Greek God Archetypes

     An archetype is a universal symbol. It is also a term from the criticism that accepts Jung’s idea of recurring patterns of situation, character, or symbol existing universally and instinctively in the collective unconscious of man.

Jung’s idea of experiences of synchronicity included the presence of archetypes. An archetype is an ideal example or model person that others copy or base their actions upon. Jung had archetypes such as the animus, the anima, and the shadow. The animus is expressed as a masculine inner personality in females, while the anima is expressed as a feminine inner personality in males. The shadow archetype consists of repressed shortcomings, weaknesses, and instincts. These archetypes are of the collective unconscious, and not based on people in their daily lives.

An archetype is the original pattern or model all things of the same kind are copied or on which they are based, also known as a model or first form. In the twentieth century, Swiss Psychiatrist, Carl Jung used the concept of archetypes in his theory of human psyche. He believed that archetypes resided within the unconscious, which resulted in recognizable patterns of behavior with probable outcomes. Throughout history, archetypes have been used to display a message or mood to the audience, and determine the character's position in the plot of the story. Just like a hero is an archetype for bravery, a devil is an archetype for defeat.

Their personal tendencies reflect anger and an untouchable attitude. They are required to upset the balance, immerse themselves into situations, and are portrayed as protagonists in literature realism. Kesey has exhibited McMurphy with flaws and realistic features. Anti- heroes wear their scars, and have many imperfections not only on the surface but also beneath. McMurphy’s visible scars show he has not lived a perfect life, immediately it is detectable he is not one to hold himself back from situations, even if violence is involved. Whilst looking at physical flaws and violent attributes, the anti- hero Deadpool is comparable to McMurphy. Both characters are visibly flawed, but have behavioral similarities such as their boisterous behavior, upsetting the balance and often causing chaos, callous behaviour to those on their opposing side but will not harm the innocent , and often having unpredictable actions. McMurphy’s and Deadpool’s rebellious actions and tendencies to push the limits too far, often placing them in strife. Deadpool was used as a torturous experiment deforming his body before he initially began his role as an anti- hero, where as McMurphy received his shock treatment and frontal lobotomy as a result of being an anti- hero. Although each anti- heroes story had alternative outcomes, their physical and emotional flaws relate them to one

An archetype would be known as a universal symbol, may be a character, a theme or even a setting. In the story Sir Gawain and The Green Knight, the knights of Camelot get confronted by a mysterious figure known as the Green Knight. The Green Knight proposes a challenge on a New Year’s Eve feast for Camelot’s leader or bravest man. Gawain accepts this challenge in which he has to complete to obtain Camelot’s honor. The Green Knight presents himself as a threat to Camelot because of the way he presents himself and his request. Throughout the poem of Sir Gawain and The Green Knight, the reader can conclude how a single character can play many archetypal roles.

The archetype (in Jungian psychology) is a primitive mental image inherited from the earliest human ancestors, and is supposed to be present in the collective unconscious; basically this means that human beings have subconsciously passed down human stereotypes from generation to generation. This can be used to explain the striking resemblance between many stories all through time; it can be based on plot, characters, or even passing symbols. The resemblance between characters can be seen in the three Greek plays The Odyssey, Oedipus Rex, and Antigone, which share the archetypal characteristics of a hero, sage, and villain.

As Hephaestus is notified of Thetis’ arrival, he explores what their relationship has meant to him. Hephaestus recalls that “Thetis saved my life when the mortal pain came on me after my great fall…” (P. 480) After Hephaestus falls out of Zeus’ good graces, Thetis is able to lend her helping hand, displaying the hierarchical dynamic between the gods. The gods are indebted to each other, the likely reason that Hephaestus felt as though he needed to make Thetis the ornate shield. The duty and obligation to each other fuels the mutualistic relationships between the gods. Thetis’ motivation to help Hephaestus was not solely out of kindness; rather Thetis saw the opportunity to make a strategic move and put Hephaestus in her debt, knowing that she very well could use his services in her future. Hephaestus describes the pain that he felt as “mortal pain” signifying a distinction between the discomforts and vulnerability of mortals and gods.

Have you ever been in a classroom and the Greek god Atlas was brought up? Atlas was a well known god. He was the leader of the Titans in their battles against the Olympians. Atlas is a Greek god with an interesting family history, a unique personality, and a couple interesting myths he was involved in.

What is an archetype? An archetype is a universal symbol, may be a character, a theme, a symbol or even a setting. (Literary Devices, 2016). Archetypes can be used to describe different types of people. People can be any type of archetype good or bad.

In my research I have learned an addition of facts and stories about Greek mythology. Like how “the Pegasus and Chrysor came from the blood of Medusa’s head after Perseus cut it off” (Greek Mythology). Or how the “Amazonian group of warriors was all females” (Greek Mythology). The more that I have research about my topic the more fascinating and interesting it becomes. I hope that everyone will further their research and knowledge on this topic whether it’s reading a book, researching on the Internet, or even just watching a movie.

Loki is known as the trickster god of Norse mythology and is even said to be one of the first anti-heroes. He is also probably one of the most well-known tricksters as well. In the Norse myths, he is often portrayed as being very mischievous and is always causing trouble for the gods. In fact, “he was so outrageously mischievous that he even sneaked his way into becoming a god” (Allen, and Saunders, par. 1). However, even though he almost always seems to be getting the gods into some kind of trouble, he also helps them at times in an attempt to get them out of their predicaments…even if those predicaments are his own fault to begin with.

2. What is an archetype? An archetype is something or a figure that typically explains a person or thing.

loki is from the Norse Mythology. His was the son queen Farbauti and king Laufey. His a god, father of hel, the wolf fenrir and the world serpent. He helps the god but sometimes he acted malicious towards them.

Loki is the embodiment of, “Of course it was Loki. It 's always Loki.” Loki is unquestionably the biggest question mark within Norse mythology. He is portrayed as a scheming, mischievous deity who has no real loyalties, his role is shrouded in mystery; what was his purpose in the ancient stories. Loki’s character arises questions about his role; was he a plot device, a foil for the Aesir, or maybe he was meant to be used as a warning to child? Within the pantheon of Norse gods, he was an anomaly; his fellow gods are mostly one dimensional and Loki is anything but. Loki is the antithesis to the culture the Norse gods represented; honor, courage, fidelity, truth, discipline, hospitality, industriousness, self reliance, perseverance. Loki is

The formulation of the archetypes is described as an empirically derived concept, like that of the atom; it is a concept based not only on medical evidence but on observations of mythical, religious and literary phenomena, these archetypes are considered to be primordial images, spontaneous products of the psyche which do not reflect any physical process, but are reflected in them (Jung 54).