The Ruler Archetype: How to Write Powerful Leader Characters

In learning how to write powerful leader characters, we must take lessons from history. History is filled with towering personalities whose names resonate with us through the sheer dominance of their characters. They represent the ruler archetype: a classification by Carl Jung, the father of modern psychology, as referring to a brand personality that is evocative of control and power and authority.

How to Recognize the Ruler Archetype

The most significant feature of the Ruler brand archetype is the embodiment of success and achievement. Generally speaking, the ruler archetype is characterized by the need to maintain stability and order in his external environment. The ruler archetype takes responsibility for his actions and for those over whom he has power. He has long-term goals and strategies, and a vision for the future.

The weaknesses of the ruler archetype is that he is not open to change or accepts change easily in his life.  Such leaders are not usually responsive to others and do not take criticism well. The ruler archetype may eventually develop a compulsive need to hold on to power leading to his downfall. Characters in history who are examples of ruler archetypes include King Arthur, Elizabeth 1 and Julius Caesar.

Examples of the Ruler Archetype from Literature

In order to write powerful leader characters, we must give the character all the attributes of the ruler archetype. We may be guided by examples of the ruler archetype which abound in literature. A prime example is King Arthur, a historical figure who has been immortalized in literature as a fair and just leader. Other examples of the ruler archetype include the magician, Dumbledore, who is the headmaster of Hogwarts the famous boarding school in the Harry Potter series. Scar, the lion king is a negative example of the ruler archetype, being cruel and overly ambitious. Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada, a 2003 novel by Lauren Weisberger is a modern-day example of the ruler brand archetype. Finally, King Lear the tragic hero of the eponymous work by William Shakespeare exemplifies the dark side of the ruler archetype and the traits which could precipitate his self-destruction.

King Arthur: A Legendary Figure

King Arthur the ruler of Camelot, is a legendary figure who embodies the ruler archetype. He ruled justly and wisely with an iron hand in a velvet glove. His legend lives on in Britain as a heroic figure and a chivalrous king and his legend is his legacy to the multitudes who see him as the ideal ruler.

Many books have been written about King Arthur to try and capture the essence of him as man and ruler. Among the best known books about King Arthur is King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table by Roger Lancelyn Green, which is a personal favourite.

Dumbledore: The Unforgettable Magician

Dumbledore is a powerful person not only because of his positon of headmaster but also because he possesses exceptional magical powers. He represents the ruler archetype as he controls his environment in a discreet manner to avoid intimidating teachers and pupils, but is not afraid to stand up to Voldermort and the forces of evil.

He is deified in the Harry Potter series as he is seen through the eyes of his students, the young wizards who try to emulate him. Dumbledore is, however, not without his demons as he is haunted by mistakes of the past.

Scar: The Anti-Hero

Scar in The Lion King is a negative example of the ruler archetype. He is an antihero who fails because his ego will not allow him to rule the Pride Lands in a fair and just manner. His villainy brings ruin to his people. He is the antithesis of his brother Mufasa, who is a perfect example of the ruler archetype, being a benevolent and fair ruler. The ruler archetype involves the manifestation of leadership qualities which Scar does not possess. It is his brother Mufasa wo possesses these traits in abundance and brings harmony and justice to the Pride Lands.

It should be noted that negative examples of the ruler archetype are created when the leaders hold on to power selfishly instead of exercising it for the common good. They become egoistical, paranoid and uncaring of the people dependent on them. Scar as The Lion King has been likened to Hitler on account of his negative attributes.

Miranda Priestly: The Corporate Ruler

Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada may be seen as a modern example of the ruler archetype. She has clout in the world of fashion and is demanding of her subordinates She does not have a kingdom to command but as editor-in-chief of a fashion magazine the world of haute couture is at her command and it is, in fact, her kingdom. She is in total control of her realm. Her underlings are at her beck and call and jump to do her bidding. By bringing order to chaos and exerting authority, she can be seen as a corporate manifestation of the ruler archetype.

King Lear: A Tragic Hero

King Lear one of Shakespeare’s most famous and tragic characters is a classic representation of the ruler archetype in literature. He embodies the positive qualities as well as the fatal flaws of the Ruler. As a king, he is authoritative but not authoritarian, and rules wisely over his realm. But he makes poor decisions largely due to the autocratic nature of the ruler archetype which excludes democratic decision-making. His mistakes in judgement lead to the loss of control over his kingdom and the gradual erosion of his sanity, showing the darker side of the ruler archetype as the ruler loses touch with reality.

The leader characters described in this blog are, other than King Arthur, fictional characters but they are of relevance in helping us to spot the ruler archetypes in real life. The credibility of their characterization teaches us not only to identify the ruler archetype but also in the writing of powerful leader characters based on our knowledge of their unique personality traits.