Why This is Good

The most obvious and known archetype is the hero. But the term hero as used for screenwriting and what it means as an archetype are different things. What I and many other screenwriting analysts deem the hero of your film, the protagonist or main character, is not necessarily a hero according to the definitions of the archetype. In my article on What it means to be a hero, I explain the difference between a heroic, true hero and the hero of your film.

An archetypal hero is a traditional, brave, selfless, heroic individual who works for the greater good, sacrifices him or herself for the sake of others, and typically goes on some sort of quest-literally or figuratively-to bring back something to his or her people, to save them, help them, heal them, cleanse them or enlighten them. Many protagonists are true, archetypal heroes, from obvious, mythologicaly based ones like Luke Skywalker, Spiderman, Harry Potter and Frodo, to less clear modern heroes like Woody from Toy Story or Forrest Gump.

The traits that heroes share come from the collective unconscious, reflected in the shared mythologies of the world, and despite differences in geography and chronology, are shared among all heroes.  In studying mythology, experts have identified these key traits that true heroes posses, as well as details about their lives and origins that are common among all heroes:

-Unusual circumstances surrounding their birth, or a noble, prophesized birth (Harry Potter, Simba).

-The hero is generally raised by someone else other than his parents, or forced to heave his home and travel to a strange world or place to grow up, unaware of his true origins (Spiderman, Harry Potter and Simba again, Luke Skywalker).

-The hero is called to a quest to save someone, do something, or bring something back to his people by travelling to a strange, dangerous land and facing many trials and obstacles (Frodo, Woody, Forrest Gump).

-The hero returns with whatever he gained on his journey, and uses his new knowledge, powers, or physical object to help others and claim his birthright (Simba, Frodo).

For more reading on archetypes and heroes, check out these resources:

The Hero With a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell

The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler

The Hero’s Two Journeys-Michael Hauge and Chris Vogler