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{{merge|Senex|discuss=Talk:Wise old man#Merger proposal|date=November 2009}}
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[[Image:Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn 038.jpg|right|thumb|250px|A wise old man: "Philosopher in Meditation" by [[Rembrandt]]]]
[[Image:Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn 038.jpg|right|thumb|250px|A wise old man: "Philosopher in Meditation" by [[Rembrandt]]]]
The '''wise old man''' (also called '''sage''' or "[[Senex]]") is an [[archetype]] as described by [[Carl Jung]]. It is also a classic [[literature|literary]] figure, and may be seen as a [[stock character]].<ref>[[Northrop Frye]], ''[[Anatomy of Criticism]]'', p 151, ISBN 0-691-01298-9</ref> [[Historical]]ly, an [[expert]] was referred to as a [[Sage (Sophos)|sage]]. The individual was usually a profound [[philosopher]] distinguished for [[wisdom]] and sound [[judgment]].
The '''wise old man''' (also called '''Senex''', '''sage''' or '''sophos''') is an [[archetype]] as described by [[Carl Jung]], as well as a classic [[literature|literary]] figure, and may be seen as a [[stock character]].<ref>[[Northrop Frye]], ''[[Anatomy of Criticism]]'', p 151, ISBN 0-691-01298-9</ref> The wise old man is usually a profound [[philosopher]] distinguished for [[wisdom]] and sound [[judgment]].


== Traits ==
== Traits ==


This type of character is typically represented as a kind and wise, older father-type figure who uses personal knowledge of people and the world to help tell stories and offer guidance that, in a mystical way, may impress upon his audience a sense of who they are and who they might become, thereby acting as a [[mentor]]. He may occasionally appear as an [[absent-minded professor]], appearing absent minded due to a predilection for contemplative pursuits.
This type of character is typically represented as a kind and wise, older father-type figure who uses personal knowledge of people and the world to help tell stories and offer guidance that, in a mystical way, may impress upon his audience a sense of who they are and who they might become, thereby acting as a [[mentor]]. He may occasionally appear as an [[absent-minded professor]], appearing absent-minded due to a predilection for contemplative pursuits.


The wise old man is often seen to be in some way "foreign", that is, from a different culture, nation, or occasionally, even a different time, than those he advises. In extreme cases, he may be a [[liminal being]], such as [[Merlin]], who was only half human.
The wise old man is often seen to be in some way "foreign", that is, from a different culture, nation, or occasionally, even a different time, than those he advises. In extreme cases, he may be a [[liminal being]], such as [[Merlin]], who was only half human.
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In storytelling, the character of the wise old man is commonly killed or in some other way removed for a time, in order to allow the hero to develop on his/her own.
In storytelling, the character of the wise old man is commonly killed or in some other way removed for a time, in order to allow the hero to develop on his/her own.


== In Jungian Psychology ==
==Terminology==
Jung dubbed this character as a ''[[senex]]''. This is Latin for '''old man''' in general, and in fact, two stock characters of the stage are the ''[[senex iratus]]'', an old man who irrationally objects to the love between the younger characters, and the ''[[senex amans]]'', an old man foolishly in love with a woman too young for him. Jung's ''senex'', unlike these characters, has grown old graciously. His wisdom is not only in his increased knowledge and judgment, but his knowing that younger people have taken on the role of hero, and that his position has changed to one of mentor.


In [[Carl Jung|Jung]]ian [[analytical psychology]], '''Senex''' is the specific term used in association with this archetype<ref>{{cite book |title= Terrapsychology: Reengaging
Merlin fell from the role of ''senex'' to ''senex amans'' when he fell in love with [[Nimue]]; this lapse in judgment is what led to his enchantment and imprisonment.
the Soul of Place|last= Chalquist|first= Craig|year= 2007|publisher= Spring Journal Books|isbn= 978-1882670659}}</ref>. In Ancient Rome, the title of Senex ([[Latin]] for ''old man'') was only awarded to elderly men with families who had good standing in their village. Examples of the senex [[archetype]] in a positive form include the [[wise old man]] or [[Magician (fantasy)|wizard]]. The senex may also appear in a negative form as a devouring [[father]] (e.g. [[Ouranos]], [[Cronus]]) or a doddering [[fool]].

The antithetical archetype, or [[enantiodromia|enantiodromic opposite]], of the senex is the [[Puer Aeternus]].

==In Theater==
*Two stock characters of theater are the [[senex amans]], an old man unsuitably in love with a much younger woman, and the [[senex iratus]], an old man who irrationally opposes the love of the young couple.<ref>{{cite book |title= [[Anatomy of Criticism]]|last= Frye|first= Northrop |authorlink= Northrop Frye|year= 1971|publisher= [[Princeton University Press]]|location= [[Princeton, New Jersey|Princeton]]|isbn= 9780691012988|oclc= 31807672|page= 172}}</ref>

⚫
==In Fiction==
⚫
*Due to the influence of [[Merlin]] (and later [[Gandalf]]), a wise old man is often presented in the form of a [[wizard]] or other [[Magician (fantasy)|magician]] in medieval chivalric [[Romance (genre)|romance]] and modern [[fantasy literature]] and [[films]] (e.g. [[Obi-Wan Kenobi]], [[Yoda]], or [[Gandalf]]) See [[List of magicians in fantasy]] for more examples.

