Character Archetypes in Literature

Archetypes

Different Types of Heroes

Open Ended

How would you define archetypes?

Give an example if you can.

Common Qualities of a Hero

• One of the most recognizable archetypes is a hero.

• May possess great or admirable qualities

• Could be forced to overcome obstacles in the course of the story

• Often, they embark on a quest that follows the stages of Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey.

Not all heroes are created equal...

• Heroes can be flawed, tragic, brave, or even villainous

• Knowing which type of hero your protagonist is can help you write an interesting and convincing main character

• Next, let's see what you remember about the first 3 common types of heroes...

Multiple Choice

What is an epic hero?

• A character who comes from a famous or noble family, have super-human strength and good looks, and take on dangerous challenges.

• A character who a powerful leader from a noble family but is majorly flawed and dies because of this flaw.

• A character who are emotional and very human. Magical and enchanted situations are common, but the hero triumphs after a painful personal sacrifice.

Multiple Choice

What is a tragic hero?

• A character who comes from a famous or noble family, have super-human strength and good looks, and take on dangerous challenges.

• A character who a powerful leader from a noble family but is majorly flawed and dies because of this flaw.

• A character who are emotional and very human. Magical and enchanted situations are common, but the hero triumphs after a painful personal sacrifice.

Multiple Choice

What is a romantic hero?

• A character who comes from a famous or noble family, have super-human strength and good looks, and take on dangerous challenges.

• A character who a powerful leader from a noble family but is majorly flawed and dies because of this flaw.

• A character who are emotional and very human. Magical and enchanted situations are common, but the hero triumphs after a painful personal sacrifice.

Watch this video to find out about

Anti-Heroes!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEjgDeSnBMs&t=1s

Anti-Hero

• Anti-heroes do not possess traditionally heroic qualities.

• Often dishonest, greedy, or immoral

• Struggle to overcome their bad traits

• Makes them relatable to us

• Example: In Star Wars, Han Solo is an arrogant smuggler who eventually overcomes his own self-interest to help

Everyman Hero

• Ordinary people

• Might even be underdogs placed in extraordinary circumstances that force them to act heroically

• Possess a strong moral compass and act with extreme selflessness

• Makes them very relatable

• Example: In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, Bilbo is a common hobbit without extraordinary abilities who finds himself on a quest

Multiple Choice

What type of hero is this?

• epic hero

• everyman hero

• anti-hero

Multiple Choice

What type of hero is this?

• tragic hero

• romantic hero

• everyman hero

Multiple Choice

What type of hero is this?

• tragic hero

• romantic hero

• everyman hero

Multiple Choice

What type of hero is this?

• epic hero

• romantic hero

• everyman hero

Multiple Choice

What type of hero is this?

• tragic hero

• epic hero

• romantic hero