CHARACTER ARCHETYPES SERIES
The Ally Archetype
Allows the Hero to move forward on the Journey without losing hope, even in moments of greatest difficulty.
The fourth article of the Character Archetypes Series talks about Ally.
Our Hero has just crossed the “First Threshold” and has definitively abandoned the “Ordinary World”. The Hero is now in the company of the Mentor, a fundamental character they met in the first stages of their Journey. The Mentor pushes the Hero to embark on this path.
However, this is not the only important character that the Hero meets. By approaching the first challenge, the character of Ally is introduced.
Who is Ally?
Just beyond the “First Threshold”, our Hero begins to face the first real difficulties and to understand who the real enemies are.
For example, Neo, in the world of the Matrix, begins to understand who the Agents actually are and what role they play in their power.
The approaches to the reality that the Hero does not know are complex and challenging. Often these can be even harder and seem impossible if there isn’t an important character who supports the Hero.
Some Heroes are lucky enough when several Allies surround them. Think about Harry Potter, aided by Hermione and Ron throughout his fight against the Dark Lord.
In the Lord of the Rings, Frodo discovers that Sam has followed him to avoid leaving him alone. Sam also promises Frodo that he will be next to him, along with Pippin and Merry Brandybuck.
Moreover, in Star Wars, Luke Skywalker is joined by Chewbacca (nicknamed Chewbe), a Wookie over two meters tall, co-pilot of the Millenium Falcon, the ship of Ian Solo.
The character of Ally is a hymn to friendship: in literature and cinema, there are many indivisible couples, such as Sherlock Holmes and Watson, Batman and Robin, and many others.
The Trials, the Allies, and the Enemies
Along with the first difficulties and the Allies, the Enemies arrive. The reader or viewer now understands who is on one side to help the Hero and who is on the other side to hinder them.
This is a representation of everyday life. When we abandon something that we know very well for something else that is entirely unknown, with the first moments of difficulty, we begin to understand who we can trust. We understand who is next to us and who opposes us.
Although frightening, these new experiences are fundamental for defining new relationships and understanding their meaning, whether positive or negative.
Think of a long-time friend of yours. This relationship will probably have strengthened in a particularly challenging moment of your life when this person has shown that they want to stand by you to support you.
The Approach to the Inmost Cave
The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.
The Hero approaches a dangerous place where the object of their research is hiding. This object is the reason why they embarked on this Journey. At the entrance of this place is the “Second Threshold”, where the Hero will face the central test.
At this point, we also encounter another character, which we will discuss in the following articles.
For now, let us leave the Hero to study their strategy, organize the fight, and find the best ways to evade all the threats that will hinder their entry.
In this, the help of the Allies is essential. Each of them can give their contribution to the Hero, willing to fight alongside them. Despite this, they are aware that the final test will have to be completed by the Hero and by them alone.
Conclusions
No one would ever want to be alone in their life.
There are moments when we are overwhelmed by difficulties and do not know how to go on.
These occasions allow us to recognize friends, our Allies, and faithful travel companions on our journey. They accompany us in our growth, supporting us during successes and failures.
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