Archetypal Criticism:

Abstract

Term comes from " arch, " both an adjective and a prefix, and " type, " a noun. " Arch " as an adjective means literally " chief " or " principal. " As a prefix, it refers to " highest " or " most important. " Consider words like " archangel " or " archbishop. " " Type, " from the Latin " typus, " means an " image " or " impression. " It refers to a general character, trait, or structure commonly held in a certain group or class; it is an embodiment or example, a model with ideal features. A type may also be a figure, representation, or symbol of something to come. Consider words like " typical " or " typify. " In Mormonism we talk of " types and shadows. " By narrow definition, an archetype is an original model or type after which similar things are patterned; a prototype; an ideal example. As used in literature, an archetype is a recurrent, universal pattern that evokes a deep, emotional response in virtually all readers as it strikes a chord in their unconscious memory. Archetypal critics look for such patterns in literature, relying on archeology, anthropology, psychology, history, and religion to identify and explain the total human experience.