Vogler 3!

Key Points:

Vogler discussed Threshold Guardians, Heralds, Shape shifters, Shadows, Allies, and Tricksters in our last reading. Threshold Guardians can usually be found at the gateway to monitor who can and cannot enter. On a psychological level, Threshold Guardians stand for our internal demons: emotional scars, vices, etc. We read that the most effective way of dealing with a Threshold Guardian is to “get in to the skin” of the opponent. “Threshold Guardians are not to be defeated but incorporated.” Heroes need to learn the Guardians tricks and the way he handles things and bring them into their own life. Throughout stories Herald’s present obstacles and inform the hero of significant changes that may be on the way. They are known to recite the consequences of the conflict in effect of providing motivation for the hero. Hero’s have the psychological function of stating the need for a change. The purpose of the Herald providing motivation and offering a challenge for the hero is to get the “story rolling.” We read that a Herald can be a force as well as a person. It can be anything from an angel, to a natural disaster, to even a treasure map. A Shape Shifter is typically the hero’s love interest or romantic partner throughout the story. They have the ability to change appearance or mood.  Shape Shifter’s also express the energy of animus or anima which are the ideas that people both sexes have female and male qualities which are “necessary for survival and internal balance.” Shape Shifters place a large dramatic role throughout stories as they are often bringing doubt and suspense into the storyline as they are often confusing the hero.  A Shadow represents the energy of the dark side:  all of the things we don’t like about ourselves and all of our hidden inner secrets. The dramatic function of a Shadow is to challenge the hero and present him or her with a commendable opponent throughout the struggle. Shadows also have the ability to become seductive shape shifters to lure the hero into danger. Vogler discusses the fact that a Shadow is a metaphor that can help the audience understand villains and antagonists in stories. They also can help reveal hidden aspects of the heroes.  An ally can serve many functions such as a companion for travel, comic relief, or a sparring partner.  The Ally can be an “audience character.” This is someone who sees the world of the story through clear eyes just as the audience or reader could do if they were present. An ally is often referred to as a “side kick but Vogler stresses that allies to do always have to be human that they can be anything from a spirit protector or even an angel. The Trickster archetype pushes the “energies of mischief and the desire for change.” Their dramatic function is to provide comic relief: make ‘em cry a lot; let ‘em laugh a little. They like to cause trouble for their own laugh and they are sometimes known to be catalyst characters that affect the lives of others but are unchanged themselves.

Reaction:

I enjoyed reading about the remainder of the archetypes. They really give me a lot more insight into the way writers come up with story lines and instill different qualities into different characters. I noticed that Vogler discussed that a lot of the archetypes can have the quality of a Trickster or Shadow. Although there are a lot of archetypes that represent the same qualities I feel as if that is just opportunity for a better more interesting storyline.

Reflection:

I particularly enjoyed reading about the archetype of the Herald. It made it fascinating to think about the fact that it can be a force that is a metaphor for motivation or change. I also found the psychological function of the Shape shifter interesting because I have never heard the terms animus or anima before and found that the repressed qualities of males and females are unconsciously represented by a lot of characters.  I also agree with Vogler on the fact that Disney’s creation of incredible villains from Cruelle D’Eville to Captain Hook will always be remembered due to the excellent job done by Disney of “humanizing the shadow.”  Their glamorous characteristics yet evil dispositions make the characters even more fascinating.

Questions…

1.)                   I read Vogler’s chapter on Threshold Guardians three times and still cannot grasp what they really represent as an archetype, what is a simple way of explaining a Threshold Guardian?

2.)                   Can these archetypes represent people in ones own life?