CHARACTER TYPES AND ARCHETYPES
PROTAGONIST The Protagonist is the main character, the hero – ‘pro’ means for
– ‘agonist’ means a competitor, as in a sport or contest
– So the protagonist is who the audience roots forExamples:Bella-TwilightHarry PotterDorothy-”Wizard of Oz”
ANTAGONIST The Antagonist is the opponent, the villain, or the
source of conflict The antagonist could be the ‘bad guy’ or it could
be anything that the hero must struggle against like bad weather such as deep snow, a bad social system like severe poverty, or a bad habit
Examples: Jacob or Edward Lord Voldemort Wicked Witch of the West
MAJOR CHARACTER A Major Character is a main character but not
necessarily the main character (the hero). Major characters tends to be Round.
Examples: Hermione-Harry Potter Tin Man, Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion-”Wizard of Oz” Darrel, SodaPop, Dallas-The Outsiders
ROUND CHARACTER A Round Character is well developed or complex
and has motivations that can be empathized with
(empathy is understanding or being sensitive to the feelings or experiences of another)
MINOR CHARACTER A Minor Character is a supporting, less important
character
Minor Characters tend to be Flat, or Static
Examples:Auntie Em-”The Wizard of Oz”Luchesi-The Cask of Amontillado
FLAT CHARACTERS A Flat Character is a stereotyped or stock
character, doesn’t change, remains static
has one trait or very few traits, he is what he does, he is usually static, meaning unchanging
(a static character does not learn orchange over the course of the story)
FOIL CHARACTER A Foil Character is a character that can be used as
a contrast to the main character
Hans Solo-”Star Wars Robin-Batman and Robin
A DYNAMIC CHARACTER A Dynamic Character is a character that changes
or experiences a “character arc”:
This is an experience in the story that gives the character insight and causes him to change (or grow) by the end of the story.
Ebeneezer Scrooge-A Christmas Carol
FLAW A Flaw is a trait; it may be a weakness or a defect
that causes failure
To analyze character (and therefore to get deeper insight into the theme) look for character flaws
WHAT ARE ARCHETYPES
ar-che-type- Noun
1. The original pattern or model from which all things of the same kind are copied or on which they are based; a model or first form; prototype
2. (in Jungian psychology) a collectively inherited unconscious idea, patter of though, image, etc., universally present in individual psyches
WHAT ARE ARCHETYPES
The HeroThink of the classic hero and qualities of a hero The main character leaves his or her community to go
on an adventure, performing deeds that bring honor to the community
The Villain/Monster An antagonist, especially in opposition
to the hero
The Sidekick Provides a service, symbolically
speaking, to a personality that often has a stronger nature or a role in life that carries more authority
The Underdog Characters who are always
in the wrong place at the wrong time, but who
usually win something of value in the end
WHAT ARE ARCHETYPES
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