An archetype is an ideal example or model after which other things are patterned. It is what is considered a typical example of a thing or person. In literature, there are situation archetypes, setting archetypes, symbolic archetypes and character archetypes.
Situation Archetypes
Here are examples:
- Battle of Good and Evil – Good ultimately triumphs
- Death and Rebirth – Shows the circle of life
- Innate Wisdom vs. Educated Stupidity – A character will have intuition and knowledge that is better than those in charge
- The Initiation – A character matures and takes responsibility
- The Journey – The hero confronts trials along the way
- The Magic Weapon – The hero has the ability to use this to be successful in the quest or to prove he or she is the chosen one
- Nature vs. Mechanistic World – This has nature as being good and technology as bad
- The Quest – The search for someone or something
- The Task – Something that must be done
Setting Archetypes
Here are examples:
- The Garden – Symbolizes love and fertility
- The Forest – Can be a wild place with dangers and beasts. It can also be a place to reconnect with nature.
- The River – Water symbolizes life and the river can show life’s journey or boundaries.
- The Sea – Can be both good and evil, with dangers and treasures. It can also show infinity.
- The Island – Symbolizes isolation
- The Mountain – Climbing up can represent a spiritual journey.
- The Wasteland – A place for cleansing and finding inner strength
- The Tower – Represents worship or power
- The Small Town – This is where everyone knows everyone and judges them, so it represents intolerance.
Symbolic Archetypes
Here are examples:
- Light – Hope or renewal
- Dark – Despair or ignorance
- Water – Birth and life
- Haven – Safety
- Wilderness – Danger
- Fire – Knowledge, rebirth
- Ice – Death, ignorance
- Black – Evil, mystery
- Red – Passion, blood
- Green – The earth, growth
- White – Purity, peace, innocence
- Three – Trinity; mind, body, spirit
- Four – Seasons, elements
- Square – Stability
- Circle – Heaven, perfection, eternity
- Spiral – Cosmic motion, growth
- Clouds – Mystery
- Crescent moon – Change
- Lightning – Inspiration
- Hourglass – Time passing
- Heart – Love
Character Archetypes
Here are examples:
- The Bully – Intimidates others
- The Creature of Nightmare – Threatens the hero’s life
- The Damsel in Distress – The hero rescues her
- The Devil Figure – Tempts the hero
- Dreamer – Wants to be something else
- The Evil Genius – Seeks revenge and hates all
- Friendly Beast – Assists the hero
- The Hero – Main character who may fulfill a task or bring justice
- The Initiates – Need training to become heroes
- Martyr – Willing to die for a cause
- Mentors – Train and counsel the initiates
- The Outcast – Exiled for a crime and becomes a wanderer
- The Star-Crossed Lovers – The pair usually meet tragedy
- Survivor – Never gives up and always pulls through
- The Temptress – A beautiful woman who seduces the hero
- Tyrant – Wants to be in charge
- Wizard – Has special powers
There are many different kinds of archetypes; but, they all have one thing in common. They are all models after which other things are patterned.
