What are some archetypes (e.g. common character types)of fantasy fiction?

What are some archetypes (e.g. common character types) of fantasy fiction?

 “Fantasy presupposes a view of exterior reality which it goes on to contradict” (Attebery, 1980, p. 3). Vogler (1992) describes that there is ‘Seven Archetypes’ in novels such as fantasy fiction. That is, for example, the Hero, the Mentor, the Threshold Guardian, the Herald, the Shapeshifter, the Shadow and the Trickster. Classic fantasy does indeed have such archetypes, but there are so many kinds of common character types in fantasy fiction. Thus, from now on, I would like to briefly introduce some main archetypes by using the ‘Legend of Earthsea’.

Hero – A Hero possesses unusual powers and takes on a special role to protect in the kingdom or country. He is often rears by foster parents, or is become an outcast or outsider; or, this hero is spirited away and raised by strangers and later returns to his home as a stranger with new solutions to the kingdom's problems. The Ged was the hero in the Earthsea. He protected the Earthsea as his hidden magic power of the subconscious.

Mentor – A Mentor often call a loyal retainer, a best friend or a side kick. He is also become traveling companion with hero in novels. His duty is to protect hero and reflect his nobility. Vetch had supported and helped the Ged when he needed a assistance that occurred not only ordinary time but also a crucial moment.

Herald – A Herald often appears to bring a turning point to hero. I think that the Ogion had played a role of the Herald in the Earthsea. He changed the Ged`s viewpoint, and gave source of information about role of the magician (Filmic Narratives, Popular Genres week 8). In addition, the Ogion had played a Wizard (magician) role in the movie. "Martin says that a magician or mage is someone who uses or practices magic derived from supernatural or occult sources" (p. 54). The Ogion taught and convinced the Ged of hidden power of the subconscious. Furthermore, I think that the Archmagus, who was headmaster of Roke Academy, was also one of Heralds in the Earthsea. He taught and saved the Ged when he called the Lady Elfarren who imprisoned nameless ones ages ago.

Finally, I want to change the Shapeshifter, the Shadow and the Trickster character types to the Anti-hero and the Creature of nightmare character types.

Anti-hero – An Anti-hero is the typical dark side character in novels. People also call him antagonist or enemy. Anti-hero is a protagonist who has the opposite of most of the traditional attributes of a hero. He may be bewildered, ineffectual, deluded, or merely apathetic. More often an anti-hero is just an amoral misfit. The King Tygath was a good character as the Anti-hero in the Earthsea. The Tygath had wanted to conquer the Earthsea by using evil and bad power, and he had also tried to release imprisoned nameless ones to make and use as his powers.

Creature of nightmare - Creature of nightmare is a monster summoned from the darkest part of the human psyche to threaten the lives of the hero is a perversion of the human body. The Gebbeth, who came after Ged`s soul, was one of imprisoned nameless ones. He had had very evil spirits and bad things which killed innocent people to steal the body of innocent people, and tried to dominate the Earthsea using bad powers.

References

Attebery, B. (1980). Locating fantasy. In The Fantasy Tradition in American Literature: From Irving to Le Guinn (pp.2-9). Bloomington: Indiana U P, 1980.

Filmic Narratives. (Popular Genres week 8). Part II: Characterisation and Archetype. Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand.

Martin, P. (2002). The Writer's Guide to Fantasy Literature: From Dragon's Lair to Hero's Quest: How to Write Fantasy Stories of Lasting Value (1st ed. ed.). Waukesha, WI: Writer Books. p. 54.

Vogler, C. (1992). The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Storytellers and Screenwriters. Studio City, CA.: Michael Wiese Productions.