Dead Poets Archetypes
Do Dead Poets Use Archetypes Too?
Directors use many different techniques when filming a movie. Unlike other forms of storytelling, movie directors have completely control of what the viewer sees. An author picks words to describe what they see, but most words have multiple meanings. This can lead to confusion about many scenes in numerous books. Stage directors can pick the set, the costumes, and the actors, but what an audience member sees is still up to the work of others. Also, no two shows are ever identical, so you could see a play on a Wednesday, and then go on Thursday and things would happen differently. Films, however, are completely under the director’s control. Once something is filmed and added, it stays that way forever. That is what gives them such great power, but also great responsibility. One of those responsibilities is making their message and theme clear to the audience. This is achieved in Dead Poets Society by the use of the Trickster and Scapegoat Archetypes though Mr. Keating, as well as the Monomyth Archetype through Todd Anderson.
The Archetype of the Trickster is one of great importance to both the characters of a film, and the viewers. The Trickster uses elements such as shock and humor to get his message across to the people around him. In the case of film this is to the audience of the picture, and the characters in it. This character is one that can bring humor and entertainment to a film, but most importantly it expresses one the greatest messages the film contains. Without the Trickster the audience would not receive the message in the same manner the characters do. Often when the characters of the film are shocked, the audience is able to feel that emotion, and share in it. If the same message was being conveyed by the Benevolent Guide, then the message would have likely not been made clear, or relevant, to the audience. For the message to be made clear by this Archetype, the audience members would have to be going through the
Directors use many different techniques when filming a movie. Unlike other forms of storytelling, movie directors have completely control of what the viewer sees. An author picks words to describe what they see, but most words have multiple meanings. This can lead to confusion about many scenes in numerous books. Stage directors can pick the set, the costumes, and the actors, but what an audience member sees is still up to the work of others. Also, no two shows are ever identical, so you could see a play on a Wednesday, and then go on Thursday and things would happen differently. Films, however, are completely under the director’s control. Once something is filmed and added, it stays that way forever. That is what gives them such great power, but also great responsibility. One of those responsibilities is making their message and theme clear to the audience. This is achieved in Dead Poets Society by the use of the Trickster and Scapegoat Archetypes though Mr. Keating, as well as the Monomyth Archetype through Todd Anderson.
The Archetype of the Trickster is one of great importance to both the characters of a film, and the viewers. The Trickster uses elements such as shock and humor to get his message across to the people around him. In the case of film this is to the audience of the picture, and the characters in it. This character is one that can bring humor and entertainment to a film, but most importantly it expresses one the greatest messages the film contains. Without the Trickster the audience would not receive the message in the same manner the characters do. Often when the characters of the film are shocked, the audience is able to feel that emotion, and share in it. If the same message was being conveyed by the Benevolent Guide, then the message would have likely not been made clear, or relevant, to the audience. For the message to be made clear by this Archetype, the audience members would have to be going through the