Final answer:
The hero is one of the most common mythological archetypes, exemplified by figures such as Perseus and Hercules in Greek mythology and present in modern stories like Harry Potter and Star Wars. These archetypes resonate with the collective unconscious and represent universal human experiences and themes.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the most common mythological archetypes is the hero. In myths and stories, the hero often embarks on a perilous journey, displaying courage and prowess, which reflects a universal theme of overcoming obstacles and striving for mastery. For instance, in Greek mythology, characters like Perseus and Hercules exemplify the hero archetype with their demigod status and their legendary quests. These characters resonate with the collective unconscious, a concept introduced by Carl Jung that refers to inherited universal themes prevalent across cultures, represented in literature and art. In contemporary society, epic stories such as Harry Potter and Star Wars continue to portray heroes that fit into Jung's concept of archetypes, depicting the universal battle between good and evil and the journey toward self-realization.