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