ENGLISH 4 : MODULE 03 : LESSON 07 INTRO: ARCHETYPES: FAMILIAR EXPRESSIONS
Introduction
Some of the most iconic movie characters represent archetypes that have appeared in stories for thousands of years. How many of these archetypes do you recognize?
What Is an Archetype?
Originating from the Greek, archetypes, the word archetype means “original pattern.” In terms of literature, archetypes are patterns that can be traced back through storytelling in every culture over thousands of years. These archetypes contribute to the expression of common themes in literature.
How many stories do you know that feature someone on a quest, a struggle between good and evil, or a boy-meets-girl romance? Those are all examples of archetypes.
Characters can also fall into archetypal patterns like these classic examples. Select the archetypes below to learn more.
Living Up to the Type
One of the most prevalent archetypes in literature, poetry, drama, television, and film is the hero. Beowulf, the earliest known narrative in the English language which was composed around 1000 BCE, tells the story of a hero who battles terrible monsters.
More recent narratives put a different spin on the hero archetype. Read the following articles to learn more about two types of heroes who provide an alternative to the traditional archetypal mold. As you progress through this lesson, answer the questions on the Archetypes: Familiar Expressions Worksheet.
An Unlikely Hero
Heroes Among Us
Heroes are not only found in stories, they can be found in real individuals who fight against challenges without any superpowers at all. These people still fit the archetypal idea of a hero but arm themselves with conviction and determination.
The juxtaposition of superheroes and real-life heroes can demonstrate their similar qualities. A remarkable example of this can be found in the life of Christopher Reeve. Reeve, the actor who played Superman in the 1980s, bravely faced real challenges even a superhero could not overcome after being paralyzed in a horseback-riding accident.
n an article titled, “In Superman and Christopher Reeve, different ideas of American heroes,” writer Ted Anthony examines this idea. Read excerpts from the article below to see a different view of the archetypal hero.
Lesson Summary
During this lesson, you have had the opportunity to read about figures that represent the hero archetype but are shaped by their own experiences, flaws, and motivations. You will use the information presented in these articles to answer analysis questions about these heroes.
Use your answers to the Archetypes: Familiar Expressions Worksheet to complete the questions on this assessment.
QUIZ
Question 1 (Essay Worth 15 points)
(03.07)
Christopher Reeve is compared to Thomas Edison. What does he have in common with him? Include examples from the reading to support your conclusion. Your response must cite the articles you read in the lesson.
Question 2 (Essay Worth 15 points)
(03.07)
What sets heroes like Iron Man and Batman apart from the traditional archetypal hero? Include examples from the reading to support your conclusion. Your response must cite the articles you read in the lesson.
Question 3 (Essay Worth 15 points)
(03.07)
How does the proverbial Russian definition of a hero, “He who hangs on for one minute more,” apply to Po, the hero of Kung Fu Panda? Include examples from the reading to support your conclusion. Your response must cite the articles you read in the lesson.
Question 4 (Essay Worth 20 points)
(03.07)
Even though Po and other flawed heroes are very different from traditional heroes, the articles in your lesson claim the flawed heroes are ones audiences can easily relate to. Explain why, according to the articles, audiences are able to connect with these types of characters. Your response must cite the articles you read in the lesson.
Question 5 (Essay Worth 35 points)
Identify someone, real or fictional, you feel represents the hero archetype. Discuss the qualities that a person shares with other heroes and what qualities set him or her apart from them. Use information from the articles to help support your response. Your response should be a minimum of five complete sentences. Your response must cite the articles you read in the lesson.
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