HUMAN Archetypes

HUMAN archetypes

1. YOUNG HERO: the young man / woman who must endure training & ceremony before (or during) the quest. Often wears white; embodies innocence.

2. MENTOR: the wizard, teacher, or counselor who guides the initiate. He usually serves both as role model and as father figure.

3. HERO: the man of great strength and courage, known for honorable purpose and willingness to risk his life for the good of the community.

4_5. HUNTING COMPANION: the loyal friend willing to risk or face perils in order to accompany the hero and other friends.

6. FRIENDLY BEAST: animal that befriends man and helps with the quest

7. Friendly beast 8. Hunting companion

9. JOKER / TRICKSTER / HOLY FOOL: the figure whose "inspired insanity" may lead to great illumination, often through mischance or misdirection.

10. EVIL FIGURE: the personification of ultimate evil. He offers great fame, treasure, or knowledge to the hero in order to persuade him to join evil. He is the human version of the monster, representing the UNCONSCIOUS MIND, chaos, and fear.

10A. EVIL FIGURE WITH A GOOD HEART: an evil figure, may be saved by the goodness/love of the hero.

11. OUTCAST: the figure who has been banished from society, usually because of a crime. The outcast often serves as a FOIL / OPPOSITE to the hero, throwing light onto the hero and his character. The outcast has failed the test, which the hero passes. The hero often wanders, unable to rest, because of his crime.

12. Joker / Trickster / Holy Fool

13. THE KNIGHT: the hero who saves civilization. His conquest of the animal world represents his conquest of himself'- he faces both internal and external conflict as he faces the ordeals of the quest. There is no civilization without the knight!!!! The knight may master the horse (Europe / Asia), the lion (Africa), the jaguar (Central America) or any other fearsome animal.

14. MONSTER: THE UNCONSCIOUS MIND: opposite of the hero, non-human version of the evil figure. It represents chaos, nightmare, all we fear.

15. DAMSEL IN DISTRESS: the woman who must be rescued by the hero. She may represent the talisman the hero must find in order to fulfill the quest.

16. OLD WITCH / SORCERESS / BAD MOTHER: the evil version of the Good Mother.

17. FAIRY GODMOTHER: female version of mentor.

18. GOOD MOTHER: nurturing mother, caretaker; her goal is the fulfillment of her children. She often corresponds to the Virgin Mary.

19. TEMPTRESS: tries to tempt the hero to leave his quest to gain worldly pleasure.

20. SOPHIA / WISDOM: the personification of all that is wise. ALWAYS FEMALE!