Literary Archetypes

Ensures the protagonist is worthy of passing the threshold. S/he acts as one of the tests the protagonist must face on the journey.

• Hero

• Herald

• Threshold Guardian

• Mother

True or False: A character may fit into more than one archetype.

• True

• False

Choose all of the following archetypes that are the "bad guys" in a story.

• Villain

• Shadow

• Shapeshifter

• Herald

• Temptress

This character doesn’t usually have the traditional qualities expected of a hero. Commonly possesses imperfections associated with antagonists

• Villain

• Trickster

• Anti-Hero

• Shadow

Serves opposite the hero, often embodying negative characteristics and works directly against the hero’s cause

• Villain

• Trickster

• Anti-Hero

• Shadow

Break the ordinary rules of society and even nature and often symbolize the chaotic and complex realities of the world that are beyond the understanding of the human mind

• Villain

• Trickster

• Anti-Hero

• Shadow

Restores harmony, Solves the problem, or saves the day, despite the odds being against them

• Hero

• Loyal Companion

• Anti-Hero

• Mother

Appears near the beginning of the story to announce the need for change in the hero’s life and invites the hero to accept the call to adventure

• Hero

• Herald

• Threshold Guardian

• Mother

She uses power (magic, beauty, intellect) to make others weak or to lure them away from their task

• Mentor

• Shadow

• Temptress

• Mother

There may be more than one of any archetype in a literary work.

• True

• False