Post by 𝐊𝐀𝐓 ᴀᴋᴀ 𝓡𝓮𝓭 𝓥𝓲𝓹𝓮𝓻 on Sept 13, 2023 9:37:59 GMT -4
12 Archetypal Characters
Something i found HERE, that i found gave some great examples of different character archetypes. Works with Character Concepts to give a more in depth look.
For those just coming up with a character, i hope this provides some inspiration.
Some archetypal characters are well known—the hero, for instance—while others, such as the sage, are discussed less frequently outside of literary circles. While some archetypes lend themselves most readily to protagonists or villains, it’s worth noting that any of these archetypes can apply to good, bad, major, or minor characters.
Here are the 12 common character archetypes, as well as examples of archetype in famous works of literature and film.
1. The Lover
The romantic lead who’s guided by the heart.
Strengths: humanism, passion, conviction
Weaknesses: naivete, irrationality
Lover Archetype Examples: Romeo and Juliet (Romeo and Juliet), Noah Calhoun (The Notebook), Scarlett O’Hara (Gone With the Wind), Belle (Beauty and the Beast)
2. The Hero
The protagonist who rises to meet a challenge and saves the day.
Strengths: courage, perseverance, honor
Weaknesses: overconfidence, hubris
Hero Archetype Examples: Achilles (The Iliad), Luke Skywalker (Star Wars), Wonder Woman (Wonder Woman), Harry Potter (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone)
3. The Magician
A powerful figure who has harnessed the ways of the universe to achieve key goals.
Strengths: omniscience, omnipotence, discipline
Weaknesses: corruptibility, arrogance
Magician Archetype Examples: Prospero (The Tempest), Gandalf (The Lord of the Rings), Morpheus (The Matrix), Darth Vader (Star Wars)
4. The Outlaw
The rebel who won’t abide by society’s demands.
Strengths: independent thinking, virtue, owes no favors
Weaknesses: self-involved, potentially criminal
Outlaw Archetype Examples: Han Solo (Star Wars), Dean Moriarty (On the Road), Humbert Humbert (Lolita), Batman (The Dark Knight)
5. The Explorer
A character naturally driven to push the boundaries of the status quo and explore the unknown.
Strengths: curious, driven, motivated by self-improvement
Weaknesses: restless, unreliable, never satisfied
Explorer Archetype Examples: Odysseus (The Odyssey), Sal Paradise (On the Road), Huckleberry Finn (The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn), Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes)
6. The Sage
A wise figure with knowledge for those who inquire. The mother figure or mentor is often based on this archetype.
Strengths: wisdom, experience, insight
Weaknesses: cautious, hesitant to actually join the action
Famous sages: Athena (The Odyssey), Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars), Hannibal Lecter (The Silence of the Lambs), The Oracle (The Matrix)
7. The Innocent
A morally pure character, often a child, whose only intentions are good.
Strengths: morality, kindness, sincerity
Weaknesses: vulnerable, naive, rarely skilled
Innocent Archetype Examples: Tiny Tim (A Christmas Carol), Lennie Small (Of Mice and Men), Cio-Cio-san (Madame Butterfly), Buddy the Elf (Elf)
8. The Creator
A motivated visionary who creates art or structures during the narrative.
Strengths: creativity, willpower, conviction
Weaknesses: self-involvement, single-mindedness, lack of practical skills
Creator Archetype Examples: Zeus (The Iliad), Dr. Emmett Brown (Back to the Future), Dr. Moreau (The Island of Dr. Moreau), Dr. Victor Frankenstein (Frankenstein)
9. The Ruler
A character with legal or emotional power over others.
Strengths: omnipotence, status, resources
Weaknesses: aloofness, disliked by others, out of touch
Ruler Archetype Examples: Creon (Oedipus Rex), King Lear (King Lear), Aunt Sally (The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn), Tony Soprano (The Sopranos)
10. The Caregiver
A character who continually supports others and makes sacrifices on their behalf.
Strengths: honorable, selfless, loyal
Weaknesses: lacking personal ambition or leadership
Caregiver Archetype Examples: Dolly Oblonsky (Anna Karenina), Calpurnia (To Kill a Mockingbird), Samwell Tarly (The Game of Thrones series), Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins)
11. The Everyman
A relatable character who feels recognizable from daily life.
Strengths: grounded, salt-of-the-earth, relatable
Weaknesses: lacking special powers, often unprepared for what’s to come
Everyman Archetype Examples: Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit), Leopold Bloom (Ulysses), Leslie Knope (Parks & Recreation), Winston Smith (1984)
12. The Jester
A funny character or trickster who provides comic relief, but may also speak important truths.
