<p> ARCHETYPES IN LITERATURE Archetype: A pattern that appears in literature across cultures and is repeated through the ages. An archetype can be a character, a plot, a theme, an image , or a setting. For example, the basic plot of the hero’s quest or journey is found in myths and other literature from different cultures around the world. </p><p>Characters:  Hero: “larger than life” – able to accomplish wondrous deeds  Fatal woman/Temptress – the woman who through her power renders strong men weak (Eve, Circe)  Scape-goat or sacrificial Victim: most gods and heroes suffer and/or die for the sake of their society (Christ)  Alter-ego/Double or Shadow: embodies ancient psychological truths about man’s dual nature-good vs evil(Cain & Abel)  The Innocent: character moves from innocence to experience and knowledge (Red Riding Hood, Beauty and the Beast) Settings and Symbols:  Garden: ordered and controlled; youth and innocence vs experience (Garden of Eden)---Forest: chaos and disorder  Caves, tunnels, pools of water: symbols of descent into the unconscious or the inner self  River: Life and time continue; eternal change; destiny  The sea: mysterious Source of life; sometimes represents the unconscious Themes or Patterns of Experience:  Journey, search or quest: for origins(who’s my father?), identity, perfection, love, wisdom, salvation(Odyseus)  Initiation: character moves from innocence into experience and knowledge; childhood to adulthood. Initiate undergoes trials, tests and other rituals. Often combines with Journey or Quest.  Transformation: literal—in myth and fairy tales evil witch may change a person into an animal; the love of a woman may change a beast into a handsome prince. Circe turned men into swine. (Cinderella, Beauty and The Beast)  Death and Rebirth/Fall and Redemption: both literal and symbolic (Prodigal Son, Genesis I) Seasons:  Summer: Romance—good guys over bad; youthful adventure resulting in hero; innocence and triumph  Autumn: Tragedy—hero dead or defeated  Winter: Irony, Satire—absent hero; society leaderless and lacking sense of norms or values(death in life—Camus)  Spring: Rebirth, renewal, rejuvenation—hero returns and order is restored.</p><p>ARCHETYPES IN LITERATURE Archetype: A pattern that appears in literature across cultures and is repeated through the ages. An archetype can be a character, a plot, a theme, an image , or a setting. For example, the basic plot of the hero’s quest or journey is found in myths and other literature from different cultures around the world. </p><p>Characters:  Hero: “larger than life” – able to accomplish wondrous deeds  Fatal woman/Temptress – the woman who through her power renders strong men weak (Eve, Circe)  Scape-goat or sacrificial Victim: most gods and heroes suffer and/or die for the sake of their society (Christ)  Alter-ego/Double or Shadow: embodies ancient psychological truths about man’s dual nature-good vs evil(Cain & Abel)  The Innocent: character moves from innocence to experience and knowledge (Red Riding Hood, Beauty and the Beast) Settings and Symbols:  Garden: ordered and controlled; youth and innocence vs experience (Garden of Eden)---Forest: chaos and disorder  Caves, tunnels, pools of water: symbols of descent into the unconscious or the inner self  River: Life and time continue; eternal change; destiny  The sea: mysterious Source of life; sometimes represents the unconscious Themes or Patterns of Experience:  Journey, search or quest: for origins(who’s my father?), identity, perfection, love, wisdom, salvation(Odyseus)  Initiation: character moves from innocence into experience and knowledge; childhood to adulthood. Initiate undergoes trials, tests and other rituals. Often combines with Journey or Quest.  Transformation: literal—in myth and fairy tales evil witch may change a person into an animal; the love of a woman may change a beast into a handsome prince. Circe turned men into swine. (Cinderella, Beauty and The Beast)  Death and Rebirth/Fall and Redemption: both literal and symbolic (Prodigal Son, Genesis I) Seasons:  Summer: Romance—good guys over bad; youthful adventure resulting in hero; innocence and triumph  Autumn: Tragedy—hero dead or defeated  Winter: Irony, Satire—absent hero; society leaderless and lacking sense of norms or values(death in life—Camus)  Spring: Rebirth, renewal, rejuvenation—hero returns and order is restored.</p>