Sinbad & the Adventure/Quest Archetype
As we watch Sinbad, please find examples of the Adventure & Quest Archetype. For a writing idea, use the quest or adventure archetype to create a story.
The Quest
The quest is traditionally a journey about the self.
1. The story starts at Protagonist’s home
2. Protagonist is pushed or spurred into action
3. The decision to ACT leads to the first major event
This first event is called a Motivating Incident
The main character has both:
Intent= to find the goal
motivation=reason for wanting to achieve it
4. The protagonist rarely travels alone; helpful characters aid the protagonist
5. Usually the quest includes a series of incidents (actions) that help to develop the protagonist
The author must ask: what difficulties would make the most interesting and challenging obstacles for the protagonist.
6 The final act of the story includes a revelation, epiphany, discovery or realization about the main character’s life or personal situation.
7. Often, additional complications arise as a result of the protagonist obtaining his goal.
8. The protagonist usually returns home, making a complete circle. He returns changed, developed.
How to do it:
1. The quest should be about a search for a person, place or thing (noun).
2. Your plot should move around a lot, visiting many people and places. Movement should result from a cause to an effect pattern.
3. Character should return to the location where he started having changed in some way. (We call a changed character DYNAMIC)
4. First act includes motivating or inciting incident; clearly understand the intent and motivation of your main character.
5. Include a companion and a helpful character
6. The protagonist should come to a realization about himself through his quest
The Adventure
1. The focus of this plot is on the action (journey), not the person making the journey.
2. Story concerns traveling into an unknown or new place.
3. The hero's goal is never found in the self or at home, but in the new places visited.
4. Hero must be motivated by someone or something; intent is not as important as motivation.
5. Hero doesn't necessarily need to change in any meaningful way by the end of the story.
6. Adventures often include romance (see the Romance plot below).
Romance
• The protagonist falls in love with another character (the object of affection)
• There should always be an obstacle that prevents the object of affection from getting together romantically with the beloved
• The first attempt at romance is always thwarted or delayed and put off
• Characters are often caught up in their personal emotions and problems
• Lovers are tested by a series of problems or conflicts (often from the outside)
• If the love is "forbidden", then the characters also have to come to terms with the society or culture that is preventing them from being together
• Lovers will usually get together at the end of the plot (in forbidden love plots, however, usually they don't)
The Quest
The quest is traditionally a journey about the self.
1. The story starts at Protagonist’s home
2. Protagonist is pushed or spurred into action
3. The decision to ACT leads to the first major event
This first event is called a Motivating Incident
The main character has both:
Intent= to find the goal
motivation=reason for wanting to achieve it
4. The protagonist rarely travels alone; helpful characters aid the protagonist
5. Usually the quest includes a series of incidents (actions) that help to develop the protagonist
The author must ask: what difficulties would make the most interesting and challenging obstacles for the protagonist.
6 The final act of the story includes a revelation, epiphany, discovery or realization about the main character’s life or personal situation.
7. Often, additional complications arise as a result of the protagonist obtaining his goal.
8. The protagonist usually returns home, making a complete circle. He returns changed, developed.
How to do it:
1. The quest should be about a search for a person, place or thing (noun).
2. Your plot should move around a lot, visiting many people and places. Movement should result from a cause to an effect pattern.
3. Character should return to the location where he started having changed in some way. (We call a changed character DYNAMIC)
4. First act includes motivating or inciting incident; clearly understand the intent and motivation of your main character.
5. Include a companion and a helpful character
6. The protagonist should come to a realization about himself through his quest
The Adventure
1. The focus of this plot is on the action (journey), not the person making the journey.
2. Story concerns traveling into an unknown or new place.
3. The hero's goal is never found in the self or at home, but in the new places visited.
4. Hero must be motivated by someone or something; intent is not as important as motivation.
5. Hero doesn't necessarily need to change in any meaningful way by the end of the story.
6. Adventures often include romance (see the Romance plot below).
Romance
• The protagonist falls in love with another character (the object of affection)
• There should always be an obstacle that prevents the object of affection from getting together romantically with the beloved
• The first attempt at romance is always thwarted or delayed and put off
• Characters are often caught up in their personal emotions and problems
• Lovers are tested by a series of problems or conflicts (often from the outside)
• If the love is "forbidden", then the characters also have to come to terms with the society or culture that is preventing them from being together
• Lovers will usually get together at the end of the plot (in forbidden love plots, however, usually they don't)
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