Elizabeth de Burgh as Great Mother Archetype, Queen Archetype and Freedom Archetype in Nigel Tranter’s “The Bruce Trilogy”

Abstract

Elizabeth de Burgh is depicted as a nurturing and supportive mother to her children, particularly to her husband Robert Bruce. She possesses a maternal instinct that provides emotional support, guidance, and strength to her children and husband through difficult times as the Great Mother Archetype. As a Queen Archetype, she is highlighted by her regal dignity, wisdom, and leadership abilities. Elizabeth’s marriage to Robert Bruce and her interactions with the English Court all illustrate her representation of this archetype. Moreover, Elizabeth represents the Freedom Archetype through her unwavering commitment to Scotland’s independence. Her active participation in her husband ’s plan for Scottish independence displays her passion for freedom and her willingness to fight for it. Elizabeth de Burgh embodies three archetypes in Nigel Tranter’s “The Bruce Trilogy”, the Great Mother Archetype, Queen Archetype, and Freedom Archetype. Her character development and actions throughout the plot demonstrate the importance of these archetypes. Her representation of these archetypes shows her as a sanguine, intelligent, talented, safeguarding, complex and multifaceted character, with the ability to be both compassionate and formidable, nurturing and commanding, and loyal to both her family and country. Her character serves as an inspiration for women to embody multiple archetypes and to remain steadfast in their values and beliefs. Hence, this paper traces such evidence of archetypal elements in the trilogy.

Keywords

• elizabeth de burgh
• great mother archetype
• queen archetype
• freedom archetype
• nigel tranter
• the bruce trilogy