To be considered an archetype, a character, a situation, or an image must appear in the stories of many different cultures. For instance, the same archetypal character might be found in the plays of William Shakespeare, the stories recorded by Chinese royals throughout dynasties, and folk tales that originated, or began, in Australia, Africa, and the Americas. That’s because an archetype is the result of shared human experience―the way people naturally think, act, and interact with each other.
Listen to these two fables from different cultures. See if you can identify the archetypes in the stories. The two stories include some of the same archetypes and some different ones.
“The Fox and the Crow” was first written down by Aesop, the famous Greek storyteller from the 5th century BCE. Aesop’s fables might be best known by European and American readers.
The Fox and the Crow
A crow was sitting on the branch of a tree with a piece of cheese in its beak when a fox happened by. The fox smelled the cheese and wanted very much to have it, so it decided to discover some way of getting the morsel for itself. Standing under the tree, the fox looked up and said, "Why, what a noble bird I see above me! Her beauty is without equal―her feathers exquisite! If her voice is as sweet as her looks are fair, she ought without doubt to be the Queen of the Birds." The crow was hugely flattered by this, and just to show the fox that she could sing, she gave a loud CAW! Down came the cheese, of course, and the fox snatched it up.
Question
What character archetype does the fox in this story represent?
“The Great Rat” is a more recent fable that is part of Chinese culture. This version of the story is set during the reign of a specific dynasty, or royal family, that ruled China during the late 1500s.
The Great Rat
During the reign of the Emperor Wan Li, the palace was troubled by the presence of a huge rat. The rat was nearly as big as a cat, and it fought and killed all the cats that were sent to catch it. It so happened, though, that the leaders of a neighboring country gave the emperor the gift of a lion-cat, as white as snow. The emperor had the lion-cat put into the room where the rat usually appeared and ordered a secret watch to be kept to see what would happen. Soon the rat came out of its hole and rushed at the cat, which turned and fled, scrambling around the room and finally jumping onto a table. The rat followed, and the cat jumped down; and in this way, they went around and around, up and down for some time. Those who were watching said the cat was afraid of the rat and, therefore, of no use. However, in a little while the rat began to jump less briskly onto the table. Eventually, it squatted down on the floor, out of breath. Then the lion-cat rushed over and, seizing the rat by the back of the neck, shook and shook while its victim squeaked and squeaked until its life was ended. Thus, the emperor’s guards learned that the lion-cat was not afraid, but merely very clever.
Question
What skills or abilities help the lion-cat defeat the Great Rat?
The scenarios in the two fables are quite different. However, they do share some archetypal elements. The main characters in the fables are animals, but their behavior is meant to suggest aspects of human nature. Use the questions below to explore the meanings of the stories’ archetypes.
What is similar about the main situation in the two fables?
- The main character’s life is in danger.
- A character has a problem to solve.
Only the lion-cat’s life is in danger―the fox has a different problem.
Only the lion-cat’s life is in danger―the fox has a different problem.
What is similar about the plot’s resolution in the two fables?
- One character is physically stronger than the other.
- Intelligence decides the outcome―not brute force.
In both stories, the characters who “win” use their wits to do so rather than strength or fighting skill.
In both stories, the characters who “win” use their wits to do so rather than strength or fighting skill.
Which character archetype appears in both fables?
- the trickster
- the outlaw
The fox tricks the crow into dropping its cheese, and the lion-cat tricks the rat into using all of its energy before the actual battle.
The fox tricks the crow into dropping its cheese, and the lion-cat tricks the rat into using all of its energy before the actual battle.
What truth about human experience is reflected in both stories?
- A clever plan is more effective than acting on impulse.
- Fighting fair will result in a better outcome in most cases.
The fox must rely on its intelligence rather than a physical attack, which would be foolish anyway because the fox can’t reach the crow. And the lion-cat uses its wits to defeat the rat rather than rushing at it right away.
The fox must rely on its intelligence rather than a physical attack, which would be foolish anyway because the fox can’t reach the crow. And the lion-cat uses its wits to defeat the rat rather than rushing at it right away.
How do the two stories differ in terms of their message?
- Only one fable shows the effect of letting yourself be influenced by flattery.
- Only one fable emphasizes the value of choosing restraint over reckless impulse.
The crow loses its cheese because it responds to the fox’s flattering words. The rat loses the fight with the lion-cat because its blind aggression keeps it from seeing that it’s being tricked.
The crow loses its cheese because it responds to the fox’s flattering words. The rat loses the fight with the lion-cat because its blind aggression keeps it from seeing that it’s being tricked.
Summary
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