This is a summary of the Hero archetypes from
45 Master Classes: Mythic Models for Creating Original Characters (see footnote on the index page,
Master Characters). You can also find the Heroine archetypes on
Master Character Heroines, and several additional types on
Master Support Characters.
Also listed are the villainous versions of the Hero archetypes; the book goes into detail on how each heroic archetype can become a villainous archetype.
Compare
Romance Genre Heroes.
Quick Overview
The eight Hero archetypes are as follows:
- Apollo: The Businessman
- A logical, focused team player who is good at planning but poor at dealing with chaotic forces (including emotions and relationships).
- Ares: The Protector
- A physically oriented warrior who revels in competition and risk, defends his kin, fears nothing man can do to him - except losing the ability to fully use his body (paralysis would be death to him).
- Hades: The Recluse
- A sensitive introvert with a rich inner life, a dreamer and philosopher who shies from people; he might yearn for love or companionship but is at a loss as to how to get it.
- Hermes: The Fool
- A playful, carefree soul who enjoys his freedom and doesn't worry about consequences; he won't deliberately hurt others, but neither will he let himself be tied down to a relationship (and prison would be death to him).
- Dionysus: The Woman's Man
- A fun-loving, sensual man who can't relate to masculine pastimes but revels in the company of women, who helps the women around him to find courage and realize their own worth - although the Dionysus himself often feels flawed and may never find the perfect woman he seeks.
- Osiris: The Male Messiah
- A spiritual leader focused on his mission, willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good, bringing wisdom and transformation into the lives of those he passes.
- Poseidon: The Artist
- An emotionally volatile man who takes any criticism poorly (rejection is death to him); his behavior and reactions are not easily predicted, and even he may fear that he will harm those he loves.
- Zeus: The King
- A powerful leader, even a bit of a control-freak, who demands obedience and rises to any challenge, but sees emotions as weaknesses.
Their villainous versions are as follows:
- Apollo: The Traitor
- Ares: The Gladiator
- Hades: The Warlock
- Hermes: The Derelict
- Dionysus: The Seducer
- Osiris: The Punisher
- Poseidon: The Abuser
- Zeus: The Dictator
Character Examples
- Apollo the Businessman: Spock is a classic version. Hotchner from Criminal Minds might be a more "human" example.
- Ares the Protector: Harry Dresden of The Dresden Files is a magical example
- Hades the Recluse: Can't think of a better example than Severus Snape.
- Hermes the Fool: Barney from How I Met Your Mother is a good example, although imprisonment would probably be a minor inconvenience rather than death.
- Dionysus the Woman's Man: Casanova was said to be this way - not using women for his own needs at the expense of theirs, but rather caring for them as individuals and helping them to achieve a greater sense of self-worth. Unfortunately, Casanova got stuck with such a Don Juan reputation that we even use his name for the Casa Nova trope.
- Osiris the Male Messiah: Jesus, obviously, and possibly Gandhi
- Poseidon the Artist:
- Zeus the King:
- Apollo the Traitor:
- Ares the Gladiator: Ozai from Avatar The Last Airbender is a good example, which is why having his firebending taken away was such a delicious punishment.
- Hades the Warlock:
- Hermes the Derelict:
- Dionysus the Seducer:
- Osiris the Punisher:
- Poseidon the Abuser:
- Zeus the Dictator: Megatron
Comparing the Gender Roles
You can find this section on the
Master Character Heroines page.
Greater Detail
I'll put in this section later.
Here list examples of stories or series that play one type off another, so we can see how they interact:
