Threshold Guardian
Ancient archetype. See Gatekeeper.
Ancient archetype. See Gatekeeper.
Ancient archetype. Also, Threshold Guardian. Before being able to enter a strange world, or obstructing the treasure that is the goal, a hero is likely to encounter an opponent in the form of a Gatekeeper or guardian. The term Threshold Guardian refers specifically to the point in the Hero’s Journey between the ordinary world the hero must leave and the unknown world she must enter. In other words, the threshold between act one and act two. See Archetypes.
Ancient archetype. See Messenger.
Ancient archetype. Also: Herald. In the dramas of classical antiquity, some of the main action is reported rather than shown. Partially, this is due to the inability to show certain scenes on stage, either because they were too complex (battles) or too gory (Jocasta hanging herself, Oedipus then gouging out his eyes). Thus the messenger was a major contributor to the action. Famous Messenger: Hermes. See Archetypes.
Ancient archetype. Since many archetypal stories have as an underlying theme the tyrannical rule of an old order presided over by a Patriarch being challenged and overthrown by a younger generation Prince, many heroes have within them aspects of the Rebel archetype. Famous Rebel of Antiquity: Prometheus. Famous classical Rebel: Robin Hood. Modern example: Katniss Everdeen. See Archetypes.
Ancient archetype. To some extent, many Prince heroes, while primarily another archetype, will have a part of the Lover archetype within them, since very often stories culminate in the union of Prince and Princess as a symbol of the new, usually benevolent order established by the younger generation – and a union tends to be preceded by a bit of lovemaking. Famous classical Lover: Lancelot. Modern example: James Bond. See Archetypes.
Ancient archetype that may be understood in at least three different ways.
Famous Shapechanger: Proteus. Modern example: most Marvel superheroes. See Archetypes.
Ancient archetype. See Inventor.
Ancient archetype. The creator as Artist and Inventor represents humankind’s technical ingenuity. Interestingly, this figure often demonstrates an amoral stance, creating things irrespective of positive or adverse effects. In many ways a forerunner of the “mad scientist” stereotype. Famous Inventor: Daedalus. Modern example: Doc Emmett Brown (Back To The Future). See Archetypes.
Ancient archetype. The Trickster relies on wits rather than brawn, which is not to say she lacks courage. Instead of direct confrontation or combat, the Trickster will seek a clever ruse to reach an objective. Famous Trickster: Odysseus. Modern example: Tyrion Lannister. See Archetypes.
Ancient archetype. See Warrior.
Ancient archetype. Also, Fighter. Many heroes are at least in part this archetype. Conflict is essential to stories, and war is the most outward form of conflict. Since stories require the characters to be active, we must not wonder that fighting, as the most obvious way of showing conflict, is often a part of stories, and that therefore many heroes do not achieve their ends, however just, by peaceful means. Famous Warrior: Achilles. Modern example: Mad Max. See Archetypes.
Ancient archetype. See Ally.
Ancient archetype. See Ally.
Ancient archetype. Also: Friend, Companion. Every hero needs helpers. There must always be someone who shows the way, provides a sounding board for the hero’s concerns, and demonstrates possible alternative courses of action. Distinct from the False Ally, who reveals him or herself as an opponent in the second half of the story. Famous Ally: Ariadne. Modern example: Ron Weasley.
For details, read Relationships Between Characters, Part 1: Allies.
For a list of archetypes, see Archetypes.
Ancient archetype. The Tester appears in many stories though rarely as a major figure, because he usually has the function of providing the hero with one of the first tests or obstacles on the story journey. As such, the Tester is not truly antagonistic, though he may have been sent by that force. He is likely to appear after the hero is commited to the story journey, and probably before the pivotal midpoint. Famous Testers: Any of the twelve Heracles had to deal with. See Archetypes.
Ancient archetype. See Mentor.
Ancient archetype. Also: Advisor. The wise old man who guides and advises the Prince or Hero. As such the Mentor is an ally, and a particularly powerful archetype since he embodies the positive qualities of the Patriarch father-figure without the associated negative qualities of the old order. Famous example: Mentor (who was mentor to Telemachus, son of Odysseus). Famous modern example: Obi-Wan Kenobi. See Archetypes.
Ancient archetype. See Matriarch.
Ancient archetype. See Matriarch.
Ancient archetype. Also: Queen, Mother. The compliment of the Patriarch. Actually, this archetype has more variation than the male equivalent, ranging from ruler of the hearth to ruler of a whole society, and often – though not necessarily – bearing connotations of nurturing care, peacemaking, wisdom, and the civilising influence. Famous Matriarch: Hera. Modern example: Roseanne. See Archetypes.
Ancient archetype. See Princess.
Ancient archetype. Also: Daughter. Like the Prince, the Princess represents the new generation, who initially is under the dominion of the old order represented by the Patriarch and Matriarch, but who is likely to succeed to the kingdom by the end of the story, usually in union with a Prince. Famous Princess: Andromeda. Modern example: Princess Leia. See Archetypes.
Ancient archetype. See Patriarch.
Ancient archetype. See Patriarch.
Ancient archetype. Also: King, Father. The Patriarch represents the father-figure, not only to individual children, but to an entire group or community. His role is thus kingly. Rarely is the Patriarch the hero of a story, since in many stories involving this archetype that station is occupied by the son (the Prince), who takes over the kingdom in the end. Famous Patriarch: Zeus. Modern example: The Godfather. See Archetypes.
Ancient archetype. See Prince.
Ancient archetype. Also: Son. In many stories of classical antiquity the hero is the Prince archetype, since perhaps the most archetypal story structure involves the son renewing the world order by taking over the position of the Patriarch. Famous Prince: Orestes. Modern example: Luke Skywalker. See Archetypes.
