RIT SCORE RANGE 221-230

Question 1

Archetype

Answer 1

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.

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