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Archetype is defined as the first original model of which all other similar persons, objects, or concepts are merely derivative, copied, patterned, or emulated. The term is often used in literature, architecture, and the arts to refer to something that goes back to the fundamental origins of style, method, gold standard, or physical construct. Shakespeare, for example, is epitomized for popularizing many archetypal characters, not because he was the first that we know of to write them, but because he defined those roles amongst the backdrop of a complex, social literary landscape. Thus, the characters stand out as original by contrast, even though many of his characters were based on previously-garnered archetypes (Shakespeare often borrowed from fables, myths and magic to construct and embellish his plays).1 Jungian archetypes
The archetype is also a concept of psychologist Carl Gustav Jung. In this context, archetypes are innate prototypes for ideas, which may subsequently become involved in the interpretation of observed phenomena. A group of memories and interpretations closely associated with an archetype is called a complex, and may be named for its central archetype (e.g. "mother complex"). Jung often seemed to view the archetypes as sort of psychological organs, directly analogous to our physical, bodily organs: both being morphological givens for the species; both arising at least partially through evolutionary processes. There are four famous forms of archetypes numbered by Jung:
The symbols of the unconscious abound in Jungian psychology:
- The Syzygy (Divine Couple, e.g. Aeons)
- The Child (examples: Linus van Pelt, Arnold Shortman)
- The SupermanIn Thus spake Zarathustra (in German, Also sprach Zarathustra , the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche explains the three steps through which man can become an bermensch (literally, 'overman'): # By his will to destruction # By re-evaluating or destro (the OmnipotentOmnipotence (literally, "all power") is the power to do absolutely anything. This trait is usually attributed only to God. Theists hold that examples of God's omnipotence include Creation and miracles. In most monotheistic religions, God is described as o)
- The HeroThis article is about the type of character. For other meanings, see Hero (disambiguation . Sir Galahad, a prototypical hero In many myths and folk tales, a hero is a man or woman (then often called a heroine , traditionally the protagonist of a story, le (examples: SiegfriedIn Norse mythology, Sigurd (also Siegfried was a legendary hero, as well as the central character in the Volsunga saga, Nibelungenlied and Richard Wagner's opera, Siegfried which see for more details. In the Volsung Saga In the Volsungsaga, Sigurd is the, Beowulf, Doc SavageDoc Savage is a fictional character, one of the most enduring pulp heroes of the 1930s and 1940s. The character was created by Street and Smith Publications executive Henry Ralston and editor John Nanovic, but fully realized by Lester Dent, who wrote most, Luke SkywalkerLuke Skywalker is a fictional character of the Star Wars universe, a Jedi Knight, who plays a major role in the series of films. He is the son of Padme Amidala and Anakin Skywalker, and brother of Princess Leia Organa. As an orphan, he was raised on the p, Thomas A. AndersonThomas A. Anderson is a fictional character from the movie The Matrix and its sequels The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions''. He is sometimes referred to as The One and has powers beyond machines. In all three movies he is played by Keanu Reeves ("Neo"), Harry Potter)
- The Great Mother (manifested either as the Good Mother or the Terrible Mother)
- The Wise Old Man (examples: Obi-Wan Kenobi, Gandalf, Albus Dumbledore)
- The Trickster or Ape (examples: Brer Rabbit, Otto Rocket, Bart Simpson, Bugs Bunny, Loki, Eris)
- ...etc...
"Archetype" is sometimes broadly and misleadingly used as a substitute for such other words as prototype, stereotype, and epitome.
Examples:
