The King is an archetype of major proportions, representing the height of temporal male power and authority. Both benevolence and cruelty in their extreme expressions are associated with this archetype. Classic to the cruel King is the collective hope of his kingdom that he should fall from his throne. The King is associated more with the royal blood and inheritance, whereas an Emperor can arise from common society, as did Napoleon. The bloodline connects the King to the Prince archetype and to attitudes of “entitlement,” one of the shadow characteristics of archetypes associated with rulership. A resistance to criticism, questioning, and challenges in decisions about controlling his kingdom is also part of the King’s shadow.
Throughout history, the pendulum has swung from good Kings to evil, from benevolent, even saintly rulers to greedy, gluttonous criminals. King Louis IX of France combined the qualities of a just ruler, fearless warrior, and holy man. The thirteenth-century sovereign lived for the welfare of his subjects and the glory of God. Charlemagne, King David, and Akhenaton of Egypt were among earth’s most enlightened, if occasionally all too human rulers. And then there was Mad King George III of England, who led the colonies to rebel; King Louis XVI of France who was synonymous with decadence and excess; and Emperor Hirohito of Japan who led his country into a devastating war. This archetype maintains the same characteristics on an individual level, whether one’s kingdom is a corporation, community, or family. The need to rule and exert control over a kingdom is key to this archetype. The Queen is a more prevalent archetypal pattern than the King. It is not often that you will hear a man say he is a King, and it is actually an archetypal pattern that is fading within our culture. When the American Constitution was being written, Americans became so anti-royal that any mention of “King” or “Lord” was an absolute anathema. However, the King remains a managing archetype of the male, representing a man who has a very heightened sense of elegance and dignity.
Film Reference: Paul Scofield in The King Lear
Throughout history, the pendulum has swung from good Kings to evil, from benevolent, even saintly rulers to greedy, gluttonous criminals. King Louis IX of France combined the qualities of a just ruler, fearless warrior, and holy man. The thirteenth-century sovereign lived for the welfare of his subjects and the glory of God. Charlemagne, King David, and Akhenaton of Egypt were among earth’s most enlightened, if occasionally all too human rulers. And then there was Mad King George III of England, who led the colonies to rebel; King Louis XVI of France who was synonymous with decadence and excess; and Emperor Hirohito of Japan who led his country into a devastating war. This archetype maintains the same characteristics on an individual level, whether one’s kingdom is a corporation, community, or family. The need to rule and exert control over a kingdom is key to this archetype. The Queen is a more prevalent archetypal pattern than the King. It is not often that you will hear a man say he is a King, and it is actually an archetypal pattern that is fading within our culture. When the American Constitution was being written, Americans became so anti-royal that any mention of “King” or “Lord” was an absolute anathema. However, the King remains a managing archetype of the male, representing a man who has a very heightened sense of elegance and dignity.
Film Reference: Paul Scofield in The King Lear