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Sarah Frazin
Professor Lewis
English 115
24 November 2014
Character Archetypes
Literature across time has changed in many aspects, except one: archetypes. According to
Mirriam-Webster Dictionary, archetypes are the original pattern or model of which all things of
the same type are representations or copies. Whether it be romance, adventure, or fantasy,
similar archetypes exist in every genre. Simon R. Greens Blue Moon Rising is no exception to
this. Within the novel, several characters in particular represent the archetypes found in Joseph
Campbells monomyth and Carl Jungs theory of collective unconscious. The monomyth is the
heros journey that shows the basic pattern of how stories are told. The collective unconscious is
the concept that all humans are born with certain innate knowledge, essentially archetypes. In
Simon R. Greens Blue Moon Rising, the book illustrates various archetypes through the actions
and personalities of the characters.
The monomyth originates from Joseph Campbells Hero With a Thousand Faces. The
monomyth divides the heros journey into several stages that the hero must follow in order to
succeed in his quest. The text defines archetypes and how they are used in heroic journeys. For
example, Joseph Campbell states that the hero will come across helpers and guides to assist the
hero. These helpers are an archetype of their own: the mentor. Additionally, Carl Jung theorizes,
there exists a second psychic system of a collective, universal, and impersonal nature which is
identical in all individuals. This collective unconscious does not develop individually but is
inherited. It consists of pre-existent forms, the archetypes, which can only become conscious

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secondarily and which give definite form to certain psychic contents (4). Known as the
collective unconscious, Jung creates the basic pattern that constantly make an appearance in
literature: archetypes.
The first main character introduced in the novel is a young man named Rupert, the prince
of the Forest Kingdom. As the younger of the two princes, Rupert is sent on a mission to slay a
dragon, but in reality is sent to his death to avoid conflict in the kingdom. However, this is only
the beginning of Ruperts heroic journey, which defines him as the hero archetype. According to
The Writers Journey, a hero is someone who is willing to sacrifice his own needs on behalf of
others (Vogler 35). Rupert continually exemplifies this trait throughout the novel, starting from
the beginning. For example, as Rupert begins his ascent to the top of the mountain where the
dragon awaits, Rupert forces his steed, the unicorn, to remain behind. According to the young
prince, What remained of the quest was Ruperts responsibility, and his alone. There was no
need for both of them to risk their lives (Green 31). Acknowledging the fact that he is expected
to perish for his kingdom, Rupert attempts to climb the mountain and slay the dragon alone as a
form of self-sacrifice. After returning from his first quest, the king quickly sends him on another
journey in search of the High Warlock. Despite his reluctance to leave the castle once more,
Rupert agrees to go without hesitation. I know my duty, said Rupert. Ive always known my
duty. Thats the only reason Im going on this mission (Green 88). This statement gives Rupert
heroic traits because he is showing loyalty toward his kingdom and father as well as selfsacrifice.
Additionally, Rupert continually shows the common traits found in the hero archetype as
he continues his journey to save his kingdom. Another key trait found in heroes is that of courage
and bravery. In order to complete his quest, the hero must show an act of courage or bravery.

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Rupert demonstrates this trait several times throughout the book. He manages to overcome his
fear in order to defeat a monster. As Rupert and the Champion travel in search of the High
Warlock, they stop in Coppertown. In the small village exists a large beast inside the nearby
caves. Rupert enters the caves after hearing a childs voice. Although the voice was only a ruse,
Rupert manages to defeat the demon beast despite his fear. Specifically, he chooses to fight and
help the other soldiers to safety rather than sending his men to fight to their deaths. With this
accomplishment, Rupert earns respect from his soldiers and demonstrates the qualities of a hero.
Overall, Rupert correctly portrays the hero archetype by having the necessary qualities in order
to be a hero.
Another archetype found in the novel is the mentor. Typically described as an elderly
man or woman, the mentor assists the hero is some form or another, though not always human.
Jung makes several references to the mentor archetype in his book, Archetypes and the
Collective Unconscious. Vogler states that mentors are those who teach and protect heroes and
give them gifts (47). In this case, the mentor archetype is portrayed by the dragon. Currently
hundreds of years old, the wise creature provides assistance in helping Rupert to reach his full
potential. Furthermore, the dragon gives Rupert the main weapon he uses throughout his journey.
Just as the demons are about to attack, the dragon tells Rupert about Rainbows End. I know a
spell that will take you right to it. If youre strong enough. Any man who can run down the
Rainbow will find his hearts desire; whatever that might be (Green 49). As the mentor
archetype, the dragon uses his wisdom and magic to give Rupert the chance to save him and his
friends. As the mentor, the dragon sees the potential in Rupert. Although the dragon does not
appear once more until the end of the book, Rupert is only able to stay alive the whole time with
the Rainbow Sword, which he receives with the guidance from the dragon. Along with the

