Final answer:
An archetype is a prototype or original model that serves as a typical example for characters, symbols, themes, and narratives that reflect universal human experiences in storytelling and across cultures. Characters like the trickster or the hero, and themes like the journey home or the forbidden fruit, are examples of archetypes. Option B is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
An archetype is an original pattern or model from which all things of the same type are derived. It's a concept used to explain characters, symbols, themes, and narratives that recur across various cultures and time periods, mirroring universal human experiences.
Carl Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist, introduced the concept into the area of psychology, describing archetypes as innate, universal prototypes for ideas that may be used to interpret observations. In storytelling, a character can be an archetype, such as the trickster or the hero, representing a set of qualities that are instantly recognizable across cultures. Archetypes are not limited to characters; they can also encompass themes and scenarios, like the journey home or the forbidden fruit.
Archetypes serve multiple purposes in literature and other forms of storytelling. They provide a framework for the narrative and offer the audience familiar reference points. This helps engender a deeper connection to the story and allows for a symbiosis between the tale and the reader's own life experiences. For example, Superman can be seen as an archetypical hero, embodying values admired in society, such as bravery and justice.
Myths and epic tales are often built upon archetypal structures and characters, allowing them to convey universal truths and fundamental human concerns. The power of myths lies in their ability to resonate deeply with individuals across different cultures by utilizing these recurring archetypal patterns. The concept of the archetype extends to symbolic objects and narratives; for instance, the apple in the Garden of Eden is an archetypal symbol of temptation and knowledge.