Український соціум (Jun 2023)
Hero and villain archetypes in the context of delinquent behaviour
Abstract
The article reveals the relevance of questions related to the archetypes of the hero and the villain. Ukrainian society is going through a critically difficult period associated with the full-scale aggression of Russia and the tasks of developing internal rules of life in the country (in the direction of European values and the revival of Ukrainian ones, in contrast to the remnants of Soviet stereotypes and rules imposed by oligarchic clans in recent years). An environment that can be compared to chaos is a potential prerequisite for the emergence of “order out of chaos”, including in the formation of views and the development of rules regarding the norm of behaviour and the formation of Ukrainian archetypes of the hero and the villain. The behaviour of the hero and the villain go beyond the norm, “background behaviour”. Therefore, considering the archetype of the hero and the villain in the context of delinquency is interesting. The author considers delinquent behaviour as a catalyst for social changes, social norms that are directed against existing moral, ethical, and legal norms, and rules. In the author’s opinion, deviations that bear the signs of the new (conscious or not) are new formations (recognised or unrecognised). In the context of the identified problem, behaviour that increasingly deviates from the remnants of Soviet stereotypes and the norms and rules imposed on Ukrainian society by oligarchic clans can be considered delinquent. At the same time, new formations are actions that correspond to the chosen general European guidelines and the revival of Ukrainian values and beliefs. The author assumes the following boundaries of delinquency: on the one hand – heroism. On the other – villainism. There are transitional forms between them. The author emphasises that a villain can be understood as a clear enemy, the struggle of intrapersonal multidirectional interests and motives (one’s enemy), and a reincarnated hero (antihero, villain). The author tries to summarise the characteristics of the hero accordingly. Heroes and villains are distinguished by their values in their activities, which they are carriers of. The author characterises the modern Ukrainian hero’s values (universal human values, European values, and values of a just, fair war). This work contributes to the consolidation of society around selected values. The author sees further work in the study of the characteristics of the archetypes of the hero and the villain in the post-war period.
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