Examples Of Archetypes In King Arthur

Around the world, there are very different myths and legends, each suiting a specific culture’s beliefs. But amongst those different tales, there are certain elements, such as themes, character types and design, that keep showing up. These recurrences are called archetypes. One type of archetypes are character archetypes. Prevalent in myths from Sigurd the Volsung to Gilgamesh, character archetypes are character types. In the Medieval British tale King Arthur three character archetypes are prominent; the Hero, the Mentor, and the Villain. These archetypes are universal, found in myths from around the world.

One ubiquitous archetype that is present in King Arthur is the Hero. Born into unusual circumstances, usually danger or royalty, the

Described as a wise old being, the Mentor aids the protagonist on their journey, sometimes by teaching them the skills necessary for them to complete their quest or giving a weapon to the protagonist that only they can wield. Merlin helped King Arthur throughout his adventures, from proving King Arthur’s right to rule to rebellious nobles, telling them “ . . . [Arthur’s] blood is more noble than your own! [He] is King Uther Pendragon's son . . . ”, to helping King Arthur gain “. . . the sword Excalibur . . . and [Excalibur's] sheath . . . [which as] long as [King Arthur wears] the scabbard, no matter how wounded, [ he ] will not lose a drop of blood.” Odin, the Ruler of Norse gods in the Scandinavian epic Sigurd the Volsung is an example that shows the universality of the Mentor archetype. Odin is there along the journey of Sigurd, the protagonist, advising him to to success. Odin’s counsel ranges from devising a test to choose a battle horse for Sigurd, to advising him to “ . . . dig many pits leading off from . . . ” the hole in which Sigurd can conceal himself and pierce Fafnir, a fierce dragon, without drowning in its