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mentor comes the villain, which is the character that attempts to thwart the hero rather than assist
him.
The shadow archetype is commonly found in the monomyth. The shadow drives the story
forward as the main antagonist. Without the shadow, there would be no conflict for the story to
develop. In Blue Moon Rising, this archetype takes the form of the Demon Prince. This malicious
character desires power and intends to take over the entire world and fill it with darkness. With
the rise of the blue moon, the Demon Prince woke from his thousand-year nap and begins his
conquest of darkness. Following the shadow archetype, the Demon Prince represents the energy
of the dark side (Vogler 71). With his army of demons at his beck and call, the Demon Prince is
the final challenge that Rupert must face and defeat or his entire kingdom will be destroyed.
Additionally, the Darkwood symbolizes an extension of the Demon Prince. Although he does not
make many appearances throughout the novel, the Darkwood commonly attempts to defeat
Rupert and on several occasions almost does. Rupert manages to defeat the demons in his way,
however, his world will never be safe while the Demon Prince lives. The Demon Prince
manipulates his minions and slaves to prevent Rupert from defeating him, yet is unsuccessful.
Rupert, as the hero archetype, defeats the Demon Prince and saves his world from the darkness.
The hero archetype almost always defeats the shadow archetype unless he is a tragic hero.
While Rupert represents the hero archetype, his older brother, Prince Harald, symbolizes
the Doppelgnger. The term originates in German in the mid-19th century and literally means
double-goer. This archetype is a duplicate or shadow of a character that represents the evil
side of his personality (LiteraryDevice Editors). In this case, Harald is the doppelgnger of
Rupert. Although not necessarily evil, Harold exists as the opposite of Rupert. As the older
prince, Harald will be the one to inherit the throne. Prince Harald acts as the catalyst that drives

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Rupert to become the hero. There are several instances in the novel Harald demonstrates the
qualities of being the doppelgnger. One of the main examples is when Rupert, Harald, and the
King visit the Armory to take the Infernal Devices, one of the few things that might be able to
defeat the Demon Prince. While Rupert refuses to take one of the swords, Harald does not dare
to disobey his father. The novel states, Harald approached the two remaining swords cautiously.
His eyes flickered from one blade to the other, undecided, but finally his gaze came to rest on the
right-handed sword. His mask of unconcern suddenly fell away, revealing a harshly lined face
with dark, determined eyes, and a grim smile that had nothing at all of humor in it. Flarebright,
said Harald softly (Green 372). He knows the power of the swords yet takes one anyway.
Rupert also knows of the power, but chooses the right thing by refusing to obey his father and
take the evil sword. As such, Harald and Rupert reveal themselves to be foils of each other. From
the moment they were born, the two brothers have lead different lives based on their position.
Harald, born into the position of inheriting the kingdom, receives the most attention and raised to
have whatever he wants, unlike Rupert. In the last few pages of the book, Rupert claims Julia as
his, despite Julia being Haralds fianc. This reveals how Rupert no longer accepts his position
beneath Harald and therefore separates himself from his doppelgnger.
Lastly, Princess Julia represents the heroine archetype. The heroine is very similar to the
hero but is not exactly mentioned by Joseph Campbell. The traits are almost identical to that of
the hero. Julia rejects the typical princess role in order to become the heroine. After refusing to
marry a man she has never met, she is exiled to be eaten by the dragon. However, Julia and her
attitude causes the dragon to fear her. Julia exhibits the characteristics of the heroine, by being
strong, as shown in her skills with the sword. She does not back down from fights even when
death is a probable option, like when she holds her own against the demons. Also, Julia

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demonstrates the skills of leadership as is shown by her training women for the upcoming battle.
She gains respect by a handful of characters, including Rupert and the King. However, the most
important trait that makes her heroine is her independence. Unlike heroes, who are not
questioned, the heroine starts in a role below that of the hero. As a woman, Julia is at a
disadvantage, however, rises to the occasion and helps significantly in defeating the Demon
Prince. She refuses to follow the rules, shown by her resistance to Harald. As the heroine
archetype, Julia exemplifies the traits of strength, leadership, and independence.
Archetypes exist throughout Blue Moon Rising. Specifically, Prince Rupert acts as the
hero, the Dragon as the mentor, the Demon Prince as the shadow, Prince Harald as the
doppelgnger, and Princess Julia as the heroine. Each character demonstrates the necessary
qualities in order to be defined under that archetype. The story of the book follows that of the
monomyth, which requires these archetypes. Overall, Blue Moon Rising by Simon R. Green,
portrays the common archetypes found in Jungs collective unconscious and Campbells
monomyth through the main characters of the novel.

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Works Cited
"Archetype." Def. 1. Mirriam-Webster Dictionary. Mirriam-Webster Dictionary, 2014. Web. 16
Nov. 2014.
Green, Simon R. Blue Moon Rising. New York: New American Library, 1991. Print.
Jung, Carl G. The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious. Princeton: Princeton University
Press, 1971. Print.
LiteraryDevices Editors. Archetypes LiteraryDevices.net. 2013. Web. 24 Nov. 2014.
Vogler, Christopher. The Writers Journey. 2nd ed. Studio City: Michael Wiese Productions,
1998. Print.