Thursday, April 18, 2013

Archetypes

Archetypes are types of characters that go under the roof of being recurring characters. Although the spectrum of these is broad, all of these types have a certainn pattern in common, whether it being a certain outlook or another character quality. They have a permanent structure, and if they don' rely upon it, then they will simply not suit that archetype. Archetypes can be found everywhere, from Russian Novels to the Bible.

For example, the original archetype for a tragic hero is Oedipus Rex. Oedipus pioneered this archetype for Shakespearean tragic piece's like Hamlet and Macbeth. 

In one way or another, stereotypes could be compared to archetypes, however stereotypes are catagorized in an oversimplified way, and are therefore contorted conceptions of the idea.

Take Harry Potter for example, which consists of several archetypes.

Harry Potter: 
  • Orphan, since through the series of books, the presence of his parents either through the Mirror of Erised or through their ghostly presence is strong and memorable
  • Innocence, as his purity makes the darkness more clearly seen, and since it's a rather important theme throughout the books
  • Martyr, for fighting for good
Albus Dumbledore:
  •  Wise, because his knowledge of the world beyond and within is high as well as his own outlook, and that he does everything with good intentions
  • Fatherly, because he is the closest thing to a Father for Harry
Voldemort:
  • Destroyer, for having bad intentions and using them
 Ron Weasley:
  • Sidekick, because Harry can lean on him
Rubeus Hagrid:
  • Giant, but a friendly one at that, because he's a genuinely amazing person