to a troubled land.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

The Hero

A

The Hero is a protagonist whose life is a series of well-marked adventures. The circumstances of his birth are unusual, and he is raised by a guardian. He will have to leave his kingdom, only to return to it upon reaching manhood. Characterized by courage, strength, and honor, the hero will endure hardship, even risk his life for the good of all. Leaves the familiar to enter an unfamiliar and challenging world.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Young man from the Provinces

A

The Hero returns to his home and heritage where he is a stranger who can see new problems and new solutions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

The initiates

A

The Initiates are young heroes or heroines who must go through some training and ceremony before undertaking their quest.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

The Mentor

A

The Mentor is an older, wiser teacher to the initiates. He often serves as a father or mother figure. He gives the hero gifts (weapons, food, magic, information), serves as a role model or as hero’s conscience.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Mentor - Pupil Relationship

A

In this relationship, the Mentor teaches the Hero/pupil the necessary skills for surviving the quest.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

The Threshold Guardian

A

Tests the hero’s courage and worthiness to begin the journey

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Father - Son Conflict

A

In this relationship, the tension is built due to separation from childhood or some other source when the two meet as men.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Hunting Group of Companions

A

These are loyal companions willing to face hardship and ordeal in order to stay together.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Loyal Retainers

A

The Retainer’s duty is to reflect the nobility and power of the hero.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Friendly Beast

A

An animal companion showing that nature is on the side of the hero

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

The Shadow

A

A worthy opponent with whom the hero must struggle in a fight to the end. Must be destroyed or neutralized. Psychologically can represent the darker side of the hero’s own psyche.

22
Q

The Devil Figure

A

This character is evil incarnate.

23
Q

The Evil Figure with Ultimately Good Heart

A

A devil figure with the potential to be good. This person is usually saved by the love of the hero.

24
Q

The Creature of Nightmare

A

A monster usually summoned from the deepest, darkest part of the human psyche to threaten the lives of the hero/heroine. Often it is a perversion or desecration of the human body.

25
Q

The Scrapegoat

A

An animal, or more usually a human, whose death in a public ceremony expiates some taint or sin of a community. They are often more powerful in death than in life.

26
Q

The Outcast

A

A character banished from a social group for some real or imagined crime against his fellow man, usually destined to wander from place to place.

27
Q

The Platonic Ideal

A

A woman who is a source of inspiration to the hero, who has an intellectual rather than physical attraction to her

28
Q

Damsel in Distress

A

A vulnerable woman who needs to be rescued by the hero. She is often used as a trap to ensnare the unsuspecting hero.

29
Q

The Earth Mother

A

Symbolic of fruition, abundance, and fertility, this character traditionally offers spiritual and emotional nourishment to those with whom she comes in contact. Often depicted in earth colors, has large breasts and hips symbolic of her

30
Q

The Temptress or Black Goddess

A

Characterized by sensuous beauty, this woman is one to whom the protagonist is physically attracted and who ultimately brings about his downfall. May appear as a witch or vampire

31
Q

White Goddess

A

Good, beautiful maiden, usually blond, may make an ideal marriage partner; often has religious or intellectual overtones.

32
Q

The Unfaithful Wife

A

A woman married to a man she sees as dull or distant and is attracted to more virile or interesting men.

33
Q

Light vs. Darkness

A

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

34
Q

Innate Wisdom vs. Educated Stupidity

A

Some characters exhibit wisdom and understanding of situations instinctively as opposed to those supposedly in charge. Loyal retainers often exhibit this wisdom as they accompany the hero on the journey.

35
Q

Fire and Ice

A

Fire represents knowledge, light, life, and rebirth, while ice, like the desert, represents ignorance, darkness, sterility, and death.

36
Q

Nature vs. Mechanistic World

A

Nature is good while technology is evil.

37
Q

The Threshold

A

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

38
Q

The Underworld

A

A place of death or metaphorically an encounter with the dark side of the self. Entering an underworld is a form of facing a fear of death.

39
Q

Haven vs. Wilderness

A

Places of safety contrast sharply against a dangerous wilderness. Heroes are often sheltered for a time to regain health and resources

40
Q

Water vs. Desert

A

Because Water is necessary to life and growth, it commonly appears as a birth symbol, as baptism symbolizes a spiritual birth. Rain, rivers, oceans, etc. also function the same way. The Desert suggests the opposite.

41
Q

Heaven vs. Hell

A

Man has traditionally associated parts of the universe not accessible to him with the dwelling places of the primordial forces that govern his world. The skies and mountaintops house his gods, the bowels of the earth contain diabolic forces.

42
Q

The Crossroads

A

A place or time of decision when a realization is made and change or penance results

43
Q

The Maze

A

A puzzling dilemma or great uncertainty, search for the dangerous monster inside of oneself, or a journey into the heart of darkness

44
Q

The Castle

A

A strong place of safety which holds treasure or princess, may be enchanted or bewitched

45
Q

The Tower

A

A strong place of evil, represents the isolation of self

46
Q

The Magic Weapon

A

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

47
Q

The Whirlpool

A

Symbolizes the destructive power of nature or fate.

48
Q

Fog

A

Symbolizes uncertainty.

49
Q

3

A

3—light, spiritual awareness, unity (holy trinity), male principle

50
Q

4

A

4—associated with the circle, life cycle, four seasons, female principle, earth, nature, elements

51
Q

7

A

7—the most potent of all symbolic numbers signifying the union of three and four, the completion of a cycle, perfect order, perfect number, religious symbol

ELA (1 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions