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Author
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Comment
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Daphne
Unregistered User
(8/26/06 9:05 pm)
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archetype versus motif
Hi,
This is my first posting here, although I certainly recognize the names of a few people who post here on occasion and have been enriched by their works, both fiction and non-fiction.
I've been mulling over units I am preparing on fairy tales, hero tales and other stories from the oral tradition. I'm embarrassed to admit, however, that I realize I cannot articulate a clear difference between archetypes and motifs. I find the definitions blur into each other without clear delineations. The use and application of these two words seems to vary considerably and to overlap. Perhaps there is Jungian and non-Jungian use of the word "archetype," with the Jungian use overlapping with motif, just with an emphasis on the motifs origin in the collective unconscious.
Can anyone help clarify for me. It would be much appreciated. I think I might try to also post this at Endicott Studios, so I apologize for the possible duplication for some of you.
Thank you so much,
Daphne
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korin
Unregistered User
(9/2/06 11:50 am)
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archetypes and motifs
In general usage, a 'motif' is a recurrent theme etc. in a specific work. Thus, not only do you have literary motifs, but in a musical composition a musical phrase that is often repeated is also called a motif (Richard Wagner, the opera composer, exemplifies the use of this). An archetype usually refers to an accepted motif that is widely recognized, and that appears in many different works (i.e. the hero, the crone).
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Rosemary Lake
Registered User
(9/9/06 1:31 am)
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generally....
Just in general reading, I've seen 'motif' usually applied to a combination (usually including a verb) such as 'dragon kidnaps princess', 'prohibition violated', 'sister rescues brothers', 'younger son mistreated by siblings', etc.
I've seen archetype most often applied to a single noun, perhaps with adjective: 'wise wizard', 'princess', 'wicked queen', etc.
My feeling is that 'invisible palace' or 'palace with invisible servants', 'forest of silver', 'glass mountain' etc are more often called motifs rather than archetypes, but I can imagine something with the resonance of 'glass mountain' being sometimes called an 'archetype'.
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