Monomyth Archetype Characters

Monomyth Archetype Characters

What is an Archetype?

• a repeating character

• doesn't fit a gender/age/appearance mold

• defines the ROLE of the character

Hero

• Protagonist who goes through the Journey stages

• Audience relates to the character

• Goes to a special world

• Will struggle to adapt and survive

Multiple Select

Which character(s) is/are examples of a hero?

• Shrek

• Mad Hatter

• Ursala

• Mufasa

• Dorothy Gale

Mentor

• describes the special world and challenges to the hero

• Gives the hero advice and tools in order to survive the journey

• Typically gets the plot moving

• Disappears after the hero starts the journey

Multiple Select

Which character(s) is/are an example of a mentor?

• Dumbledore

• Scar

• 7 Dwarves

• Prince Charming

Ally

• Friend and helper for the hero

• helps the hero to overcome smaller tasks

• try to keep the hero safe

Multiple Select

Which character(s) is/are an example of an ally?

• Hermione

• Scarecrow

• Nala

• Jasmine

• Anger

Herald

• brings in the change for the hero

• may be a person or object

• invites the hero to begin the journey

Multiple Select

Which character(s) is/are an example of a herald?

• invitation to the ball

• Nemo

• Pocahontas

• Cuzco

Trickster

• adds fun and humor

• challenges status quo and asks insightful questions

• makes things a little unbelievable in a funny way

Multiple Select

Which character(s) is/are an example of a trickster?

• Bugs Bunny

• Rumpelstiltskin

• Dory

• Buzz Lightyear

• Maleficent

Shapeshifter

• difficult to tell if it's a friend or enemy

• appeal and danger

• adds tension to the story

Multiple Select

Which character(s) is/are an example of a shapeshifter?

• Gollum

• Han Solo

• Darth Vader

• Dopey

Threshold Guardian

• tests the hero before they face great challenges

• always block an entrance or border of some kind

• “go home and forget your quest.”

• hero must prove their worth by answering a riddle, sneaking past, or defeating the guardian in combat.

Multiple Select

Which character(s) is/are an example of a Threshold Guardian?

• Inigo Montoya

• Sadness

• Puss in Boots

• Harry Potter

Shadow

• villians

• exist to create threat and conflict, and to give the hero something to struggle against

• do not have to be characters specifically

• especially effective if it mirrors the hero in some way

• shows the audience the twisted person the hero could become if they head down the wrong path

Multiple Select

Which character(s) is/are an example of a Shadow?

• Voldemort

• Wicked Witch of the West

• Scuttle

• Sadness

• Bo Peep