The Scribbler's Guide to the Land of Myth: Mythic Motifs for Storytellers by Sarah Beach

Author:Sarah Beach [Beach, Sarah]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Writing Skills, Reference
ISBN: 9781419697074
Google: b-XOOgAACAAJ
Publisher: Booksurge Publishing
Published: 2008-09-15T04:00:00+00:00

SECTION FOUR – PROFESSIONAL SPECIALISTS

I have often been frustrated by the fact that the seven traditional Archetypes did not always help me understand the specifics of a character (either one of my own creation or one in someone else’s story). After looking at lists of character types with labels like Cop and Librarian, which seemed far too specific and limiting, I found a grouping that seemed very useful. A combination of social functions and character qualities, they can help us define how characters influence and shape certain stories. I call this group the Professional Specialists. They are not meant to replace the traditional Archetypes, but rather to supplement them. Indeed, you will also find some subdivisions with certain of these Archetypes, which will elaborate specific aspects of the Archetype.

So, without further ado, let us meet these storytelling friends.

The Innocent or Fool

Before you wrinkle your brow, I’d better explain the use of the term Fool. I don’t mean someone who is a complete idiot, or a madman. Well, actually, those definitions might apply if you want to tell a story about such characters. But I’m focused more on the blithe, careless type of character who will step out into anything without thinking. You may prefer to use the term Innocent.

However, Innocent also needs some definition. At its Latin source, the word refers to someone who does not do injury. General definitions of the term will get you descriptions like free of evil or pure or unoffending. Frequently, those who would be called innocent are also inexperienced in the ways of the world. But if there’s one thing you need to be clear on, that is that innocent is not necessarily the same as ignorant.

Your Fools and Innocents are the sort of Hero often found in Fish-Out-of-Water type stories. He’s the type of character whose eyes become opened to the world as he goes along. She’s the sort who gains an education as the story progresses. A certain lack of self-awareness frequently marks the Innocent or Fool. He might not be aware that he is either destined to be, or is growing into, a very real Hero, of the type people admire. Also, because this Hero usually lacks experience of the world at large, he may be more idealistic than those around him.

Out of the mists of legend, we can find this model in Perceval.

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