Hero Archetype: The Chief

My opinion on “The Chief” archetype is somewhat biased, and maybe could even benefit from a disclaimer….

My belief is that the best Chief prototypes (drum roll)… don’t wear undergarments. Yep, you heard me correctly. As in, naked underneath!

Think, Last of the Mohicans and Daniel Day-Lewis as Hawkeye. What better quintessential alpha hero could there be? This hero was born to lead. He fights for honor and protects the weak. He doesn’t follow rules; he made the rules. He’s the man that takes care of everyone and everything. Dependable and decisive, don’t you dare smart-mouth this fiery lord. Because he can be overbearing and unbendable at times.

Bound by the law to join the militia to aid the British, Hawkeye is forced to leave his family defenseless against the Huron Indians who are allied with the French. Tough, used to being in charge and merciless with his loyalty, I wouldn’t have wanted to be one of the guards arresting him for sedition!

Two other chief examples come from the same motion picture and are why we love the film Troy. Two non-undergarment-wearing, bad-ass chiefs in one climatic feature. Wow. I need a drink. As both these honorable souls fight for their beliefs, we clench our teeth and watch Eric Bana, as Sparta’s Prince Hector, and Brad Pitt, as Achilles, show us examples of what real chiefs should be.

Russell Crowe in Gladiator. Case in point, this hero is lovable. Fighting to avenge his murdered family, fighting for the deceased Emperor, fighting for Rome, and for his freedom, this chief personality rises through the ranks of the arena to become the historical gladiator we all know him to be. A true chief in every sense of the word.

Lastly, let’s not leave out Kevin Costner as John Dunbar in Dances With Wolves. Because he wasn’t wearing much under that Indian skirt-thingy! Devotion defines this hero. With his heart on his shoulder, this chief would rather starve than allow his wild wolf, Two Socks, to go hungry. Relentless courage enabled him to fight off the enemy Native Americans who threatened his own beloved Indian tribe. Talk about conquering the West...

All in all, I think it’s safe to say: ya gotta love the chiefs. Undergarments or not. :)

Posted By: Sloan Seymour