*Senex is the name of a wise old fara, a subcellular creature inside a [[mitochondrion]], in the novel ''[[A Wind in the Door]]'' by [[Madeleine L'Engle]].<ref>{{cite book |title= [[A Wind in the Door]]|last= L'Engle|first= Madeleine|authorlink= Madeleine L'Engle|year= 1973|publisher= [[Farrar, Straus and Giroux]]|location= [[New York City|New York]]|isbn= 9780374384432|oclc= 709787}}</ref>

==In Poetry==
*"Senex" is the title of a poem by [[Sir John Betjeman]]<ref>[http://www.sanjeev.net/poetry/betjeman-john/senex-182201.html "Senex" by John Betjeman]</ref> describing an older man's guilty, but harmless, pleasure in watching young women playing sports.

==In Journalism==
*Sir [[Alan Lascelles]] used the pen-name "Senex" when writing to ''[[The Times]]'' in 1950 setting out the so-called [[Lascelles Principles]] concerning the monarch's right to refuse a prime minister's request for a general election.


==Examples==
==Examples==
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* [[Utnapishtim]] from the [[Epic of Gilgamesh]]
* [[Utnapishtim]] from the [[Epic of Gilgamesh]]
* [[Mímir]], in [[Norse mythology]]
* [[Mímir]], in [[Norse mythology]]

⚫
===Fiction===
⚫
As noted above, due to the influence of [[Merlin]] (and later [[Gandalf]]), a wise old man is often presented in the form of a [[wizard]] or other [[Magician (fantasy)|magician]] in medieval chivalric [[Romance (genre)|romance]] and modern [[fantasy literature]] and [[films]] (e.g. [[Obi-Wan Kenobi]], [[Yoda]], or [[Gandalf]]) See [[List of magicians in fantasy]] for more examples.


==See also==
==See also==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Wise Old Man}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wise Old Man}}
[[Category:Jungian archetypes]]
[[Category:Jungian archetypes]]
[[Category:Jungian psychology]]
[[Category:Men]]
[[Category:Men]]
[[Category:Stock characters]]
[[Category:Stock characters]]
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[[simple:Sage]]
[[simple:Sage]]
[[fi:Viisas vanhus]]
[[fi:Viisas vanhus]]
[[bg:Старец (аналитична психология)]]
[[sv:Den gamle mannen]]

Revision as of 00:54, 28 January 2010

A wise old man: "Philosopher in Meditation" by Rembrandt

The wise old man (also called Senex, sage or sophos) is an archetype as described by Carl Jung, as well as a classic literary figure, and may be seen as a stock character.[1] The wise old man is usually a profound philosopher distinguished for wisdom and sound judgment.

Traits

This type of character is typically represented as a kind and wise, older father-type figure who uses personal knowledge of people and the world to help tell stories and offer guidance that, in a mystical way, may impress upon his audience a sense of who they are and who they might become, thereby acting as a mentor. He may occasionally appear as an absent-minded professor, appearing absent-minded due to a predilection for contemplative pursuits.

The wise old man is often seen to be in some way "foreign", that is, from a different culture, nation, or occasionally, even a different time, than those he advises. In extreme cases, he may be a liminal being, such as Merlin, who was only half human.

In medieval chivalric romance and modern fantasy literature, he is often presented as a wizard.[2] He can also or instead be featured as a hermit. This character type often explained to the knights or heroes — particularly those searching for the Holy Grail — the significiance of their encounters.[3]

In storytelling, the character of the wise old man is commonly killed or in some other way removed for a time, in order to allow the hero to develop on his/her own.

In Jungian Psychology

In Jungian analytical psychology, Senex is the specific term used in association with this archetype[4]. In Ancient Rome, the title of Senex (Latin for old man) was only awarded to elderly men with families who had good standing in their village. Examples of the senex archetype in a positive form include the wise old man or wizard. The senex may also appear in a negative form as a devouring father (e.g. Ouranos, Cronus) or a doddering fool.

The antithetical archetype, or enantiodromic opposite, of the senex is the Puer Aeternus.

In Theater

  • Two stock characters of theater are the senex amans, an old man unsuitably in love with a much younger woman, and the senex iratus, an old man who irrationally opposes the love of the young couple.[5]

In Fiction

In Poetry

  • "Senex" is the title of a poem by Sir John Betjeman[7] describing an older man's guilty, but harmless, pleasure in watching young women playing sports.

In Journalism

  • Sir Alan Lascelles used the pen-name "Senex" when writing to The Times in 1950 setting out the so-called Lascelles Principles concerning the monarch's right to refuse a prime minister's request for a general election.

Examples

Historical

File:Xi Kang.JPG
Xi Kang

Mythology

Merlin instructing a young knight, from The Idylls of the King

See also

References

  1. ^ Northrop Frye, Anatomy of Criticism, p 151, ISBN 0-691-01298-9
  2. ^ Northrop Frye, Anatomy of Criticism, p 195, ISBN 0-691-01298-9
  3. ^ Penelope Reed Doob, The Idea of the Labyrinth: from Classical Antiquity through the Middle Ages, p 179-81, ISBN 0-8014-8000-0
  4. ^ Chalquist, Craig (2007). Terrapsychology: Reengaging the Soul of Place. Spring Journal Books. ISBN 978-1882670659. {{cite book}}: line feed character in |title= at position 28 (help)
  5. ^ Frye, Northrop (1971). Anatomy of Criticism. Princeton: Princeton University Press. p. 172. ISBN 9780691012988. OCLC 31807672.
  6. ^ L'Engle, Madeleine (1973). A Wind in the Door. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 9780374384432. OCLC 709787.
  7. ^ "Senex" by John Betjeman
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