The World is a Stage
Casting Call for your Life
All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages. At first the infant, Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms; Speech: “All the world’s a stage”
(from As You Like It, spoken by Jaques)
What if your life was a drama, played out on a stage, and everyone else plays a role in your story?
We can solve our problems usually by stepping out of our own experience for a minute just long enough to gain a new perspective. When unattached, even aloof, we can have enough “aha!” in order to come back to reality and play out our role better - with a more intentional experience.
In any great story, there are 11 roles that characters play. In dreams, your imagination will bring in familiar faces to play those roles that are really you - your unconscious. In waking life, people also play out roles. If you think of life as a theater, with each person playing one of these roles - how would that change how you behaved?
Hero
Of course, there is the hero/heroine - in the movie Hunger Games, this is played by Katniss Everdeen. The story revolves around her. Most of the time, this is played by you. You are the central character in your story and get to determine the tone and direction the story continues.
Mentor
There is also the Mentor - this is a wise, usually older person, who provides guidance and sometimes a dip in the waters of harsh truths. The mentor steers you back on the path when you wander, and speaks to your higher self, hoping you will listen. The mentor can often be viewed with resentment as they point out your flaws and weaknesses. Haymitch plays this role in the movie for Katniss. In your own life, this might be a parent, teacher, counsellor or spiritual leader.
Herald
Every adventure begins with a call and the Herald is the one to deliver. Usually this call comes out of nowhere, interrupting you life. Heralds are often ignored because of the disruption they bring to routine life. In the movie, Effie plays this role as she issues out the call to adventure to Katniss. In your own life, this person might be viewed as antagonistic, but this role’s design is to help you achieve your calling. In your life, this might be a rude person, a teacher who thinks you can do better, or a random phone call. Listen!
Goddess
The Fairy Godmother, or Goddess, always comes along to grant you a boon after you answer the call. Indeed, many people want the gifts of the goddess, but few are willing to answer the call to adventure! In the movie, Cinna dresses Katniss up for the grand stage of the capital. He gives her enough blessings to make it through the lion’s den of politics in the city. Fairy godmothers, in your life, are a lot like mentors, although we probably like them better - since they provide mystique and lots of magical gifts. Usually they show up at just the right time to help but leave as quickly as they came. Who plays this role in your life?
Villain
Every hero has a shadow - for the shadow character is what generates the conflict and ultimately the story. Conflict lies as the heart of story, and this is why the catharsis occurs - because we don’t know if the hero will succeed. The shadow, or villain, provides all that is “other” from the hero. In the Hunger Games, President Snow is everything Katniss is not, and yet, they are so alike. For you are your shadow, although, you reject it. Many times in our lives, villains are simply other people pointing out our shadow. We get frustrated, embarrassed, worried every time that person shows up on our stage and we demonize them. But the greatest gift of the villain in story is giving the hero something to claim. Any trigger is an opportunity to grow beyond your self, listen to your mentor, use the gifts of the godmother and transform. Who in your life is simply “playing the role” of a villain? Keep in mind, in their life, they are the hero.
Mercenary
Mercenaries are played out by the people, who are on your team, but don’t do things quite like you do. They are not hostile, but often frustrating because they accomplish things from an opposing viewpoint. In the hunger games, Gale provides this role for Katniss. She and him are friends, maybe lovers, but see life very differently and take different paths. Often these people come and go in your life, sometimes provided emergency service to your cause. Like the villain, they provide frustration but also help.
Ally
Allies are the more friendly and loyal bunch to your main character’s story. They ride or die with you and while sometimes meddling in your life and messing up your drama, they are lovable and you keep them around. In the movie, Effie changes roles from Herald to Ally and helps Katniss along her adventure, providing a little comic relief to an otherwise heavy theme. Allies often do that - provide levity to your drama. We like them!
Damsel
Princess/Prince are played out in the way Carl Jung describes the Anima/Animus. This person “completes” you. This may actually be your partner in that they fulfill everything you are not - a lot like Peeta to Katniss. This can be a lover, muse, or object of adoration. We revere the anima because, like a princess in any story, she is unapproachable, yet desired. She must be saved and in doing so, save the hero from a unfortunate life. The role of the anima/animus is literally to “animate” the story, give you purpose and provide color to an otherwise drab existence.
Temptress
The Temptress provides another insidious role in your drama. This devil shows you all of the wonders of the world if you would simply drift a little from your responsibilities. She is the red apple, the mirage, the siren’s call, the pleasure island, calling the hero, like the Herald, but to their destruction. Often this role might be played by someone, even friends, in your life who means well, but calls you away from your duties. In the movie, I thought maybe Caesar called Katniss away - attempting to charm her into living the life of a Tribute, to which she must turn away and fulfill her calling to undo the Hunger Games. Temptresses often show us what our true values are - by offering an easy way out and allowing us to take the narrow way to life.
Trickster
The Trickster is another character who might be considered a problem in the story. They always seem to mess up our lives, provide drama, disruptions. However, sometimes the Trickster gets us out of a tight spot. They are a “friend in low places” you call upon when your allies are unable to help. The trickster has access to tools beyond your skill and sometimes, outside of your morals. In the movie, Katniss has Finnick. He provides guile in the drama. Some people in your life seem like they are not out for your good, but then occasionally come through for you as the dark horse in a race. Hold a little space for these comic reliefs, for while they embarrass and undermine you, they are like a wild card that might save your game!
Tyrant
The Tyrant is final character in the story. Unlike the Mentor, the Tyrant stands cold and unwavering in their approach to the Hero. The tyrant could also be called the father, because they provide the structure of system to the story. This system of story is a problem in the main character’s life because the system reminds the hero that they are not a hero, but they are simply a cog in a wheel and must obey. The Gamemaker plays this role, but really this part is played by Panem, the Capital. This is the matrix, the empire, the government, all designed to break the spirit of the hero and therefore give them something from which to rise heroic. In our own lives, it can be tempting to blame all of problems on the Tyrant - our jobs, schools, government. But what if that system was there to give us something to break free from? Only heroes behave heroically and that means sticking out our neck and standing up against the tyrant. Only David fought Goliath, not because he was already a hero, but the giant and his fall transformed the shepherd into a hero.
Players on a Stage
Maybe there is a cloud of witnesses, watching along and hoping for catharsis as you play out your life. Maybe, with a little reframe, you can see your problems as opportunities to transform yourself.
Who is this person and what character are they playing in my life?
Every villain is a hero in someone else’s story.
May your story continue.