1. You should already know this, but let’s REVIEW anyways…
Types of characters

2. Protagonist Person on whom actions centers
Character who drives the action forward
Character who attempts
to accomplish something
Usually seen as “the good guy” or hero/heroine
Usually round & dynamic

3. Antagonist Character or force that holds the action back
Character who wants something in opposition to the protagonist Usually seen as the “bad guy” or villain

4. Foil character Secondary or minor character
Character who is a contrast or opposite to the protagonist
Character who emphasizes or highlights the traits of the protagonist because he/she
is the direct opposite

5. Dynamic Character
Undergoes an important change in personality in the story Comes to some sort of realization that permanently changes the character A change occurs within the character because of the events of the story The protagonist is usually dynamic, but not always

6. Static Character Remains the same throughout the story
Although something may happen to the character, it does not cause the character to change
The protagonist is usually dynamic, but not always

7. Round character “The test of a round character is
Has many traits, both good and bad
Not easily defined because we know many details about the character
Realistic and life-like
Most major characters are
round
“The test of a round character is
whether it is capable of surprising
in a convincing way. If it never
surprises, t is flat.”
- E.M. Forster

8. Flat character Does not have many Traits Easily defined in a
single sentence
because we know
little about the
Character
Sometimes stereotyped
Most minor characters are flat

9. The rest of this should be new!!!
character Archetypes
Swiss philosopher Car Jung discovered certain similarities in the myths of different civilizations which had no possible contact with one another. By examining these myths and individuals’ dreams, he concluded that there are certain patterns which were simply innate to the human psyche- a part of the unconscious of every individual.
- Carl Jung, “Archetypes in Literature”

10. ARCHETYPES

11. Hero
A larger-than-life character that often goes on some kind of journey or quest.
In the course of his journey, the hero demonstrates the qualities and abilities valued by his culture.
At birth, someone tries to kill hero (or curse them).
Usually taken away, raised by foster parents
Audience or reader knows little of his/her childhood

12. Mentor Alfred The protector and leader Father or mother figure
Serve as guardians, teachers, or counselors to the initiate
Sometimes work as role models
The “good mother” or “good father”
Alfred
Sebastian

13. Loyal Retainer/Hunting Group of Companions
Loyal to the hero
Retainers-work for the hero
Friends-often heroic themselves
Act in a way that represent the hero’s nobility
Protectors
Flounder
Ron

14. Friendly Beast An animal helping our hero through his journey. Gingy
Timon and Pumba
Gingy

15. The Damsel in Distress
Sometimes we see the man in distress and the damsel rescuing him
Vulnerable, naïve, helpless
Must be rescued by the hero
Often used as bait
Representing purity and innocence.

16. Outcast
Figure banished from a social group from some crime against mankind
Real crime
Imagined crime
Destined to become a wanderer
Donkey
Hancock

17. The Fatal Woman/Temptress
A woman who uses her power (intellect, magic, or most of all, beauty) to make men, especially the Hero, weak.
Ultimately brings about his downfall
Megara

18. The Witch
A woman, often a hag (though she may be disguised as a beautiful young woman), who attempts to trap and destroy the protagonist
Can also be the “bad mother”
Ursula

19. Monster or Villain
The antagonist, especially in opposition to the hero.
Evil
Cruel and Malicious
Cunning

20. Demonic Adversary (Devil Character)
Offers a trade for the hero’s soul, or the thing most important to them “Demonic Pact”
Very Cunning
Unreliable, dishonest
Hades
Joker

21. Minions “Side-kicks” for the antagonist In it for themselves
Don’t hesitate to turn on, or run away from the villain if they’re in danger
Flotsam and Jetsam
Banzai, Ed, Shenzi

22. Star-crossed Lovers
Love is disapproved of by society, friends, or family
It WILL end badly, often with the death of one or both characters
Rose and Jack

23. Earth Mother Symbolic of fruition, abundance.
Offers spiritual and emotional nourishment to those with whom she comes in contact.
Often depicted in earth colors.
Mrs. Weasley
Fairy Godmother

24. Platonic Ideal A woman who is a source of inspiration to the hero
The hero has an intellectual rather than physical attraction to her