An archetype in literature is a pattern, symbol, character type, or story element that appears repeatedly in stories from different cultures and time periods. Archetypes are universally understood and recognized, and they are deeply embedded in humanitys collective unconscious. They are part of the key to what makes a story compelling, and the best storytellers draw on universal archetypes in crafting their stories. There are far too many archetypes to list all of them, but they broadly fall into three categories:

• Character archetypes: The most common and important kind of archetypes. Most popular characters have a universal archetype such as Hero, Anti-Hero, or Trickster. There are literally hundreds of different character archetypes, including the Seductress, the Father and Mother Figures, the Mentor, and the Nightmare Creature.

• Situational archetypes: These are recurring situations that appear in stories from different cultures. Examples include the Quest, the Journey, the Battle between Good and Evil, and the Rite of Passage.

• Symbolic archetypes: These are recurring symbols that appear in stories from different cultures. Examples include the Garden, the Tree of Life, the Serpent, and the Flood.

Archetypes are not limited to characters, but can also be settings, images, or story patterns. They allow for a universal understanding of the story and for people of various cultures to relate to the archetypal figures by the author. Different types of archetypes include the Lover, the Rebel, the Sage, the Innocent, and the Explorer. Archetypes are an important device used in literature, and they allow for a strong emotional response from the readers due to the deep subconscious connection society has with these symbols.