Strengths: funny, disarming, insightful
Weaknesses: can be obnoxious and superficial
Jester Archetype Examples: Sir John Falstaff (Henry V), King Lear’s Fool (King Lear), Frank and Estelle Costanza (Seinfeld), R2D2 and C-3PO (Star Wars)
Something i found HERE, that i found gave some great examples of different character archetypes. Works with Character Concepts to give a more in depth look.
For those just coming up with a character, i hope this provides some inspiration.
Some archetypal characters are well known—the hero, for instance—while others, such as the sage, are discussed less frequently outside of literary circles. While some archetypes lend themselves most readily to protagonists or villains, it’s worth noting that any of these archetypes can apply to good, bad, major, or minor characters.
Here are the 12 common character archetypes, as well as examples of archetype in famous works of literature and film.
1. The Lover
The romantic lead who’s guided by the heart.
Strengths: humanism, passion, conviction
Weaknesses: naivete, irrationality
Lover Archetype Examples: Romeo and Juliet (Romeo and Juliet), Noah Calhoun (The Notebook), Scarlett O’Hara (Gone With the Wind), Belle (Beauty and the Beast)
2. The Hero
The protagonist who rises to meet a challenge and saves the day.
Strengths: courage, perseverance, honor
Weaknesses: overconfidence, hubris
Hero Archetype Examples: Achilles (The Iliad), Luke Skywalker (Star Wars), Wonder Woman (Wonder Woman), Harry Potter (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone)
3. The Magician
A powerful figure who has harnessed the ways of the universe to achieve key goals.
Strengths: omniscience, omnipotence, discipline
Weaknesses: corruptibility, arrogance
Magician Archetype Examples: Prospero (The Tempest), Gandalf (The Lord of the Rings), Morpheus (The Matrix), Darth Vader (Star Wars)
4. The Outlaw
The rebel who won’t abide by society’s demands.
Strengths: independent thinking, virtue, owes no favors
Weaknesses: self-involved, potentially criminal
Outlaw Archetype Examples: Han Solo (Star Wars), Dean Moriarty (On the Road), Humbert Humbert (Lolita), Batman (The Dark Knight)
5. The Explorer
A character naturally driven to push the boundaries of the status quo and explore the unknown.
Strengths: curious, driven, motivated by self-improvement
Weaknesses: restless, unreliable, never satisfied
Explorer Archetype Examples: Odysseus (The Odyssey), Sal Paradise (On the Road), Huckleberry Finn (The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn), Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes)
6. The Sage
A wise figure with knowledge for those who inquire. The mother figure or mentor is often based on this archetype.
Strengths: wisdom, experience, insight
Weaknesses: cautious, hesitant to actually join the action
Famous sages: Athena (The Odyssey), Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars), Hannibal Lecter (The Silence of the Lambs), The Oracle (The Matrix)
7. The Innocent
A morally pure character, often a child, whose only intentions are good.
Strengths: morality, kindness, sincerity
Weaknesses: vulnerable, naive, rarely skilled
Innocent Archetype Examples: Tiny Tim (A Christmas Carol), Lennie Small (Of Mice and Men), Cio-Cio-san (Madame Butterfly), Buddy the Elf (Elf)
8. The Creator
A motivated visionary who creates art or structures during the narrative.
Strengths: creativity, willpower, conviction
Weaknesses: self-involvement, single-mindedness, lack of practical skills
Creator Archetype Examples: Zeus (The Iliad), Dr. Emmett Brown (Back to the Future), Dr. Moreau (The Island of Dr. Moreau), Dr. Victor Frankenstein (Frankenstein)
9. The Ruler
A character with legal or emotional power over others.
Strengths: omnipotence, status, resources
Weaknesses: aloofness, disliked by others, out of touch
Ruler Archetype Examples: Creon (Oedipus Rex), King Lear (King Lear), Aunt Sally (The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn), Tony Soprano (The Sopranos)
10. The Caregiver
A character who continually supports others and makes sacrifices on their behalf.
Strengths: honorable, selfless, loyal
Weaknesses: lacking personal ambition or leadership
Caregiver Archetype Examples: Dolly Oblonsky (Anna Karenina), Calpurnia (To Kill a Mockingbird), Samwell Tarly (The Game of Thrones series), Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins)
11. The Everyman
A relatable character who feels recognizable from daily life.
Strengths: grounded, salt-of-the-earth, relatable
Weaknesses: lacking special powers, often unprepared for what’s to come
Everyman Archetype Examples: Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit), Leopold Bloom (Ulysses), Leslie Knope (Parks & Recreation), Winston Smith (1984)
12. The Jester
A funny character or trickster who provides comic relief, but may also speak important truths.
Strengths: funny, disarming, insightful
Weaknesses: can be obnoxious and superficial
Jester Archetype Examples: Sir John Falstaff (Henry V), King Lear’s Fool (King Lear), Frank and Estelle Costanza (Seinfeld), R2D2 and C-3PO (Star Wars)
Founded April 26, 2005