Examples Of Archetypes In The Odyssey

An archetype is a character, action, or situation that seems to represent universal patterns of human nature. Female archetypes give literary works realism as the situations are drawn from the experiences of the world. In literature, the female archetype can symbolize a Temptress, an Earth Mother, and a Damsel in Distress.

The Temptress is a woman whose physical attraction gives the hero pleasure, but usually acts negatively in the hero’s life. In The Odyssey by Homer, the Sirens are bird-like creatures with a woman’s head who has incredible voices. A description of what happens when anyone goes near the Sirens is found in The Odyssey, “The Sirens enchant all who come near them. If anyone draws in too close and hears the singing, his wife and children will never welcome him home again.” Clearly, if “anyone draws in too close” they will be lured by the Siren's sweet voices into the dangerous waters below the Sirens. The “wife and children will never welcome him home again”

because the ship crashes into the rocks and takes the lives of the sailor and his crew. As you can see, the Sirens give the sailors pleasure with their voices, but they are ultimately responsible for their death making the Sirens a Temptress.

The Earth Mother offers spiritual and emotional guidance to those she contacts.

In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy leaves Kansas and lands in Munchkinland. She is trying to reach the Emerald City to be able to return to Kansas. Glinda becomes the Earth Mother to Dorothy by guiding her along the yellow brick road and protecting her from the Wicked Witch of the West. Glinda says to Dorothy, “Never let those ruby slippers off those feet for a moment… all you do is follow the yellow brick road.” Dorothy is to “never let those ruby slippers off those feet” because the Wicked Witch is trying to take the shoes for herself to acquire the magic from the shoes. Glinda tells Dorothy this to protect her from the Wicked Witch of the West. Glinda says “to follow the yellow brick road” that will take her to the Emerald City to see Oz so she can return to Kansas. Glinda provides guidance and protection to Dorothy so her dream of returning to Kansas can come true which is why Glinda is the Earth Mother to

Dorothy.

The Damsel in Distress is a vulnerable woman who must be rescued by the hero. She is usually placed in a dire predicament by a villain or monster, and is in need of rescuing. Princess Aurora is put into a deep sleep from a spell by the villain Maleficent when she is a baby. The fairy Meriwether says “From this slumber you shall wake, when true love’s kiss, the spell shall break.” Maleficent has put a spell on Princess Aurora that will put her into a "slumber" on her sixteenth birthday. This spell will only break by “true love’s kiss.” Prince Phillip is informed by fairies, that are Princess Aurora’s protectors, that he needs to go to the castle to wake up Princess Aurora. Prince Phillip fights off and kills a dragon and then climbs a all tower to reach the Princess. Prince Phillip delivers a “true love’s kiss” which saves Princess Aurora from the spell. Prince Phillip and Princess Aurora end up marrying and living happily ever after. Princess Aurora was put under a spell in which she would never wake up, but was rescued by the hero which makes her the Damsel in Distress.