Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Archetypes of a Generation

PART I

In my childhood, there were many action/adventure teams on television for imaginative young lads like myself to insert themselves into. There were the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers, Captain Planet and the Planeteers, the Rugrats and countless others. But the one that had the biggest impact on me (and, in some way, everyone born between 1980 and 1995) was the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT). Even as a 5 year-old, I was able to easily identify each turtle with a unique personality type and see how each was an important part of the whole.


Cut to 15 years later. I was a budding pretentious intellectual obsessing over foreign film and Hunter S. Thompson, I stumbled across the works of Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell. One of the most interesting ideas first posited by Jung and later used in Campbell's theory of the monomyth is that of archetypes. Archetypes are mental images inherited from the earliest human ancestors, and supposed to be present in the collective unconscious.

Carl Jung (left), founder of Analytical Psychology and all-around influential thinker.
Joseph Campbell (right),  American mythologist known for his work in comparative mythology and religion.

In mythology and religion, each character can be seen as an archetype representing an aspect of the individual. The "hero" depicts our aspirational self, the qualities that give us potential for greatness; the "villain" embodies the negative aspects of ourselves we are ashamed of or frightened by; and so on. This concept forms the foundations of everything from screenwriting and narrative structure to dream interpretation and the language of the subconscious. So, naturally, I thought of the Turtles.


You see, for as long as I can remember I've had this... gift: Within minutes of meeting someone in my approximate age-range, I can accurately determine which Ninja Turtle was their childhood favorite. It seems to me that each of the heroes in a half-shell represent a different personality type,  each with their own skill sets and quirks that are essential to the ideal group dynamic. TMNT (specifically in the live-action films and animated series of the late '80s to mid-'90s) divided the wide range of human temperaments and dispositions into four distinct character archetypes: Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael.

(left to right) Michelangelo, Leonardo, Donatello, and Raphael

As a result, anyone who grew up watching the Turtles immediately latched onto the one that rung truest to our own subconscious perspective. Without really knowing or understanding it, our preference of testudine kung-fu warrior was actually our way of identifying which type of person we were and would be through adulthood. It didn't make us who we are, but it provided a rudimentary outline of the four subjective approaches to life and its challenges. Somewhere in our tiny developing minds, we each recognized ourselves reflected in one of them and learned to appreciate its unique strengths. More importantly we learned how our subjective approach, while totally radical in it's own awesome way dude, is only capable of true greatness when working in conjunction with the other three.


The subliminal force that draws us to one Turtle over another is part of the same basic, inborn element influencing the ways in which we choose to carry ourselves in the outside world and interact with others. It all leads back to the building blocks of our individual personality. I propose that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are the Jungian archetypes of my cultural generation; the allegorical heroes in the mythology of the Information Age.




Tomorrow in Part II: Prepare to delve even deeper into an already well over-thought subject as we examine the core characteristics of each TMNT member and the personality types they represent!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Archetypes of a Generation (Part 2)

PART II

"Leonardo leads,

Donatello does machines,

Raphael is cool but crude,

Michelangelo is a party dude."

In Part 1, I provided a brief summary of my "Ninja Turtles as Modern Jungian Archetypes" theory. In this section, I will examine each individual turtle and the dispositions they personify. I will point out the values and flaws of each archetype and provide examples of each found elsewhere in popular culture. In the end, I hope to leave you with the knowledge to discover your own inner Turtle and seek out those who match the other archetypes. In doing so, you too can form a team with which to take on life's Tokkas, Razors, Shredders, and Foot clans.


A short disclaimer before I go on: There are many teams in contemporary fiction that fit a similar dynamic to the TMNT. I'm sure every generation has a ragtag group of ruffians up to any challenge. For some, it may be the A-Team. For others, it may be the gang from Scooby-Doo; but for those in my age group (those born roughly between 1980 and 1995) it is undoubtedly the Turtles, and I think they are the most clearly defined iteration of these timeless character types.




