Hero Archetype: Aloy and Joel Analysis – 5 Key Points

Contents:

• What is an archetype?
• Archetypes: Definition and Meaning
• The Hero Archetype: The Path to Transformation

Archetypes are a powerful tool for creating engaging and memorable characters in games and literature. They help players and readers intuitively understand the roles characters play in the plot. Using archetypes allows authors to deepen characters and add layers, making stories more engaging and captivating. Understanding archetypes helps create deeper, more expressive characters that can easily evoke an emotional response in the audience.

In our research, the Skillbox Media editorial team examined archetypes and their manifestations in various media formats. We worked with Vitaly Aleksashin, narrative designer at Banzai.Games, to analyze key tropes in more depth. While it's impossible to cover every archetype, we'll focus on a few of the most relevant and common ones.

In this article, we explore the hero archetype in detail. For information on other character archetypes, we recommend checking out our special project, "Jung Helps: Understanding Character Archetypes."

What is an archetype?

Archetypes are universal images and ideas that form in the human mind and manifest in various forms of art, including literature, film, painting, theater, and video games. This important concept was developed by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung. Archetypes can serve as the basis for creating characters and plots, reflecting deep human experiences and cultural traditions. Understanding archetypes helps us better analyze works of art and their impact on society, and also reveals the mechanisms of interaction between the creator and the viewer.

Carl Jung explored the concept of the collective unconscious, a shared psychic space within humanity that is inaccessible to conscious awareness. The collective unconscious includes archetypes—innate images and behavior patterns that appear in cultures throughout history. These archetypes form the basis of our perception and interaction with the world, influencing personal and cultural narratives. Research into the collective unconscious helps us understand how shared psychological structures influence individual and societal processes, as well as the development of cultural traditions and myths.

Archetypes play a prominent role in myths, legends, and dreams, representing universal figures such as the femme fatale, the wise teacher, and the rebel. These archetypes remain relevant, continuing to influence contemporary art, film, games, and music. They help create profound and memorable stories, reflecting human experiences and emotions. The study of archetypes allows for a better understanding of cultural traditions and universal values, making them an important tool in analyzing creative works.

Carl Jung and his followers developed various classifications of archetypes, but Jung himself emphasized that these categories are arbitrary. He pointed out that the number of archetypes is infinite, and the boundaries between them are often blurred. This speaks to the complexity of the human psyche and the fact that archetypes can manifest in various forms and combinations, making their study particularly interesting and multifaceted.

Archetypes accompany every typical moment in our lives. Their endless repetition has imprinted these experiences on the structure of our psyche. Archetypes do not always manifest as content-filled images; rather, they exist as forms without content. These forms represent possibilities for perception and action, influencing our behavior and thinking. Understanding archetypes helps us gain a deeper understanding of how we perceive and respond to the world around us.

An excerpt from Carl Gustav Jung's book, "Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious," explores key concepts related to archetypes and their influence on the collective unconscious. Jung argues that archetypes are universal symbolic images that are present in the myths, dreams, and art of various cultures. These archetypes form the foundation of human experience and help people make sense of their lives and the world around them. Understanding archetypes promotes deep self-knowledge and personal development, and also allows us to identify common patterns of behavior and thought inherent to humanity as a whole. By exploring the collective unconscious, Jung opens new horizons for psychology and offers unique tools for analyzing the human psyche. Archetypes should not be viewed as rigid templates for character creation. This tool serves narrative designers and screenwriters, helping them create vivid images that integrate naturally into the plot. By using elements of ancient myths and legends, developers establish a connection between characters and the collective unconscious, evoking specific emotions in players. Effective use of archetypes can significantly enhance storytelling and deepen the emotional experience of a game, making characters more memorable and engaging.

Archetypes: Definition and Meaning

Archetypes are universal and timeless images that appear in various aspects of culture, including literature, film, and video games. The concept of the archetype was coined by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung, who studied the collective unconscious and its influence on human behavior. Archetypes help us understand the underlying motifs and symbols that permeate various works of art, creating common themes and images for viewers and readers. These archetypes serve as important tools for analyzing and interpreting cultural phenomena, and provide insight into human experiences and emotional reactions.

A central concept in Carl Jung's work is the collective unconscious—a psychic structure inherent in all people that is beyond conscious control. The collective unconscious contains archetypes, which are innate images and behavior patterns that shape our perception of the world and influence personal and cultural phenomena. Understanding these archetypes can provide a deeper understanding of both individual and collective behavior, as well as their emotional reactions and internal conflicts. Research into the collective unconscious opens new horizons for psychotherapy and self-knowledge, allowing a better understanding of the mental processes that influence our behavior and emotional state.

Archetypes appear in myths, legends, and fairy tales from various cultures and can also be reflected in our dreams. Common archetypes include the wise mentor, the femme fatale, and the rebel. These archetypes play a vital role in shaping the collective unconscious, helping us understand deep aspects of human nature and behavior. They serve as universal symbols that convey important life lessons and help us cope with internal conflicts. Understanding archetypes can deepen our appreciation of literature and art, as well as enhance personal development and self-awareness. Carl Jung's work remains relevant and in demand in modern society. The influence of his archetypes can be seen in various areas of popular culture, such as film, video games, visual art, and music. Archetype images serve as the basis for creating characters with distinct personalities. These elements permeate the plots and style of works, enriching their meaning and emotional component. Understanding Jungian archetypes allows for the creation of deeper and more multilayered narratives, making them appealing to a wide audience.

