Herald (archetype)
Definition and Origins
The term "Herald" is derived from the Old French "heraut" or "heral", which in turn originates from the Germanic "hariwald", meaning "army commander". In the context of archetypes, a Herald is a character or event that signals the arrival or initiation of a significant change or journey. The Herald archetype is a key component of the hero's journey, a narrative pattern identified by American scholar Joseph Campbell in his seminal work, "The Hero with a Thousand Faces".
Role and Function
The Herald archetype serves a critical function in storytelling, acting as a catalyst that propels the protagonist into the main action of the story. This can take the form of a character delivering important news, a prophecy foretelling future events, or an event that disrupts the status quo. The Herald often appears at the beginning of the story, but can also appear at any point where a change is needed to advance the plot.
Examples in Literature
The Herald archetype is prevalent in literature across various genres and periods. In Homer's "The Iliad", the character of Iris serves as a Herald, delivering messages from the gods to the mortal characters. In J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series, the letter from Hogwarts serves as a Herald, signaling the start of Harry's journey as a wizard.
Examples in Film
In film, the Herald archetype is often used to set the stage for the main conflict or journey. For example, in "Star Wars: A New Hope", the droid R2-D2 serves as a Herald, carrying the message from Princess Leia that sets Luke Skywalker on his path. In "The Matrix", the character of Trinity serves as a Herald, introducing Neo to the reality of the Matrix and his role in the coming conflict.
Examples in Mythology
The Herald archetype is also prevalent in mythology. In Greek mythology, the god Hermes served as a Herald, delivering messages from the gods to mortals. In Norse mythology, the god Heimdallr is said to blow the Gjallarhorn to signal the start of Ragnarok, serving as a Herald of the end times.
Psychological Interpretation
From a psychological perspective, the Herald archetype can be seen as representing our inner call to adventure or change. This can be a call to personal growth, a change in our circumstances, or a challenge to our beliefs or values. The Herald often represents a turning point in our lives, signaling a departure from the familiar and a venture into the unknown.