LEONARDO

• Character Type: Team leader. The Samurai. The General. The White Knight.
• Description: Leonardos get all the glory. Defined by their devotion to duty and purpose, and usually singled out as the glue that holds the team together. They are often seen as the "face" or "frontman" of any group to which they belong. Leo's mask is blue (a symbol of masculine virtue) and his weapon of choice (the katana) is that of a Samurai warrior, representing a dedication to honor above all else.
• Strengths: Unwavering confidence and determination. Leonardos can rally the troops no matter how bleak the odds. Their infectious enthusiasm enables them to connect with and relate to the other personality types, allowing them to inspire and maintain confidence and drive within the group.
• Weaknesses: As natural leaders, Leonardos have only themselves to look to for guidance. Even if there is a higher authority to consult in times of crisis (Master Splinter, for example) their cryptic wisdom is meaningless in the moment, and can only be deciphered through the hardships of personal experience. In moments of self-doubt, Leonardos often struggle to maintain the optimism needed to bring out the best of their teammates.
• Analogous Characters: Harry Potter; Tommy Pickles ("Rugrats"); Henry V (Shakespeare); Aragorn ("Lord of the Rings"); Dr. Raymond Stantz ("Ghostbusters"); Danny Ocean ("Ocean's 11"); Jason the Red Ranger ("Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers"); etc.

DONATELLO

• Character Type: The Brains. Scientist. Bookworm. Scholar. Tech-Savvy Wiz-Kid.
• Description: More concerned with intellectual fortitude than physical combat, Donatellos are often the unsung heroes of the group. Donatello's weapon of choice (a simple Bo staff) is itself a symbol of his utilitarian intelligence, as if to say "Bring it on, with your adorable bladed weapons. I've figure out how to take you out with a FUCKING STICK, you ingrates!"  His purple bandana indicates that his genius includes an impeccable fashion sense.
• Strengths:  While able to hold their own in battle, a Donatello's true value becomes apparent during the moments between fight scenes, when only a sharp mind can succeed where kicking some serious shell just isn't enough. Their greatest contributions are born out of a penchant for absorbing and applying the vast knowledge at their disposal. Whether building/operating advanced technologies, uncovering obscure but essential factoids, or using science and deductive logic to unlock the secrets of the ooze, Donatellos epitomize the concept of brains over brawn.
• Weaknesses: In real life, those who fit the Donatello archetype would be shoved in a locker before you could say "Cowabunga" without backup from the other three. Their inherent weaknesses are similar to those of the common nerd (i.e. confrontation, pretty girls, pet dander, etc.)
• Analogous Characters: Q ("James Bond" franchise); The Doctor ("Doctor Who"); Hermione Granger ("Harry Potter" franchise); Dr. Egon Spengler ("Ghostbusters"); Velma ("Scooby-Doo"); every "hacker" character in popular fiction; etc.

MICHELANGELO

• Character Type: The Comic Relief. Clumsy Jester. Light-Hearted Hedonist.
• Description: The class clown, equally amusing and obnoxious. Michelangelo's signature Nunchuks incorporate a lot of comedic spinning and flailing in combat, implying that even the intensity of violence is laughable. Orange, the color of his bandana, is associated with safety and often used to set objects apart from their surroundings (warning signs, traffic cones, etc.). This represents both his function as a "safety valve" on any tension within the group and his over-the-top, extroverted personality.
• Strengths: Michelangelos make sure we don't take ourselves or the challenges we face too seriously. No matter how dire the situation, a Michelangelo is never without some low-brow quips and a silly face to make light of it. The levity they contribute is a vital component in the optimum group dynamic. Michelangelos act as social lubricant, greasing the wheels for collaboration and ensuring that we don't take ourselves too seriously. In times of crisis, their goofy one-liners allow us to laugh in the face of insurmountable odds. Though their foolishness is often looked down upon, Michelangelos are the key to maintaining motivation and morale.
• Weaknesses: If you've ever stood in a soul-crushingly long line after an even longer day and the person behind you feels compelled to make loud obnoxious "jokes", amusing only themselves as you grind your teeth and strain to avoid eye contact, then you are familiar with the downsides of the Michelangelo personality. Arguably the most self destructive of the four, their pathological need to be a one-man-party tends to get on everyone else's nerves at one point or another, but as long as they are entertained by their own antics, they see no reason to curb their behavior. This self-satisfied disposition, if unchecked by a group dynamic, will eventually manifest as a lethargic disregard for self-improvement.
• Analogous Characters: Shaggy ("Scooby-Doo"); Dr. Peter Venkman ("Ghostbusters"); Chandler Bing & Joey Tribbiani ("Friends"); Ronald Weasley ("Harry Potter"); R2-D2 ("Star Wars"); Eric Matthews ("Boy Meets World"); Ed ("Shaun of the Dead"); etc.

