An Exploration of Archetypes in Literature (p1)

In Carl Jung's definition of archetypes, he links their origin to the "collective unconscious". Disregarding any semi-spiritual connotations, this refers to shared experiences and subsequent ideas in human cultures.
One can see how similar ideas would arise in different cultures regardless of physical distances, as the human mind often follows patterns of "methodology"

The similarities in the journeys of heroes and methodologies of myths seem to paint a picture of a kind of accidental story theory.
This idea is further supported by Gustav Freytag, a German playwright who famously created a dramatic pyramid exemplifying the course of a proper story, moving from beginning, to middle, and finally to the end. His pyramid was not a wholly original idea, but rather one discovered simply by examining common traits in storytelling.

The idea of archetypes may be (unintentionally) connected to Plato's concept of ideals or "forms". We sometimes recognise a "good" character or story when we can easily identify them as part of a familiar and well-constructed cliche, just as we might recognise a good institution by coming to the conclusion that it has all the positive traits that this institution should have, or a good job on the basis that it provides the worker with good money, and fulfilling work.

In this case, archetypes may represent our most basis fantasies of what life "should" be. This isn't in itself a good thing, as unrealistic expectations can lead quite easily to disappointment and subsequent depression. Perhaps we should, rather than promote, challenge and examine these common archetypes.

Focusing on the ideal forms of everyday things is one of the best ways to begin reforming the world, but it remains the cautionary tale of failed insurrections and uprisings that failure to define goals leads to imperfect institutions.