ArchetypeA very old imaginative pattern that appears in literature across cultures and is repeated throughout the ages.

Two Famous Psychologists and Their Theories

Sigmund Freud “Personal Unconscious”

-VS-

Carl Jung “Collective Unconscious”

Sigmund Freud, German Psychologist

He hypothesized that archetypes exist in the personal unconscious, which is based on personal experiences.

The personal unconscious is individual, not universal. It is learned, not instinctive.

This “Personal Unconscious” theory by Sigmund Freud claims we are born into this world as “clean slates.”

This theory claims all human behaviors are “programmed” into us by our environment (fairy tales, nursery rhymes, children’s games, etc. )

Carl Jung, Swiss Psychologist He believed that beneath an

individual’s unconscious, lies the “collective unconscious” of the human race.

The “CU” has pre-existing knowledge.

The “CU” is not individual, but universal; and is instinctive, not learned.

He believes human minds at birth contain “inherent predispositions” to perceive in categories archetypes.

What?! In other words, Jung

believes that when a newborn baby smiles, its smile is a universal, archetypal behavior. When a newborn baby suckles, frowns, cries--all of these instinctive behaviors are archetypal.

More archetypal Behaviors…

In fact, most young animals (including humans) have an inborn urge to relate to some sort of mother figure.

So, simple inborn, primal instincts such as hunger, reproduction, the need for a mother-figure, and anger are all part of the wide range of behaviors which fall within the category of archetypal behaviors.

Carl Jung Overview

According to Carl Jung, we are born with archetypes.

Different cultures “dress them up and put different clothes on them”…but the core image and energy is the same archetypal images.

Our daily life is experienced as archetypal behaviors.

Personal Unconscious versus Collective Unconscious

Sigmund Freud maintained the personal unconscious is a personal experience that has been forgotten or repressed.

Carl Jung maintained the collective unconscious has never been conscious, but is the part we share with all of humanity: proof of its existence can be found in the study of the similarity of dreams, delusions, myths, religion, stories, stereotypical ideas, etc.

Archetypes: Primary and Enduring Patterns Basic to Literature

These recurring patterns are found in situation (plot). Ex. The battle between good and evil.

These recurring patterns are found in characters. Ex. The hero or the damsel in distress.

These recurring patterns are found in symbols. Ex. Light often symbolizes goodness while darkness is often associated with evil.

Archetypical Characters

Damsel in distress- vulnerable woman who needs to be rescued

Outcast- banished from a social group

Hero- mysterious/unusual birth

-returns to kingdom after

reaching manhood

-loses favor with the Gods

Five Elements of the Hero Quest: the hero quest which the archetype has set out

on; may not realize he/she is on such a quest until it is too late to retreat

Fear: usually the motivating factor for undergoing the quest; also the principal danger that lurks in the shadow of the archetype

Dragon: represents the major problem/obstacle of the quest; must be overcome for the quest to be successful

Task: must accomplish in order to succeed at the quest; failure can lead to becoming the dark shadow or dark self

Virtue: succeeding at the quest earns the hero these rewards of self, such as the princess, the castle, etc.

Mentor-Pupil Relationship

The mentor teaches the initiate often by example, the skills needed to survive the quest and rule successfully.

Loyal RetainersThey are

somewhat like servants.

They are heroic themselves.

Their duty is to protect the hero.

They reflect the nobility of the hero.

Star-Crossed Lovers

Two lovers whose union ends sadly or tragically in the death of one or both of them.

Ex. Romeo & Juliet

Plots: Good vs. Evil

The death of a hero

Boy wins girl

The quest or odyssey for something greater

Dead and Rebirth

Examples of Nature vs. Machines

Images:

A place where people never dieHoarded treasureFountain of Youth

Themes:

o Good triumphs over evilLove conquers all adversity.The past as a more perfect timeNever Give up!

Settings:

Forest- place where rules do not apply

Heaven – allows character to see clearly/gain sight

Garden – place of beauty, safety and restraint

Caves/tunnels/underground- represents a journey into the subconscious.

Rivers- crossing a boundary or border, passing of time

Situations:

The Task- what the hero must perform

The initiation- an experience which creates an awakening or awareness.

The unhealable Wound- either physical psychological

The ritual- actual ceremony that marks the right of passage

Symbolic Archetypes Light/darkness- light suggests hope,

renewal, intellegence

- Darkness implies unknown, despair,

or ignorance

Water/desert- water is necessary to life & growth. Ex. Rebirth

-desert is associated with bareness

and death