RAPHAEL

• Character Type: The Loose Cannon. Hot-Headed Renegade. Brooding Anti-Hero. 
• Description: While Michelangelo is cracking wise about the problem at hand, a Raphael will always be first to say: "That's real cute and all, but we're kinda in some deep shit here." They deal strictly in harsh truths and have little patience for anything less. His use of the Sais (a pair of three-pronged daggers) in combat represents his up-close-and-personal approach to confronting adversity and a willingness get his hands dirty where others might hesitate. His bandana (being red) is universally understood as a symbol of passion and emotional intensity.
• Strengths: Raphael's fiery temper and perpetual pessimism hint at a passionate personal commitment to constant improvement. Their anger and negativity are merely the byproducts of a deeply emotional attachment to the group and it's goals. Their intense focus and determination, unrivaled by the other types, manifests as antagonistic skepticism. In the planning stages, a Raphael takes it upon themselves to play devil's advocate and find flaws in everybody's ideas (including their own). Raphaels are never satisfied. They keep us striving for perfection, even if that means pissing everybody off. And when the shit hits the fan, a Raphael relishes the opportunity to throw themselves into said shit,  guns blazing.
• Weaknesses: Dealing with a Raphael is not only frustrating, but the value of their input is rarely apparent. The blazing passion and intensity that form the basis for their unique assets is largely internal and thus not always apparent. 99.9% of the time, they come across as buzz-killing Debbie-Downers. No matter what the group may accomplish, the Raphael always has a few "Yeah, but..." derisions to drag us back to earth. Their constant criticism may appear to be holier-than-thou proclamations of superiority, but are actually projections of a constant internal struggle between an insatiable need for improvement and a crippling self-doubt. The time and effort they put into second-guessing themselves in the interest of perfection is usually externalized as hostility and resentment for those who don't seem to be taking things as seriously. In their defeatist psyche, none of us are up to the task at hand (least of all, themselves).
• Analogous Characters: Wolverine ("X-Men"); Holden Caulfield ("The Catcher in the Rye"); John Bender ("The Breakfast Club"); John McClane ("Die Hard");  B.A. Baracus ("The A-Team"); Severus Snape ("Harry Potter"); etc.

The united, indomitable force.

And there you have it! The four personalities essential to achieving a unified force greater than the sum of it's parts; the archetypal models for the generation now facing adulthood. Look closely at your peers and the color of their metaphorical bandana will show through. While it may be easier to make friends with those who share your inner turtle, surrounding yourself with the other three can be infinitely more effective. If you can put your differences aside and learn to play off of each others strengths, you will find that the resulting collaborative energy can be applied to anything the group sets out to achieve. It's not always fun, but the eventual results will consistently prove fruitful for those willing to stick it out.

So, which Turtle are you? Who are the Michelangelos, Leonardos, Donatellos, and Raphaels in your life? How do you/can you apply this archetypal structure to your day-to-day? Is this just a bunch of drawn-out bullshit? Please continue the discussion and leave your comments below!