Recurring Themes Of Archetypes In Literature

Archetypes are found in every story that has been told; although stories may seem unique in their premise, every single story is actually interconnected in several ways by archetypes. Recurring themes are found in stories with even the most dissimilar settings and protagonists. In “Momotaro: Boy-of-the-Peach” and “Theseus”, several of the same archetypes are found, though the protagonists possess different goals and experiences. These archetypes include a valiant hero, an evil villain, and the hero undergoing a quest to defeat this villain. This hero is often seen with alike traits and goals.

Archetypal heroes are the brave protagonists who represent the “good” that defeats the “evil”. Traits that accompany the roles of a hero are often the

Stories often have some sort of hero versus villain archetype of some variation, and this is seen in both stories. The ogres in “Momotaro” serve as the villains and have committed many horrible acts, resulting in Momotaro setting out to defeat them. “Then [the pheasant] called to the ogres, ‘Momotaro-san has come to rid the land of you and your many evil deeds. Give up your stolen treasures now, and perhaps he will spare your lives!’ When the ogres heard this, they laughed and shouted, ‘HO, HO, HO! We are not afraid of a little bird like you! We are not afraid of little Momotaro!’ ” (Uchida 1043). The ogres are cruel, plundering, murderous creatures, and when faced with justice by Momotaro, they do not surrender. As with the ogres from “Momotaro”, the Minotaur from “Theseus” also serves as the evildoer by killing the innocent youths sent to its labyrinth. “To this place the young Athenians were each time taken and left to the Minotaur. There was no possible way to escape. In whatever direction they ran, they might be running straight to the monster; if they stood still, he might at any moment emerge from the maze” (Hamilton 1030). Although the Minotaur is forced into its place as the villain, it is still a creature that kills and eats the innocent Athenians sent into its labyrinth. The evil creatures which serve as the villains opposing the protagonist are found in both stories and come in various forms. In order

Archetypal quests are often lengthy and involve arduous deeds, and friends are frequently found along the way to help the hero accomplish their goals. Momotaro sets out to the Island of the Ogres to defeat the ogres and retrieve the goods that they have stolen. He meets three animals along the way who at first are all untrusting of one another, but with Momotaro’s guidance and leadership, each individual plays a large part in helping Momotaro complete his quest. “Now there were four of them going to the Island of the Ogres, and as they walked down the path together, they became very good friends” (Uchida 1042). Momotaro’s quest begins with Momotaro anxious to arrive at the Island of the Ogres. His quest includes handing millet cakes to the ones he befriends, symbolizing his kindness. The animals learn to rely on one another along the way, overlooking the bitter fights that spark when they first encounter one another. Momotaro reaches the island of the ogres, and with the distractions of the pheasant and the use of brute force alongside the others to defeat the ogres, the ogres are defeated; the ogres themselves are the bringers of their downfall by scurrying in hordes into the sea, overcome by fear of Momotaro and his friends. Theseus’s purpose in his quest is to slaughter the Minotaur, who is the progeny of Pasiphaë and a bull, and was born due to divine intervention. King Minos