Archetype

An archetype is an original model of a person, ideal example, or a prototype upon which others are copied, patterned, or emulated; a symbol universally recognized by all. In psychology, an archetype is a model of a person, personality, or behavior. In philosophy, archetypes since Plato at least, refer to ideal forms of the perceived or sensible things or types. In the analysis of personality, the term archetype is often broadly used to refer to: a stereotype-personality type observed multiple times, especially an oversimplification of such a type; or an epitome-personality type exemplified, especially the "greatest" such example. A literary term to express details. Archetype refers to a generic version of a personality. In this sense "mother figure" may be considered an archetype and may be identified in various characters with otherwise distinct (non-generic) personalities. Archetypes are likewise supposed to have been present in folklore and literature for thousands of years, including prehistoric artwork.