We live in a world of Archetypes. We are labeled, boxed, and packaged neatly, shipped off to whatever market fits us best.

It can be both negative, and positive. We also exist in a world where problems have arisen from using an archetype, labeling people a threat who are not. But how can we use Archetypes more consciously, and for good?

If someone has ever asked you your star sign, then you gave them your answer, and their follow-up with your response is, “That makes sense” You probably understand the dilemma.

“I get that makes sense… but… WHY DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?”

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF ARCHETYPE: “A constantly-recurring symbol or motif in literature, painting, or mythology.”

You can find Archetypes across multiple generations, throughout society, both modern and ancient.

The Greek Gods are archetypes. The book Goddesses in Every Woman and Gods in Every Man by Jean Shinoda Bolen describes the archetypal gods and how they may attune to you, matching your personality type.

A way to get an understanding of who you are and who you are around others.

It’s the same with Myers-Briggs. I am an INFJ, but that’s not something that fully encapsulates me; it’s just four letters, and most people reading this may not know what those four letters actually mean. It’s another way, however, to find out a little bit more about yourself, to get a base understanding of the general person you are.

Your star signs: Gemini, Aries, Scorpio, Cancer, etc.

You’re Chinese Zodiac: Tiger, Rooster, Horse, Monkey, Dragon, etc.

You can find archetypes in classic fairytales: The knight, the king, the jester, the maiden, the hero, etc.

All of these are simply generalizations of the actual entity.

Which causes me to believe: If someone says to me “That makes sense,” when I tell them I’m a Gemini, and my instant response is, “Tell me how does that make sense?” I can then assume that my characters feel the exact same way.

That can make archetypes a perfect starting line. If you are having difficulty navigating a story or shaping a character, the first thing that you can do is ask what role they play in a story.

If it’s the hero, then you start there. If it’s the jester, then you start there.

If you are more attuned to Greek Gods, or even Catholic Saints for that matter, or maybe you love The Lord of the Rings, and you want to create a Smeagol-like character, sad, forgotten, and lost, but with an addiction so great that it will happily sacrifice everything to get it back.

Maybe you’ve watched Heated Rivalry, and you want to create a similar archetype: gay athlete living in a homophobic world, who can’t get out of the closet, for fear of being othered, but finds a possible way out. Or a way to stay hidden in plain sight.

You can pick and choose, but it will always be a starting line.

Hero will not encapsulate the character

Maiden will not encapsulate the character

Artemis will not encapsulate the character

Scorpio will not encapsulate the character

And your character doesn’t want you to assume. The character wants you to find out more about them; it wants to build a relationship.

So be mindful, when you start here, you should come prepared with follow-up questions.

You can start at the hero and go:

“You are a hero, you are brave, you have a heart of gold, you will win.”

and your character may invite you deeper. “and?”

“Well, let me ask you, what gave you bravery?”

“My parents weren’t around much, so I had to fend for myself most of the time. I stole when wars raged and bartered the goods I stole, so I had to get tough quickly.”

“Some would say that’s against the law. What gave you the heart of gold?”

“I had siblings I had to take care of, and I would have killed for them.”

“Have you ever killed?”

Maybe the character doesn’t want to talk about that here. So maybe go off into a safe space to talk about it.

So begin somewhere, and go deeper. Lets try another example.

hmmm… how about…

Let’s utilize one of Chekhov’s 11 Archetypal Gesture:

Let’s use push.

Typically, we would do this in space as a physical movement, but since we are currently “in page”, let’s imagine what it is like to push something, let your character push. Then ask:

“Why do you push?”

“I push because I can.”

“That’s not the answer I was hoping for. Can you be more specific?”

“I push because if I don’t, then someone will push for me.”

“So you’re pushing because you don’t want anyone to push for you, you want to do things yourself?”

“I like to do things for myself, but it’s not for myself.”

“Who’s it for?”

“It’s a punishment.”

“Are you Sysiphus?”

“No, I’m not Sisyphus, but I can see what you mean, it’s a Sisyphean dilemma, me pushing.”

“What are you pushing?”

“I push others.”

“Out of the way?”

“Towards.”

“Are you a motivational speaker punished to speak motivationally for all of eternity, pushing people who desire many things and watching them inevitably fail?”

“Correct.”

“Do you ever see anyone succeed?”

“No, I don’t.”

“That’s very sad. Why not?”

“Because the thing I’m punished to motivate with is false. I tell lies, and am forced to tell lies.”

“Who is forcing you to do this?”

“I wish I could say here.”

Listen, I don’t know about you, but I’m intrigued. That’s the kind of curiosity that I ask you to invite for your characters. Go down the rabbit hole of who it is that they are. But start somewhere; you can find a general starting point, which may inform them of who they actually are.

In the above example, he may be pushing, but he may also be lifting others to a greater height. But him pushing makes sense because he is not getting anyone higher; he is only stirring the emotions of others at a lateral plane. Unable to lift because he does not have the tools to do so. Whether that’s because he hasn't been granted it or it has been taken away, we won’t know until we ask, and he’s ready to share.

This is how you can continue working on your character utilizing Archetypes.

COACHING

I have five slots available to take on students. I focus on the Chekhov Technique, but bring other concepts into it. My goal, always, is to help you grow as a holistic human being who creates art. Using art as an avenue to do that and share it with others.

If you’re interested, sign up for a free 30-minute session to see if this would be a good fit for you.

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