The Trickster Archetype Archetypes are used in literature to portray a certain meaning, that helps create a better and more meaningful story. The archetypes used can be embedded in the characters, symbols, or even rituals involved in a story. These archetypes can help give deeper meaning to the story by giving a underlying reference to concepts that are used over and over again in literature throughout history. When an author uses an archetype in his or her writing, they link it to many other stories that use that same archetype. Some do this for a reason, to give an underlying meaning, to symbolized something of importance, or even just to make their story more interesting. Many readers may not notice the underlying archetype, but sometimes the author uses them because he or she knows that the reader will. There are many different archetypes in literature. The trickster is one of those many archetypes that is used in stories from history and continuing into modern times. The trickster is used in literature for many reasons. He always makes the story interesting. When you first see his character in the text, you may think that he is an amicable protagonist. Usually as the story progresses you can see him slightly unfold into something you never expected in the beginning. He is, like his name, a trickster. You could compare him to a snake. Slithering quietly, seeming to mean no harm, so you trust that he won't bite. You let him go about his business and do what he
A trickster embodies the energies of mischief and desire for change. This character provides the comic relief necessary to ease dramatic tension that builds up in the story. They cut egos down to size and poke fun at absurd or stagnant situations. They also show all or most types of elements. The characters Anansi in “How stories came to Earth,” Coyote in “Coyote steals fire,” and the cat in “Master Cat” all show the use of most or all elements of tricksters. All of the elements are ‘’uses of anthropomorphism,” “cleverness of the trickster ,” “helpfulness of the trickster,” “humorous/ clownish elements of the tales,” “brain over brawn,” negative qualities of the trickster, and the interaction with gods, spirits and the supernatural. The three elements that will be included in the following essay is the use of brain over brawn, the interaction with gods, spirits and the supernatural, and the negative qualities of a trickster.
An archetype is a symbol or character in a story that represents common experiences, and has become patterns in English literature. Archetypes are not easily identified, rather represent a deeper meaning and are hidden within the literary works. In “The Hobbit” by J.R.R Tolkien, the archetypes or symbols that are present throughout the book are: communion, death and resurrection/descent into the underworld, and a hero’s quest.
Archetypes play a big role in many books, short stories, TV shows, and movies. There are several different kinds of archetypes, but many of the same archetypes can be repeated throughout a storyline. An archetype could be a character, theme, symbol, or even a setting. Some examples of those include: The Bully (a character who intimidates others), White (a color that represents purity and peace), and The Garden (a setting in which fertility and love are symbolized). In Snow White and the Huntsman, many archetypes are brought to the viewer’s attention.
One type of archetype used was plot. This is shown by Diane leaving her normal life. As Diane does by going to Africa to study the Gorillas. These wild creatures intrigue her. She wants to learn all the have to give. This is her quest and the plot to the story. She wants to save these creatures from poachers. Her life goal is to save them. she must be courageous and survive in this new place.
An archetype is an ideal example or model after which other things are patterned. It is also known as a universal symbol, character, theme, or even a setting. They recur throughout human culture. Some examples may include : the hero, the mentor, the journey, good versus evil, etc. Those are some of the most common archetypes in literature, mythology, and dreams , because they are representations of universal human experiences. Archetypes can also offer a better understanding into the characters we try to flesh out in mere words.
2. Archetypes can be a “character, a theme, a symbol, or even a setting in a novel”
Archetypes are a recurring actions or attributes that represent definitive events in a person's life or a specific character. They are universal emblems in literature that correspond to various aspects of human, behavior, and culture. They are usually incorporated, by writers to symbolize relationships between divergent charterers, situations or symbolically natural opposites. They are a major factor in writing literature because they help shape a piece of literature. Archetypes are a major part they help illuminate the purpose of different characters and bonds between each other. The film Big is a classic film due to, the captivating idea of turning a boy into a man and the use of specific archetypes such as mentors, earth mother, star-crossed lovers and much more. It also is an excellent presentation of the archetypical cycle.
Archetypes I recognized are the obvious hero, mentor, allies and the villain. Heroes are usually the main character of the story. Although I believe Sam is the true hero in Lord of the Rings The mentor is a senior with some influence, someone who possesses wisdom or a teacher like Gandalf for example. Allies like Sam from Lord of the Rings or Ron from Harry Potter help support the hero with
Throughout literature, an archetype is a universal symbol, and it is used to represent people, places, descriptions. Archetypes make known a character’s thoughts and feelings, because archetypes help explain the heroes and villains’ motives. In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, he utilizes situational archetypes and symbolic archetypes to explore the theme that money cannot buy happiness.
“[Archetypes] tend to personify natural processes and to present them in concrete terms—god and devil, life and death, male and female, for example—a characteristic of mythological imagery. Less pivotal belief-characters (such as spirits, fairies, ogres, and dragons), as well as abstractions (such as good and evil) and individuals in the social group (or mother and father), also serve as prominent archetypes.
Archetypes are a significant literary device in any story. They are characters, actions and situations that are stereotypically in every story. For example, any story you think of has a hero, an innocent and a villain. For Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring, based from the book series written by J. R. R. Tolkien, these characters would be Frodo Baggins, SamWise Gamgee and Sauron the Dark Lord. These characters are known for their archetypes throughout the novel and movie.
The Wizard of Oz, is a classic fantasy that takes us to a world of fairies, dreams and childhood memories. The symbols, characters and use of situational archetypes offer the reader an understanding of Archetypal theory. Archetypes are used to impact the understandings of myths, legends and fairytales as it allows the audience to make connections and link other stories together. Furthermore, it helps in deeper analyzation, interpretation and connections in literature and show 's the characters behavior or personality. Not only does identifying archetypes help the reader to understand the morals of the story better, it also speaks to the basic human experiences and communicates meaning and emotion in all forms of literature. The portrayal
To me, an archetype is a recurring symbol literature and mythology. An archetypal story that stood out for me would be the storyline of Marina and the Diamonds album Electra Heart (2012) that defined many archetypes of the stereotypical American culture, had its roots to the origins of archetypes, which would be Greek mythology and the Greek tragedies. One of the songs, titled “Primadonna”, was the concept of obviously believing you’re more worthy of attention than others and can be compared to the goddess Hebe, who is the Greek goddess of youth, which can show ties to a primadonna being vain and self-obsessed and the ancient desire of immortality. Another archetype would be found in another song titled “The State of Dreaming”, where the singer
Archetypes are types of characters who appear repeatedly in literature, theater, and film. Writers have been using archetypes for many years much in the same way that we use genre today.
Archetypes are patterns from which other elements or ideas are derived. It can be something physical or symbolic, always capable of generating something more from themselves. You can also consider the archetype as an example. From the archetype, they shape behaviors and ways of thinking that are constructed by imitation or in search of similarity.