world myth lotr archetypes

Galadriel

Blind Seer- she is blind in the present, but he can see the future and provides useful information to the hero ex: information were provided to Frodo what to do with the ring. She has helped Frodo by allowing him to see what will happen if he does not destroy the ring. The effect will be disastrous and painful.

Frodo Baggins

Classic Hero- self-sacrifice, the hero will endure separation and hardship for the sake of his people. He must pay a price to attain his goal. He must take a journey that often separates him from his family or the familiar and takes him into a new, unfamiliar, challenging world. He must often conquer a beast, will eventually marry a princess, become king and rule uneventfully until his death. ex: Frodo faces hardship throughout the story especially when he accepts to take the ring to Mordor. The ring makes him a target and eventually begins to drive him mad but he must persevere so that he may destroy the evil ring for the sake of his people.

The Balrog

Creature of Nightmare- monster usually summoned from the deepest, darkest part of the human psyche to threaten the desecration of the human body. ex:When exiting the Mines of Moria, Frodo and the group, are threatened and are in an immense amount of danger when the Balrog appears and chases them to the end of the mines. Balrog confronts Gandalf on the bridge in which Gandalf must protect Frodo and the others

Sauron

Devil Figure- Evil incarnate; this character offers worldly goods, fame, or knowledge to the protagonist in exchange for possession of the soul. ex: He tempts people with power even after his death with this ring, and it causes much distrust between Frodo and the others in the Fellowship because of this temptation.

Gollum (Smeagol)

Evil figure w/good heart-redeemable devil figure saved by the nobility or love of the hero ex: His one weakness is the ring. He killed another Hobbit in order to get it, which transformed him from his once good self, Smeagol, into Gollum. Gollum, the dark side of Smeagol, wants only the ring. He wants it so much,he is willing to kill for it; in addition to calling it "my precious". He was once a good hobbit, and his past life represents his once good side, the part of him that loves and wants to help Frodo.

Samwise Gamgee

Faithful Companion- loyal and willing to face any number of perils in order to stay together. Servant-like, but many are heroic themselves. Protect the hero and reflect the nobility of the hero. ex: Samwise carrying Frodo into Sauron's lair to destroy the ring

Bilbo Baggins

Mentor- older than the hero and usually gives him useful gifts. ex: he guides Frodo and gives him a gift that saves his life. As well he gives Frodo a place to live. This is what makes Bilbo a classic mentor.

Gandalf the Grey

Mentor- serves a counselor or teacher to the hero. Sometimes they work as role models and often serve as a father or mother figure. Often give the hero gifts (weapons, food, magic, information), older, wiser, can serve as the hero's conscience. ex: When coming to a stop on their path through the Mines of Moria, Gandalf is not sure which of the three paths they must take.

Elrond Halfelven

Mentor-counselor or teacher to the hero ex: During the secret meeting, he reminds everyone of the evil of the ring and that the journey to destroy it will be challenging.

Boromir

Scapegoat- human whose death in a public ceremony must occur in order to atone for the people's wrongdoing and to restore the nation to health. ex: When Boromir is with Frodo alone at Parth Galen, the Ring makes Boromir forcefully convince Frodo to give him the ring for his own selfish needs but Frodo refused to give the ring and as a result fled from him and the Fellowship of the Ring. The Orcs later killed Boromir after he repented to Frodo.

Saruman the White

Shadow/Villan- worthy opponent with whom the hero must struggle in a fight to the end. He must be destroyed, neutralized, or assimilated. Represents the forces of evil, chaos, and darkness; almost as strong as the hero; may take a monstrous form ex: Gandalf tries to seek advice from Sarumon, however Saruman tries to convince Gandalf in joining him in the Dark side. He tells Gandalf the Frodo must be killed, and the two end up in a battle.

Orcs

Villan/Shadow- worthy opponent with whom the hero must struggle in a fight to the end. He must be destroyed, neutralized, or assimilated. Represents the forces of evil, chaos, and darkness; almost as strong as the hero; may take a monstrous form ex: They often give Frodo and Sam challenged events along their journey by following them and injuring them. Frodo and Sam can not killed them because of unbalanced forces. They are the villains that serve Saruman and Sauron.Heros have to pass them to reach Dark Lord, Sauron.

Aragorn

Warrior- defend the hero from any peril. ex: He is Frodo's friend and personal body guard when encountering Orcs, Goblins and other dark creatures like in the mines of Moria.

Gimli

Warrior- defend the hero from any peril. ex: This is the scene where Gimli swears to protect Frodo by swearing to Frodo his axe

Legolas

Warrior- defend the hero from any peril. ex:Legolas helped defend Frodo in the Fellowship, in the Mines of Moria