Archetype Essay

The term archetype comes from Greek origin. In this origin, it literally means original pattern (Golden) which relates to the definition given by the Oxford dictionary; and this states that an archetype is “a recurrent symbol or motif in literature, art, or mythology.” The first definition and concept of an archetype’s existence was constructed by Carl Jung, and Charles Cowgil states that, “Symbols, as defined by Jung, is the best possible expression for something essentially unknown.” Carl Jung, the brain behind archetypes, was a Swiss psychiatrist and founded the school of analytical psychology. Because of his own personal beliefs that he had two separate personalities, he developed the ideas of introverted personalities and extroverted
Many concepts can be symbolized and categorized by archetypes. Characters, plot patterns, ideas, and themes are most prominent. Out of these, the heroic archetype has the most branches. Heroes in literature vary. They are expressed as warriors, lovers, scapegoats, feminists, transcendent heroes, and apocalyptic heroes (hccfl,edu, 1). As studied by Joseph Cambell, all of these heroic types have five stages including: departure, initiation, the road of trials, innermost cave, and return and reintegration with society. The departure shows the hero being called to an adventure, and although reluctant at first, the initiation takes place. The initiation in a hero’s journey has the hero leaving his world and venturing out. Once out in a new world, the hero comes across the road of trials. In this stage, a hero’s strength is tested. Next, the hero finds himself in the innermost cave. This is the place of great trials and can be physical or emotional. It trigger a rebirth in the hero. In the final stage, the hero returns to his land and uses his journey to help the society (hccfl.edu, 2). Within the hero’s journey, the archetype has a main need to prove his worth (Hundall). Contrary to the hero’s archetype of being courageous, an innocent archetype is the