For each of the following images:
What might it symbolize?
What might it represent?
How do you know?
Word analysis: ARCHETYPE
• Greek word roots:
–arkhe (first, original)
–typos (type, model)
• What, then, does “archetype” mean?
Archetypes: the basics
• generic, idealized model of a particular concept--an “essence”
• patterns (esp. in literature) that cross time, culture, language.
• Universally recognizable
Archetypes: Concept History
• Carl G. Jung (c. 1919), Swiss psychologist
• “The Collective Unconscious”– DNA of the psyche is composed of archetypes
• Humans have common psychological predispositions.
• Archetypes, said Jung, reveal symbolic themes that exist across cultures.
Say hello to Mr. Jung
As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being. It may even be assumed that just as the unconscious affects us, so the increase in our consciousness affects the unconscious.
Memories, Dreams,Reflections
Symbolic Archetypes
• Light vs. Darkness
• Water vs. Desert
• Heaven vs. Hell
• Good vs. Evil
• Innocence vs. Experience
• Tradition vs. Change
For all: note polarities
Situational Archetypes
• The Quest• The Task• The Initiation• The Journey• The Fall• Death and Rebirth
• Nature vs. Mechanistic World
• The Perpetual Wound• The Ritual• The Magic Weapon
Character Archetypes
• The Hero• The Mentor• Friendly Beast• The Devil Figure• The Scapegoat• The Outcast• The Trickster• The Child
• The Earth Mother• The Temptress• The Ideal Woman• The Unfaithful Wife• Damsel in Distress• Star-Crossed Lovers
Color Archetypes
• Symbolic nature of color is fairly obvious– Black: evil, emptiness, mystery– Red: passion, sin, blood, death, evil
• Try it out, and for each name an example. – Green– White– Gold– Red