If you read my last blog, on using Elements to build character, the movie Air Benders probably made a lot of sense to you. I was surprised to find out that was the plot line. That being said, let's talk about the archetypes.
At The Globe, they teach the four basic archetypes: the Sovereign, the Warrior, the Lover and the Trickster--also called the Magician. There are several others, that I will write about in a different blog. I am still researching the history behind those. In any case, these archetypes can be used to form a foundation for characterization just as the elements can.
In a group I begin in the same fashion. I write the name of the archetype on a piece of newsprint and then I divide the class into four groups. Each group must identify the characteristics they would most associate with that type of person. Then round robin, the groups change position until they have all had a shot at each of the papers. When this is complete, I add a movement.
The Sovereign, in some studies called The Monarch, holds their hands above their head as if they were placing a crown there or, perhaps, as if they were holding the crown in place. Students then walk around the room with their hands as if they were the sovereign. After they have moved in character for a few minutes, I give them a mantra. For this archetype, I generally use "Heavy is the head that wears the crown." I then have them walk reciting the mantra.
For the warrior, the movement is to hold one arm straight in the air as if it was a sword. The general mantra is "I will fight for right, even if I must die for it."
The lover moves freely and reaches out to everyone that passes by. They repeat, "God is in his heaven and all is right with the world." The trickster is a little more complicated. The trickster holds his arm in front of his face as if he were hiding behind a cloak. He whirls and moves in a dervish fashion, avoiding eye contact unless he chooses it. The words I use with this character are, "They can't see me if I don't let them."
Now here is where it becomes interesting. Pretty much every character contains their foundation in one of these archetypes. Think about it! When using this technique in a rehearsal scenario, I generally ask the actors which archetype their character is most like. then I ask them to pick a line from the script that they identify with and that most exemplifies the character.
For example: when I played Amanda in The Glass Menagerie, I used the Sovereign to create her. I walked as if she were the Queen. I chose the line "Deception, deception, deception." By understanding that Amanda was the monarch in her own world, it became very easy to develop the attitudes and personality of her character. In this particular instance, I used Laura as The Lover and Tom as The Warrior. Laura tried to please both her mother and Tom, gave her heart to the one boy who was nice to her in school, was the only one who mourned the loss of her father. Tom, on the other hand, was constantly in battle. He fought for freedom from the domination of his Mother. He was also in battle against the job he disliked, the home he disliked and the father he envied (for having escaped). The cigarettes he smokes on the porch are his sword. He uses them as an act of defiance. The same with his drunken bouts.
You can also use the archetypes to create character by applying them to the other characters (as an actor). Amanda, while she perceives herself as the Sovereign, sees Tom as The Trickster--always hiding what he is doing and what he is thinking. She thinks he is defiant in order to bring down the monarchy.
Playing with archetypes can be very enlightening. I urge you to try it the next time you do a show.
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