2--character archetypes--
i--friendly beast—this shows that nature is on the side of the hero
j--the devil figure—evil incarnate, this character offers worldly goods, fame, or knowledge to
the protagonist in exchange for possession of the soul
k--the evil figure with the ultimately good heart--a redeemable devil figure saved by the
nobility or love of the hero
l--the scapegoat--an animal or more usually a human whose death in a public ceremony
expiates some taint or sin that has been visited upon a community. Their
death often mistakes them a more powerful force in society than when
they lived.
m--the outcast—a figure who is banished from a social group for some crime (real or imagined)
against his fellow man. The outcast is usually destined to become a wanderer
from place to place.
n- the innocent- A figure who is untouched by the evils and skepticism of the world
...Tiny Tim from a Christmas Carol...
o--the woman/girl figure--
1--the earth mother—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 and has large breasts and hips symbolic of her
childbearing capabilities
2--the temptress—characterized by sensuous beauty, this woman is one to who the
protagonist is physically attracted and who ultimately brings
about his downfall
3--the platonic ideal—this woman is a source of inspiration and a spiritual ideal, for
whom the protagonist or author has an intellectual rather than a
physical attraction
4--the unfaithful wife—a woman married to a man she sees as dull or distant and is
attracted to more virile or interesting men
5--the damsel in distress—the vulnerable woman who must be rescued by the hero.
She often is used as a trap to ensnare the unsuspecting hero
6--the star-crossed lovers--these two characters are engaged in a love affair that is
fated to end tragically for one or both due to the
disapproval of the society, friends, or family or some
tragic situation
7--the innocent--Pure and untouched by the evils of the world
...Joetta Watson in "The Watsons go to Birmingham"
o--the creature of nightmare—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
- the hero—Lord Reglan in the Hero: A Study in Tradition, Myth and Drama, contends that this archetype is so well defined that the life of the protagonist can be clearly divided into a series of well—marked adventured which strongly suggests a ritualistic pattern. Reglan finds that traditionally the hero’s mother is pure, the circumstances of his conception are unusual, and at birth some attempt is made to kill him. He is, however, spirited away and reared by foster parents. We know almost nothing of his childhood, but upon reaching manhood he returns to his future kingdom. After a victory over the king or a wild beast, he marries a princess, becomes a king, after which he meets a mysterious death, often at the top of a hill. His body is not buried, but nevertheless, he has one of more holy sepulchers
- the young man from the provinces—this hero is spirited away as a young man and raised by strangers. He later returns to his home and heritage where he is a stranger who can see new problems and solutions.
- the initiates—these are young heroes or heroines, who prior to their quest, must endure some training and ceremony.
- mentors—these individuals serve as teachers or counselors to the initiates. Sometimes they work as role models and often serve as a father or mother figure
- mentor-pupil relationship—the mentor teaches by example the skills necessary to survive the quest
- father-son conflict—tension often results from separation during childhood or from an external source when the individuals meet as men and where the mentor often has a higher place in the affections of the hero than the natural parent
- hunting or group companions—loyal companions willing to face any number of perils in order to be together
- loyal retainers--these individuals are somewhat like servants who are heroic themselves.
i--friendly beast—this shows that nature is on the side of the hero
j--the devil figure—evil incarnate, this character offers worldly goods, fame, or knowledge to
the protagonist in exchange for possession of the soul
k--the evil figure with the ultimately good heart--a redeemable devil figure saved by the
nobility or love of the hero
l--the scapegoat--an animal or more usually a human whose death in a public ceremony
expiates some taint or sin that has been visited upon a community. Their
death often mistakes them a more powerful force in society than when
they lived.
m--the outcast—a figure who is banished from a social group for some crime (real or imagined)
against his fellow man. The outcast is usually destined to become a wanderer
from place to place.
n- the innocent- A figure who is untouched by the evils and skepticism of the world
...Tiny Tim from a Christmas Carol...
o--the woman/girl figure--
1--the earth mother—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 and has large breasts and hips symbolic of her
childbearing capabilities
2--the temptress—characterized by sensuous beauty, this woman is one to who the
protagonist is physically attracted and who ultimately brings
about his downfall
3--the platonic ideal—this woman is a source of inspiration and a spiritual ideal, for
whom the protagonist or author has an intellectual rather than a
physical attraction
4--the unfaithful wife—a woman married to a man she sees as dull or distant and is
attracted to more virile or interesting men
5--the damsel in distress—the vulnerable woman who must be rescued by the hero.
She often is used as a trap to ensnare the unsuspecting hero
6--the star-crossed lovers--these two characters are engaged in a love affair that is
fated to end tragically for one or both due to the
disapproval of the society, friends, or family or some
tragic situation
7--the innocent--Pure and untouched by the evils of the world
...Joetta Watson in "The Watsons go to Birmingham"
o--the creature of nightmare—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