Archetypes: Recognizing Patterns in Literature

Transcription

1 Archetypes: Recognizing Patterns in Literature

2 Bellwork December 5 th : Please write your answers on a new sheet of paper. 1. What is an archetype? Write your own definition. 2. BRAINSTORM! Write down (a) what each character archetype might add to a story, and (b) an example of each one from either a piece of literature or a movie. - The loyal friend - The hero - The devil - The mentor - The scapegoat - The outcast

3 Once upon a time, there was a man named Carl Jung - Pronounced young - Swiss psychiatrist - Studied dreams, personalities, and religious connections What he figured out: - People all over the world have the same dreams and stories - We have a collective unconscious from birth - The collective unconscious comes out in the form of archetypes in our stories

4 What is an archetype? A pattern repeated through the ages in folk and literary expressions. An original model on which something is patterned. Jung discovered that all humans share certain unconscious, INSTINCTUAL ideas, dreams, and notions. When these ideas come out in images or in literature, we call them archetypes.

5 What is an archetype? Think of an archetype as being the first model or prototype of something. The Model T was the first prototype of the modern automobile. In literature, the same type of characters, situations, and symbols have been modeled for many years in different types of stories.

6 So what does this mean? According to Jung, archetypes are a result of a Universal Unconsciousness, and because of this, Universal Patterns begin to surface in art. We all share a collective unconscious or a subconscious mental record of all common human experience. Archetypes are universal themes that express our collective unconscious.

7 This shared collective unconscious is why so many stories, tales, epics, and parables share SIMILAR characters, symbols, themes, and stages of plot development; even literature written in different parts of the world, in different CULTURES and at different times in HISTORY! Example: The Warrior

8 Archetype Redefined: An archetype is a recurring pattern of characters, situations, or symbols existing universally and instinctively in man s unconscious.

9 Archetype Brainstorm Many of the patterns in modern books and movies are taken from archetypes. Think about the recurring patterns in the books you ve read and the movies you ve seen. Can you think of any modern books or movies that follow the recurring patterns of characters, situations, or symbols that are found in the following Shakespeare plays? 1. Hamlet 2. Romeo and Juliet 3. Julius Caesar 4. Othello Write your examples with their recurring plot patterns on your bellwork paper.

10 Archetype Brainstorm Can you think of any modern books or movies that follow the recurring patterns of characters, situations, or symbols that are found in the following Shakespeare plays? 1. Hamlet Basic themes: mystery of death, revenge, justice Example: Disney s The Lion King 2. Romeo and Juliet Basic themes: star-crossed lovers, passion, death Example: Titanic, West Side Story 3. Julius Caesar Basic themes: ambition, conspiracy, betrayal, death Example: Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith 4. Othello Basic themes: race/different culture, love, revenge, death Example: Disney s Pocahontas, O

11 Character Archetypes:

12 Activity: Watch the following video on the Hero Archetype: 1. As you watch, think about the novels you have read over your lifetime. 2. When the video ends, write down an example of a hero archetype from a novel/play/story that you have read, and include the characteristics that made them heroic. 3. When prompted, discuss your examples with your group.

13 Characteristics of a Hero/Heroine: Mysterious birth Leaves family Experiences a traumatic event Loses favor Wields a special weapon or power Has supernatural help Proves himself/herself Is often reborn in some way Realizes that they have the power all along A Hero does not need to have ALL of these characteristics.

14 12 Steps in a Hero s Journey:

15 12 Steps in a Hero s Journey: Status Quo 1. Call to adventure 2. Assistance 3. Departure 4. Trials 5. Approach 6. Crisis 7. Treasure 8. Result 9. Return 10. New life 11. Resolution 12. Back to status quo

16 Reflection: How can the complexity of human nature be understood by examining the recurring patterns of archetypes? Why is that important when analyzing literature? Think about these questions, then write a short paragraph answer. Be ready to discuss your thoughts.

17 Activity: In your groups, think of a book or movie that follows the hero s journey. Using your bellwork papers, write out all 12 steps of your chosen hero. Once your group is finished brainstorming, you must draw your hero s cycle and write your explanations on the giant post-it. Each group member should complete at least one portion of the cycle. More than one person should be writing on the chart paper in order to save time. Status Quo 1. Call to adventure 2. Assistance 3. Departure 4. Trials 5. Approach 6. Crisis 7. Treasure 8. Result 9. Return 10. New life 11. Resolution 12. Back to status quo

18 Homework! Complete the Archetypes handout. Research and fill in the universally accepted description, definition, and/or story related to each archetype. Please fill in all the sections: characters, situations, and symbols. Due date: Periods 1, 3: Thursday, December 7 th Periods 2, 4, 6: Friday, December 8 th

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27 More Archetypes: THE VILLAIN Cruel, malicious, wicked Has human-like motivations Responsible for conflict Represents evil from the real world Cunning, mad, evil

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