This document discusses character archetypes that commonly appear in superhero action adventure films based on the work of Vladimir Propp and Carl Jung/Joseph Campbell. Propp identified character types like the villain, hero, donor, and helper. Jung and Campbell explored heroic archetypes like the warrior hero and scapegoat hero. The document also examines villain archetypes and other common archetypes like the mentor, devil figure, platonic ideal, damsel in distress, and temptress. It prompts analyzing how these archetypes apply to specific superhero films like The Dark Knight and Batman from 1989.

1. Heroes and
Villains
Character types in Super Hero
Action Adventure Films

2. Vladimir Propp
 The Villian
 The Hero
 The Donor (who provides the hero with essential
objects)
 The Helper (someone who will aid the hero)
 The Princess (prize for the hero, or kidnapped by
the villian)
 ‘Father’ of the Princess (rewards the hero)
 Dispatcher (set the hero a task)
 False hero (deceptive character)

3. Activity
 Test Vladimir Propp’s theory on Super
heroe Action Adventure films you know
(Start with the Dark Knight and Batman
1989)
 Try to come up with examples of the
character types. Write them down in your
books.
 Remember that some of the types may
over lap.

4. AnswersVillian Hero Donor Helper Princes
s
Father Dispatcher False
Hero

5. Jung and Campbell
Carl Jung and Joseph
Campbell developed the
idea of the archetype
 Archetype: A recurring
pattern of images,
situations, or symbols
found in the mythology,
religion, art, and dreams
of cultures around the
world
Joseph Campbell
Carl Jung

6. Heroic Archetypes
 Hero as warrior (Odysseus): A near god-like hero faces
physical challenges and external enemies
 Hero as Scapegoat (Jesus): Hero suffers for the sake of
others
 Transcendent Hero: (Hamlet) The hero of tragedy whose
fatal flaw brings about his downfall, but not without
achieving some kind of transforming realization or
wisdom
 Proto-Feminist Hero: Female heroes
 Defiant Anti-hero: Opposer of society’s definition of
heroism/goodness.)
 The Other—the Denied Hero: The protagonist whose
status or essential otherness makes heroism possible
(Invisible Man)
 The Superheroic: Exaggerates the normal proportions of
humanity; frequently has divine or supernatural origins.
In some sense, the superhero is one apart, someone
who does not quite belong, but who is nonetheless
needed.

7. What qualities/ character traits do
all super heroes have?

8. Villain Archetypes
 Which ones apply and why (evidence from the films)

9. What qualities/ character traits do
all super villains have?

10. Other Archetypes
The Mentor The Mentor is an older, wiser teacher to the initiates. He often
serves as a father or mother figure. He gives the hero gifts
(weapons, food, magic, information), serves as a role model or
as hero’s conscience.
The Devil Figure This character is evil incarnate. Sometimes the devil figure has
the potential to be good. This person is usually saved by the
love of the hero.
The Platonic
Ideal
A woman who is a source of inspiration to the hero, who has an
intellectual rather than just a physical attraction to her

11. Damsel in Distress A vulnerable woman who needs to be rescued by
the hero. She is often used as a trap to ensnare
the unsuspecting hero.
The Temptress or Black
Goddess
Characterized by sensuous beauty, this woman is
one to whom the protagonist is physically
attracted and who ultimately brings about his
downfall. May appear as a witch or vampire
Star-Crossed Lovers Two characters engaged in a love affair fated to
end tragically for one or both due to the
disapproval of society, friends, family, or some
tragic situation.
How do these archetypes fit with our case study films?

12. Homework Task
 In what ways do the films you have studied
challenge and/or reinforce conventions of
narrative and character.
 Refer to specific scenes
 At least 500 words.
 Due in one weeks time