Archetypes in Movies

[Plenum]

Ever since stories and art have existed they have been riddled with consistent archetypes to allow humanity to explore its collective mind. Intentionally or unintentionally, it's unavoidable that the archetypes will shine through any sort of story or art.

The unconscious which is drawn upon for creativity derives from the archetypal framework of the mind.

Some prominent psychologists have studied and written about this in fact.

wow. this is beautifully expressed Austin.

I just did a rewatch of Aliens, and it is one of the most archetypal movies ever made, in my opinion.

I mean, its probably the 8th or so time I've watched it since childhood, and it still packs a punch.

I can just offer some stream of consciousness observations as seen through my lens this time around.

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* the film begins with Ripley still having dreams/nightmares of the 'Alien' experience. The 'alien' is the presence or voice of separation (fear impulse).

* the crew travels to the planet, and the ship stays in orbit. A drop ship goes 'down' to the planet. The film ends with the 'ascending' of the drop-ship from the planet. (incarnation)

* the crew and the various actors die off one by one until only a few are left. These 'actors' represent various catalysts and distortions of mind. Notice how sharply drawn and larger than life some of the combat crew are, and how they represent various facets of self. As these facets are depicted and enjoyed on screen, they no longer become necessary as they are experienced and assimilated into the self.

* when Ripley goes down the cooling tower, she is descending into the depths of the mind. There, the 'Alien Queen' has laid all her eggs; these eggs being the thoughtforms of fear created by the mind. Ripley 'torches' the eggs with the flame of liberating love. The Queen, though, is not so easily destroyed.

* after the 'ascent' back to the spaceship in orbit, the 'final encounter' takes place. This is between Ripley (the conscious mind), and the Alien Queen (the voice of separation and fear within the self). For this 'encounter', Ripley utilises a mech-suit, that is used for moving cargo around. This 'suit' is the armoring of love and light for the final showdown with the 'voice of separation'.

* The Queen is finally 'ejected' from the spaceship, to return to the void of infinite potentials. It is seen by the self as no longer being needed. It was not destroyed; just regarded as no longer helpful or required for the experience.

*Bishop, the android, is some form of faithful, diligent, guide.

* Newt, the child, is the nurturing of the inner love within the self.

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It just captures the spiritual journey so completely, I had to pause the film multiple multiple times to absorb and digest the imagery as it was speaking directly to my unconscious.

it does not have the archetypes proper, as in the 22 explicitly, but rather it speaks to the deep mind.

I remember in high school english class how wankery it seemed to 'force' these types of patterns for the sake of writing essays just because we had to. But there are some films and works of art in which this effect of narrative is so natural and emotion-inducing, that it is totally spontaneous and unforced.

and legions of people will attest to its effect, if not totally comprehending what is being spoken or reflected through the Veil.

deep down, we just know these works of art are 'true'. More truer than a fact. Truth in the sense of timeless concept.

peace