Common motifs in novels include war, destiny, quest, mentors, heroes, and antagonists, while in epics these motifs are not commonly seen. In contrast, in Virgil's Aeneid, these motifs appear although the selection is epic. These commonly seen motifs are called archetypes. Interestingly, these motifs or archetypes such as destiny and quest present in the Aeneid and many novels, are also present in the film The Hunger Games (2012), created over two thousand years later. The Hunger Games follows the same archetypal patterns and motifs seen in research literature such as the Aeneid. An archetype is a basic character, common theme, or scenario that represents patterns seen in everyday human interaction. Archetypes are typically recognized as “universal symbols” and, according to Bavota, “many literary critics are of the opinion that archetypes, which have a common and recurring representation in a particular human culture or in the entire human race, shape the structure and the function of a literary work” (Bavota). For example, an archetype commonly found in literature is the hero or heroine. In The Hunger Games, we have a heroine named Katniss, who displays characteristics such as loyalty, determination and strong will. Katniss expresses her strong will and passion by consistently doing the right thing or acting impulsively throughout the film to help others, even though she knows that the repercussions following her due act could put her in danger. In the Aeneid, Virgil introduces the reader to the Trojan warrior Aeneas who will be the hero of the entire epic. Aeneas shows readers his heroic ways through Roman virtues such as dignitas and piety. He also exhibits heroic deeds through his courage. These characteristics make......middle of paper......can also be found in epic poems and films such as The Aeneid and The Hunger Games, made two thousand years apart. The best way for readers to grasp archetypes in their literary works is to recognize the patterns, characters, and scenarios within them. After discovering the archetypes in the work, it is best to understand them by understanding how they relate to or recur in human culture. Regardless of any clichés, the authors still choose to include elements and archetypes such as “lovers of the starry cross” or “the mother figure” as in the Aeneid. The association that is created once a reader finds themselves recognizing these archetypes in a novel or film is what drives writers to continue to involve them in their work. Given these points, the archetypal motifs and patterns readers encounter make up the story and create the understanding the audience will receive from the text..