Archetypes and the Fourth Gospel: Literature and Theology in Conversation

Explores the interaction of literature and theology by means of archetypal criticism with reference to characters in the Gospel of John. Specifically, Northrop Frye's system of archetypal literary criticism is employed, which consists of four meta-archetypes (mythoi): romance, tragedy, irony and satire, and comedy. These archetypes offer a compelling summary of literature and form the essential governing framework and means of exchange between literature and theology. Characters in the Fourth Gospel are examined through a specific archetype, and, reciprocally, these characters illuminate and inform important theological aspects of their respective archetypes: Jesus and romance (hero story); Pilate and tragedy; the Jews and Thomas and irony; and Peter and comedy.Additionally, this book clarifies the understanding of Frye's archetypes and identifies the key variable between each one: the relationship between (1) a belief or ideal and (2) experience or reality. This theologically significant relationship in Romance (Jesus), tragedy (Pilate), irony (the Jews and Thomas), and comedy (Peter) may be characterized, respectively, by representation, reduction, negation, and integration.