The Hobbit Test; Archetypal Plots & The Princess Bride (day 1)

This morning we will take our test on The Hobbit. Please answer the test question with as much detail as possible.

When we are done with the test, we'll go next door to begin watching The Princess Bride.

Read the information about archetypes, then as we watch the film, please choose one of the archetypal plots and explain (in sentences) how the film follows this archetypal pattern (and which characters or events are involved in that plot). It may be helpful to summarize the plot you are examining.

If you need a plot, try an archetype:

An archetype--meaning arche (original) and type (form) is a pattern that many writers use to pattern their plots. It's helpful for a writer to be familiar with some of the basic plot and character archetypes so that you know what a reader expects in a story.

Archetype, or "original pattern", is a model from which other characters or stories are based. Archetype is as old as human storytelling and continues throughout contemporary literature (just that you don't always notice it as archetype).

When an author uses an archetype, he is patterning his character(s) or plot after other types of that kind. For example: character archetypes might include: 1. The hero 2. the protective mother 3. the prostitute with a heart of gold 4. the trickster or 5. the evil or cruel master.

Plot archetype might include: 1. the Rags to Riches plot 2. the Quest 3. Transformation or 4. traditional love story: boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back.

There are many, many more. And yes, archetype used too often, can create stereotypes.
The ones that we will focus on can be used with the Action or Adventure genre. Let's take a look. For each type, jot down some films, books, or stories you have read or watched that fit the archetype.

The Quest
The quest is traditionally a journey about the self.
1. The story starts at Protagonist’s home
2. Protagonist is pushed or spurred into action
3. The decision to ACT leads to the first major event
This first event is called a Motivating Incident
The main character has both:
Intent= to find the goal
motivation=reason for wanting to achieve it
4. The protagonist rarely travels alone; helpful characters aid the protagonist
5. Usually, the quest includes a series of incidents (actions) that help to develop the protagonist
The author must ask: what difficulties would make the most interesting and challenging obstacles for the protagonist.
6 The final act of the story includes a revelation, epiphany, discovery or realization about the main character’s life or personal situation.
7. Often, additional complications arise as a result of the protagonist obtaining his goal.
8. The protagonist usually returns home, making a complete circle. He returns changed, developed.

The Adventure
1. The focus of this plot is on the action (journey), not the person making the journey.
2. Story concerns traveling into an unknown or new place.
3. The hero's goal is never found in the self or at home, but in the new places visited.
4. The Hero must be motivated by someone or something; the intent is not as important as motivation.
5. The Hero doesn't necessarily need to change in any meaningful way by the end of the story.
6. Adventures often include romance (see the Romance plot below).

Romance

1. The protagonist falls in love with another character (the object of affection)
2. There should always be an obstacle that prevents the object of affection from getting together romantically with the beloved
3. The first attempt at romance is always thwarted or delayed and put off
4. Characters are often caught up in their personal emotions and problems
5. Lovers are tested by a series of problems or conflicts (often from the outside)
6. If the love is "forbidden", then the characters also have to come to terms with the society or culture that is preventing them from being together
7. Lovers will usually get together at the end of the plot (in forbidden love plots, however, usually they don't)

The Chase & The Rescue

1. The chase: A protagonist either is chased by some sort of antagonist, or a protagonist is chasing an antagonist--often those accused or suspected of a crime.
2. The chase: The story involves several near "catches" but eventually ends with the protagonist winning. If a character is caught, see "The Rescue": 
3. The rescue: Someone captured might be released by the hero (or the hero escapes). A triangle often forms between the protagonist, the antagonist, and the captured victim. There is usually a big fight at the climax of the story between hero and villain resulting in the freedom of the victim. Slave narratives and the archetype of the princess in the castle fall into this category as well. 

Transformation/Coming of Age:

1. The protagonist changes internally more than externally
2. The focus of the plot is on the change itself; how it happens and how the protagonist reacts to it
3. The protagonist moves from one period of their life to another. Example: Adolescence to Adulthood
4. The protagonist must learn to understand and cope with this change; conflict arises when the protagonist cannot cope or fails to understand what is happening
5. The change or transformation is often gradual
6. As a result of the change, usually the protagonist learns something valuable about himself; there is a gain of wisdom but usually at the price of a certain sadness.