archetypes Flashcards
what are archetypes?
archetypes are basic forms of characters that appear throughout history in many different cultures
what is the theory behind archetypes?
psychiatrist carl jung believed there were three levels of consciousness
personal conscious: the thinking part of our minds that we know, what actively goes through our head and we recognize
personal unconscious: things that happen in our brain that we dont think about actively or realize
and collective unconscious: a deeper collective thinking between multiple individuals in a culture or even all humans in general
jung believed archetypes came from this collective unconscious
what makes archetypes different from copy and pasted characters?
archetypes are general formats for smaller specific parts of characters and leave lots of room for the author’s creativity
e.g. the ruler archetype can vary between like a dictator and a sensible leader
what is the ruler archetype?
the ruler archetype holds a position of power in their society
often their strengths are their leadership, power, and charisma and their weakness is suspicion
their desire is to hold onto their power and sometimes will do any means to keep it
what is the jester archetype?
the jester archetype works towards their own personal gain and is often amoral, meaning they dont hold any morals
their strengths are usually their intelligence and craftiness and their weaknesses are their physical strength and lack of seriousness
their desire is just their personal enjoyment, sometimes at the suffering of others
what is the sage archetype?
the sage archetype is a teacher or mentor to the main character or hero
they often come in the form of a socially outcast, old, bearded man and have wisdom or experience in the hero’s shoes
their strengths are their wisdom and experience but their weakness is their caution and inability to act
their desire is to help the hero and help them understand the world and their morals
what are the five dynamic functions of the sage archetype?
teaching: teaching the hero certain skills they need, most important
gift: give the hero something useful or important for them
conscience: remind the hero of some morals and how they should act
motivation: help the hero overcome a challenge or barrier
planting: planting a bit of knowledge or wisdom that becomes useful later on in the story but does not appear helpful at first
what is the hero archetype?
usually a regular relatable protagonist without any powers goes through the heros journey and makes a change or defeats an enemy
what is the heros journey?
call to adventure
crossing the threshold
supernatural aid
meeting the mentor
abyss
transformation
atonement
return with gift
