Unveiling the Unconscious Mind: Exploring the Archetypes of Iconic Characters — Part II
We all wear masks in our daily lives. At home, at school, in the workplace, we put on different masks and assume different personalities. The act of superheroes wearing masks is essentially the embodiment of this. When a superhero puts on a mask, they become someone different, exhibiting powers and behaviors they don’t normally display. As I promised in Part I of Exploring the Archetypes of Iconic Characters, today I will delve into Jungian psychoanalysis and explore its impact on Iconic Characters in cinema and litereture.
Entering Jungian Psychology
Before delving into the details of Jungian psychology, it’s important to note that Jung was initially a student and colleague of Freud before their paths diverged. Jung observed that Freud exerted pressure on close friends and relatives to accept his theories, which ultimately led Jung to oppose Freud’s tendency to attribute everything to sexuality.
In the fantasttic labyrinthine corridors of the human psyche, where shadows dance and archetypes reign, lies the realm of Jungian psychology. Drawing from the depths of mythology, folklore, and dreams, Jungian psychology unveils the intricate interplay between the conscious and the unconscious, guiding us through the alchemical process of individuation.
Developed by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, Jungian psychology delves into the depths of the human psyche, exploring the unconscious and its manifestations in dreams, symbols, and myths. One of Jung’s most significant contributions is the theory of archetypes, which he believed to be universal, innate symbols and patterns that reside in the collective unconscious of humanity. These archetypes, such as the Hero, the Shadow, the Wise Old Man, and the Trickster, serve as fundamental building blocks of human experience and are deeply embedded in our cultural and psychological heritage.
In the sacred space of Jungian psychology, we are invited to dance with the archetypes, to weave our own mythic tapestry, and to embark on the timeless quest for self-realization.
For in the depths of the soul, where darkness meets light, lies the essence of our humanity, waiting to be discovered and embraced.
Yet, Jungian psychology is not merely a journey into the depths; it is also a quest for integration and transcendence. By embracing the shadowy aspects of our being and engaging with the numinous mysteries of the unconscious, we embark on a transformative odyssey, forging a deeper connection with ourselves and the world around us.
Theory of Archetypes
Jungian psychology, particularly his concept of archetypes, has had a profound influence on contemporary art and cinema, especially in shaping the portrayal of heroes and narratives within these mediums.
The concept of archetypes offers a fascinating lens through which to understand the universal themes and symbols that permeate our collective unconscious. Jung proposed that these archetypes represent innate, instinctual patterns of thought and behavior that are shared across cultures and generations. From the heroic figure of the “Hero” to the mysterious allure of the “Shadow,” Jungian archetypes offer profound insights into the depths of human experience and the narratives that shape our lives. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of the psyche and discover the enduring significance of Jung’s groundbreaking theory of archetypes.
Archetypal symbols build a bridge to the collective unconscious; these archetypes are to be found in religion and mythology, in fairy tales, dreams, and fantasies
The Hero
The Hero archetype resonates deeply with audiences because it taps into universal themes of courage, resilience, and the quest for meaning. Whether it’s the reluctant hero called to adventure in “The Lord of the Rings” the troubled anti-hero seeking redemption in “Batman” or the ordinary individual thrust into extraordinary circumstances in “The Matrix” the Hero archetype embodies our collective aspirations and struggles. You can add a lot of Series to list, such as Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Dune series.
Through their trials and triumphs, heroes mirror our own journeys of self-discovery and transformation, inspiring us to confront our fears, embrace our potential, and strive for greatness.
Moreover, Jungian archetypes extend beyond individual characters to shape broader narrative structures and themes in contemporary art and cinema. The concept of the Shadow archetype, representing the repressed or darker aspects of the psyche, often manifests in the form of antagonists or internal conflicts that protagonists must overcome. The Wise Old Man archetype may appear as mentors or guides who impart wisdom and guidance to the hero on their journey.
The Shadow
The Shadow is the Hero’s antagonist, their enemy, but also their alter ego. As mentioned by Andrea Feccomandi in his story Shadow Archetype, it is the most powerful archetype we encounter on the Hero’s Journey. In Disney fairy tales and cartoons, it is represented as the villain in the form of a dragon or monster.
The Shadow is the negative tendency of the archetype
The purpose of the Shadow is always opposite to that of the Hero. For this reason, the protagonist of the Journey has no choice but to face it.
The concept of the Shadow archetype, representing the repressed or darker aspects of the psyche, often manifests in the form of antagonists or internal conflicts that protagonists must overcome.
The scenes in Christopher Nolan’s Batman Movies, The Dark Knight and Batman Begins were a confession of this, that ideas were influenced by Jung. Realizing how it is the story of Bruce confronting and integrating his shadow. Some major quotes from the movie are: “We fear what we do not know”, and “We do not know ourselves”.
In the movie Batman Begins, message is delivered in different scenes thus pushing the viewer to understand that to confront fear is to confront one’s self. There are a few examples in the movie, and this is one of them. Dr. Murphy goes from psychiatrist to psychopath, but in a jungian way.
- “would you like to see my mask?”
- “So when did the nut take over the nuthouse”
Most of time the Shadow has the appearance of a demon. We see this in another scene again, but this time Batman turns the tables on his enemy by using his own weapon against him, all while donning his mask amidst the disorienting haze of confusion gas. As the mist swirls around him, he becomes a menacing specter, instilling fear in his foe, who now sees him as jhis worst nightmare come to life.
Jungian Mask in Other Series
We can see this in a lot of movies. In Star Wars series, Darth Vader is the dark side of Anakin Skywalker,and in Hary Potter series, the bad sorcerer Voldemort, is Harry Potter’s enemy with whom he has a bond. We do not know origins of the figures and motives in Tolkien’s universe. His knowledge of ancient myth, legends and fairy tales was enormous, but he took all that material out of their old context and used them for a new purpose. The Lord of the Rings is so full of archetypal figures that it would be relevant to speculate if Tolkien had been acquainted with the theories of Jung? Maybe or maybe not but we can still do a Jungian Interpretation of the whole series. We can do Jungien Journeys of Middle-Earth. Through literary interpretation of a Jungian model of the psyche, we can see the archetypical nature of all major characters we encounter throughout the story.
Jung’s Legacy
Today Jung’s legacy is felt everywhere. As mentioned above, in contemporary art and cinema, Jungian archetypes serve as powerful tools for storytelling, character development, and thematic exploration. The Hero archetype, in particular, holds a central place in narratives across cultures and genres. Drawing from Jung’s concept of the Hero’s Journey, as outlined in Joseph Campbell’s influential work “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” filmmakers and artists often depict protagonists who embark on transformative journeys, facing trials, confronting their inner demons, and ultimately achieving self-realization and growth.
By tapping into the universal symbols and patterns of the collective unconscious, filmmakers and artists can create compelling narratives that resonate with audiences on a profound level, illuminating the timeless truths of the human condition and the eternal quest for self-discovery and heroism.
Words of Wisdom
Jung’s research into archetypes and symbols continues to inspire practitioners, researchers, creatives, and spiritual people, as well as those with an interest in cross-cultural psychology. Jungian psychoanalysis and its archetypes offer a rich and fertile framework for exploring the depths of the human experience in contemporary art and cinema.
We will continue to this in part III, so please subscbibe my email to not pass a single story.
