Archetypal+Criticism-6

=Archetypal Criticism =

Overview :
Archetype: "The original pattern or model from which all things of the same kind are copied or on which they are based; a model or first form; prototype," (dictionary.com). Archetypes are images such as the sun, a serpent, an apple, a garden or a tree and are characters such as "the hero", "the mother", "the soul mate" "the trickster", ect. In literature archetypal criticism says that archetypes determine the form of the book and the work's meaning is shaped by the cultural myths. Archetypes are found in all types of literature, cultures and languages. Archetypal criticism is based off of Carl Jung who came up with the theory of the collective unconscious which "is a universal datum, that is, every human being is endowed with this psychic archetype-layer since his/her birth. One can not acquire this strata by education or other conscious effort because it is innate," (carl-jung.net).

Critique :
Archetypal criticism is a valid way of reading a piece of literature because archetypes are found in all types of works and can be applied to nearly anything. Also this type of critical lens can break a book down to a simple state. But there is also much confusion over the definitions of the actual archetypes and the fact that people are more interested in concrete ideas rather than an collective unconscious.

Examples:
Odyssey - Homer The Golden Bough- James G. Frazer Star Wars

Works Cited :
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