An archetype is a basic character stereotype, one that appears again and again in all kinds of literature in all kinds of cultures. Examples can be found in books like The Hobbit. Tolkien uses...
the boar's-head design on Beowulf's helmet
Macbeth is a fallen hero Macduff is the heroThe witches are the villans
The boar's-head design on Beowulf's helmet
Archetype of mother, father, child, hero, trickster, Self (God).