Various classifications of archetypes have been proposed by both Carl Jung and his followers. However, Jung himself emphasized the conventionality of these classifications. Archetypes do not have rigid and fixed forms, but represent an infinite variety of images, where the boundaries between them can be blurred. This emphasizes the dynamism and changeability of archetypes, which allows them to adapt to various cultural and historical contexts. It is important to understand that archetypes are universal symbols that can manifest in a wide variety of forms and interpretations.

Archetypes are important elements of our psyche, and their number corresponds to the number of typical situations we encounter in life. These archetypes shape our perceptions and actions, not as specific images, but as universal forms that help us navigate the world. The endless repetition of these situations imprints experience on our psyche, creating the basis for certain types of perception and behavior. Understanding archetypes can significantly enrich our awareness and interaction with the reality around us.

Carl Gustav Jung's work "Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious" emphasizes the importance of archetypes in shaping human experience. Jung emphasizes that archetypes represent universal symbols and behavior patterns that influence our perception of and interaction with the world. These unconscious images shape our culture, art, and individual consciousness, playing a key role in understanding human psychology. Exploring archetypes helps us gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that govern our behavior and collective consciousness.

Archetypes should not be viewed as rigid templates for creating characters. Rather, they are tools used by narrative designers and screenwriters to develop characters that fit naturally into the plot. By using archetypal images based on myths and legends, creators establish a connection between the characters and the collective unconscious. This allows them to evoke specific emotions in the audience and enhances the perception of the story. Understanding archetypes helps create deeper and more memorable characters, which ultimately improves the quality of storytelling and makes it more engaging for audiences.

The Hero Archetype: The Journey to Transformation

The hero archetype is a powerful symbol of inner transformation and overcoming challenges necessary for personal growth. Heroes embody perseverance, courage, and the pursuit of high ideals, both personal and societal. They boldly confront evil, making decisions and taking actions that many would choose to ignore. Heroes inspire action and serve as role models, demonstrating that even in the most challenging circumstances, success and change are possible.

Facing internal and external conflicts is a key element of the hero's journey, giving characters a multi-layered and engaging experience. Vitaly Aleksashin, narrative designer at Banzai.Games, emphasizes that the protagonist must have both explicit and hidden goals for their development to be meaningful. Such conflicts not only deepen the plot but also make the characters more realistic, allowing the viewer or reader to understand their motivations and inner experiences. This creates a compelling narrative that captures attention and fosters an emotional connection with the protagonist. According to psychoanalytic theory, the hero represents the ego, and their adventures are a metaphor for the process of maturation and separation from ancestral roots. In his book "The Hero with a Thousand Faces," Joseph Campbell explores how heroes leave their familiar environments to encounter surprising and supernatural forces. Overcoming these challenges, they return enriched with new experiences and knowledge. This journey symbolizes not only personal growth but also profound transformation, affirming the importance of self-discovery and overcoming adversity in every person's life.

In game worlds, the hero archetype often manifests itself through characters overcoming personal challenges. For example, Aloy from the Horizon series faces a devastating cult attack on her tribe, prompting her to embark on a perilous journey to uncover the secret of her origin. This adventure becomes not only a physical challenge but also a profound emotional process that fosters her inner development. Such stories emphasize the importance of overcoming obstacles and self-discovery within the context of a game's narrative structure.

Characters with the hero archetype should have depth and layering. They don't have to be perfect; the presence of hidden abilities or internal conflicts makes them more realistic and appealing. For example, Geralt of Rivia is a strong warrior, but his emotional attachment to Ciri and other women sometimes makes him vulnerable, adding complexity to his character. Such nuances humanize heroes and allow viewers or readers to empathize with them.

Narrative designers warn of the risks associated with creating the perfect hero. Aleksashin emphasizes that a well-developed character should have some mystery, which makes them more appealing to the audience. Intriguing characters with depth and complexity are able to hold viewers' attention and evoke an emotional response. Unique traits and hidden motives can greatly enrich a plot, adding interesting twists and developing themes of conflict. It's important to remember that idealized characters are often less believable and may fail to evoke empathy, while layered characters with flaws and secrets create a deeper connection with the audience.

In the first game, The Last of Us, Joel is a mercenary focused solely on his own gain. However, a fateful encounter with Ellie radically changes his life. She awakens in him feelings of care and responsibility, which over time becomes his main goal - to protect Ellie in this harsh post-apocalyptic world.

Ellie undergoes a significant transformation in The Last of Us: Part 2, moving from an inexperienced child to a determined fighter. This process underscores her hero's journey and explores important themes such as struggle, loss, and revenge. Over the course of the game, Ellie faces new challenges that contribute to her development and character formation. Ellie's transformation becomes a central theme, demonstrating how circumstances can change a person and force them to make difficult decisions.

The hero archetype in video games and literature continues to be an important theme, opening up opportunities for deep analysis of human nature, internal conflicts, and the process of self-discovery. This archetype allows writers and developers to create multi-layered characters who face a variety of challenges, reflecting real human emotions and experiences. Exploring the hero archetype helps better understand how characters overcome challenges and transform throughout their adventures. This way, themes related to heroism remain relevant and engage audiences, contributing to the creation of captivating stories and experiences.