Plotting Your Character’s Demise The Purpose-Driven Death James Persichetti

End of the World Narrative Death and Meaning Meaning to the Whole End of the World Narrative Deadlines

Death and Meaning Character questions Four Major Archetypes Death Gone Wrong Reactions to Death Minor archetypes Four Major Archetypes Character questions When Why How

Preparing for Death Traits Profession Relationships Revelations Symbols Story Role

SPOILER ALERT!!

Main Death Archetypes

The Fatal Flaw Design Goals Character Questions Explore humanity Focus on theme Character Questions Traits Profession

The Fatal Flaw Othello Traits – Moor, jealous lover, eloquent, just, gullible Profession – Venetian general Relationships – married to Desdemona, ensign is Iago, close friends to lieutenant Cassio Revelations – Desdemona’s purity, Iago’s lies Symbols – candle light, breath, animalism Story Role – tragic hero

The Fatal Flaw Inspector Javert Dorian Gray Ned Stark

The Fulfilment of Desire Design Goals Achieves personal goal Desire backfires Character Questions Traits Revelations

The Fulfilment of Desire Barbossa Traits – wants to feel human again, responsible for his own curse Profession – pirate captain Relationships – was once Jack’s First Mate Revelations – realizes too late the curse lifted Symbols – green apple, shot in the heart Story Role – main antagonist

The Fulfilment of Desire Gollum Penny Juliet

The Noble Sacrifice Design Goals Character Questions Highlight a value Redemption Final act of a mentor Character Questions Traits Relationships Story Role

The Noble Sacrifice Boromir Traits – protective, injured pride, glory, corrupted, wants to use the ring as a weapon Profession – guardian, captain of Gondor Relationships – denies Aragorn is king, Faramir’s brother, the favorite son Revelations – recognizes Aragorn as his king Symbols – shield, horn Story Role – fake ally opponent

The Noble Sacrifice Dumbledore Sydney Carton Bing Bong

Character Realization The Revelation Design Goals Reveal Secret Info Plot Twist Character Realization Character Questions Relationships Revelations Story Role

The Revelation Severus Snape Traits – guilt, half-blood, seeks redemption, wants to protect Harry for Lily’s sake Profession – the potions master, double agent Relationships – in love with Lilly, hates James and, by extension, Harry Revelations – he was the greatest ally, he loved Lilly Symbols – poison, snakes Story Role – fake opponent ally, mentor

The Revelation Roy Cyrano de Bergerac Dr. Malcolm Crowe

Minor Death Archetypes

Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru The Inciting Incident Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru Thomas Schell King Hamlet Mufasa Rue

The Thematic Death Ellie Fredricksen Uncle Ben Katsumoto Game of Thrones

The Symbolic Death Hedwig Denethor Ophelia

The False Death Mark Watney Westley Sherlock Holmes

Will, Gared, and Ser Waymar The Red Shirts Satipo Will, Gared, and Ser Waymar Alastor Moody

Coping with Death Sorrow Melancholy

Coping with Death Dallas Winston Wilson Snowden

Death Gone Wrong

Failed Deaths The Premature Death The Arbitrary Death The Closed Death

Misleading Attitudes Surprise Killing Off Pride

Questions?