What is an archetype?

Question

I know the definition, but can someone explain what it means? I don't understand it

Answer 1

The meanings below, from American Heritage, are pretty clear. It's an original model or an ideal example.





ar•che•type (är′kĭ‑tīp′)

n.

1. An original model or type after which other similar things are patterned; a prototype: “’Frankenstein’. . . ‘Dracula’. . . ‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’. . . the archetypes that have influenced all subsequent horror stories” (New York Times).

2. An ideal example of a type; quintessence: an archetype of the successful entrepreneur.

3. In Jungian psychology, an inherited pattern of thought or symbolic imagery derived from the past collective experience and present in the individual unconscious.

Latin archetypum, from Greek arkhetupon, from neuter of arkhetupos, original: arkhe-, arkhi-, archi- + tupos, model, stamp.

ar′che•typ′al (-tī′pəl), ar′che•typ′ic (-tĭp′ĭk), ar′che•typ′i•cal adj.

ar′che•typ′i•cal•ly adv.



Usage Note: The ch in archetype, and in other English words of Greek origin such as architect and chorus, represents a transliteration of Greek X (chi), and is usually pronounced like (k). In a recent survey, 94 percent of the Usage Panel indicated that they pronounce archetype (är′kĭ-tīp′), with a (k) sound, while 6 percent preferred the pronunciation (är′chĭ-tīp′), with a (ch) sound. Of those who preferred the traditional (k) pronunciation, 10 percent noted that the (ch) pronunciation was also acceptable. Only the traditional pronunciation is widely accepted as standard, however.

Answer 2

It means the first model built of something. The wright brothers airplane was an archetype for other airplanes. In psychology it is a way of thinking that you inhereted from your parents or those who came before you. could be something like a prejudice. it is what we are predisposed to feel. something we are born with that influences our opinions. It is a trait. If you want to learn more about it im pretty sure carl jung came up with it i hope my definitions helped. it is kind of hard to explain

Answer 3

An archetype has two basic definitions:

If you are not in literature class, it most likely means some sort of explanation of how the world began. For example the big bang theory.

On the other hand if you are in literature class, it has many many many different ways to find one. THe basic or Character wise. The basic ones are like the prince saves the princess or the good guy beat the bad guy. there are tons of character ones;

THE HERO—

YOUNG MAN FROM THE PROVINCES—hero is taken away as a young man and raised by strangers; when he returns home, he can view problems objectively and can solve them easier

THE INITIATE—young heroes or heroines who go through training; usually innocent and wear white

MENTOR

FATHER-SON CONFLICT—\

HUNTING GROUP OF COMPANIONS—loyal companions willing to face any number of dangers to be together

LOYAL RETAINERS—somewhat like servants to the hero who are heroic themselves; their duty is to protect the hero and reflect the nobility of the hero; they are expendable

FRIENDLY BEAST

DEVIL FIGURE

EVIL FIGURE WITH GOOD HEART

SCAPEGOAT—animal or human who is unjustly held responsible for others’ sins; sacrificed but they often become more powerful force dead than alive

OUTCAST

EARTHMOTHER—offers spiritual and emotional nourishment to those she meets; shown in earth colors and has large breasts and hips symbolic of her childbearing capabilities

TEMPTRESS—sensuous beauty; brings about the hero’s downfall because he is physically attracted to her

PLATONIC IDEAL—female figure who provides intellectual stimulation for the hero; he is not physically attracted to her

DAMSEL IN DISTRESS

STAR-CROSSED LOVERS

CREATURE OF NIGHTMARE—animal or creature disfigured or mutated; monsters who are the antagonists in the story

Then there is situational archetypes

THE QUEST

THE TASK

THE JOURNEY

THE FALL—describes a descent from a higher to a lower state of being. The experience involves a defilement and/or a loss of innocence and bliss. The fall is often accompanied by expulsion from a kind of paradise as a penalty for disobedience and moral transgression.

DEATH AND REBIRTH

NATURE VS. MECHANISTIC WORLD—Nature is good while technology and society are often evil.

BATTLE BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL

THE UNHEALABLE WOUND

THE RITUAL

As well as symbolic archehtypes

LIGHT VS. DARKNESS

WATER VS. DESERT—water is necessary to life and growth and so it appears as a birth or rebirth symbol; the appearance of rain in a work can suggest spiritual birth or rebirth; characters who live in the desert are often “dead” to morals or the “good side”

HEAVEN VS. HELL

INNATE WISDOM VS EDUCATED STUPIDITY—uneducated characters can often be wise using their common sense while some very educated characters have no common sense

SUPERNATURAL INTERVENTION—the gods most often intervene on the side of the hero to assist him in his quest

HAVEN VS. WILDERNESS

FIRE VS. ICE—fire can represent knowledge, light, life, and rebirth while ice can represent ignorance, darkness, sterility, and death

MAGIC WEAPON

Answer 4

It means original pattern or model