Assignment 3
Characters/Archetypes
Character
A person or other being in a narrative work
May be entirely fictional or based on a real-life person
Guide readers through their stories, helping them to understand plots and ponder themes
Type
A character who stands as a representative of a particular class or group of people
Think “stereotype” or “archetype”
The study of a character requires analyzing relationships with other characters
Status defined through the network of oppositions
Stock Character
Special kind of character who is instantly recognizable to most readers
They are ‘stock’ or ‘typecast’ or ‘stereotypical’ characters
Examples include:
the ruthless businessman
the shushing old, white-haired librarian
the dumb jock or blonde
They are not focus characters nor are they developed in the story; only fulfill background or filler roles
Flat Characters
Two-dimensional characters that are relatively uncomplicated
Can be described in a single sentence
no depth and not given much information on them
Stock characters are prime examples of flat characters
Round Characters
Complex figures with many different characteristics
Most like real people since they undergo development
Described in depth, with many details
The main character in a story is almost always round.
If you are reading a story where you know a character well, then most likely the character is round
Static/Dynamic
Dynamic characters
a person who changes over time, usually as a result of resolving a central conflict or facing a major crisis
tend to be central rather than peripheral characters
resolving the conflict is their major role
Static characters
someone who does not change over time
his or her personality does not transform or evolve.
remain the same throughout
How to determine?
Look closely at your character at the beginning and end of the story :
How does the character feel about him/her/itself? Do the answers to the questions changed?
How does the character act towards others?
What is the character’s goal?
Internal Change distinguished the difference between Static and Dynamic
a change in his/her personality
a change in his/her outlook on life
a change in his/her values
a change in the nature of the character.
Hero/Heroine
A character who combats misfortune through feats of skill, bravery or strength
Often sacrifices personal concerns for greater good and often celebrated through legends
The Hero's Journey consists of three separate stages
Departure
the call to adventure (which they may initially refuse)
Initiation
a road of trials, achieving a realization about themselves (or an apotheosis), having a moment of clarity (anagnorisis)
Return.
attaining the freedom to live through their quest or journey
Examples: Gilgamesh, Beowulf, Jesus, Joan of Arc, 911 heroes, Superman
Tragic Hero
flawed individuals who commit, without evil intent, great wrongs or injuries
Misfortune often followed by tragic realization of the true nature of events that led to this destiny
Originating from Greek tragedy, must evoke in the audience a sense of pity or fear
Examples
Oedipus Rex
Anakin Skywalker
Michael Corleone of the Godfather trilogy (depending on who you ask)
Anti-Hero or Heroine/Bad Boy or Girl
A protagonist who lacks conventional heroic qualities
Not necessarily ideal, courageous, or moral
May sometimes do the right thing but maybe not for the right reasons
Often acting primarily out of self-interest
Emerged as a foil to the traditional hero archetype
Examples
Deadpool
Django
Walter from Breaking Bad
The bad boy/girl is a extension
a person who behaves badly, especially within societal norms.
irresistible rogue
More romantic or sexual overtones
Other Hero Types
Reluctant Hero
ordinary person required to rise to heroism, or an extraordinary person forced to use abilities to benefit greater good
Example: Hancock
Folk Hero
real, fictional or mythological figure who has imprinted their name, personality and deeds in popular consciousness Example: Davy Crockett
Culture Hero
mythic hero specific to a cultural, ethnic or religious group who changes the world through invention or discovery
Example: Prometheus who “discovered” fire in Greek Mythology
Other Hero Types
Romantic Hero
rejects established norms, puts self at center of own existence; focus on thoughts rather than actions
Example: Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter
Action Hero
protagonist of an action film or other entertainment which portrays action and adventure
Example: anybody Liam Neeson plays
Superhero
Possess supernatural(human) powers, dedicated to fighting crime, protecting the public, and battling supervillains
Example: Wonder Woman
Foil
a character that highlights out contrasting qualities of another character
usually contrasts with the protagonist
usually either differs dramatically or is extremely similar but with a key difference setting them apart
may also be used to portray a difference between two things
a subplot can be used as a foil to the main plot
Example:
If you look at Victor Frankenstein and compare him to the monster, his foil, who is really the monster?
Villain
an "evil" character in a story who tends to have a negative effect on other characters
usually the antagonist (though can be the protagonist)
function in the dual role of adversary and foil to hero
Adversary-serves as an obstacle the hero must struggle to overcome.
Foil-exemplifies characteristics that are creating a contrast distinguishing heroic traits from villainous ones
“Sympathetic” villains-ALMOST like anti-heroes
may wish to make the world a better place but go to antagonistic lengths to do so (like Mr. Freeze)
may employ a code of honor in fighting his enemies, even if it is to achieve antagonistic goals (like Dexter)
may be pushed to antagonistic lifestyles by society's mistreatment of him (like Derek in American History X)
may include those manipulated by malevolent and opprobrious forces (like Jack Torrance in The Shining)
Everyman
an ordinary individual who is often placed in extraordinary circumstances
not in the same way as the reluctant hero as protagonist is not necessarily a "hero"
react realistically in situations that are often taken for granted by traditional heroes
not necessarily a round or a dynamic character
the audience or reader is supposed to be able to identify easily
audience imagine selves in the same situation without possessing knowledge, skills, or abilities that excel potential
may project themselves into this character, if no dominant characteristic of prevents them from doing so
may be used as a narrator or to fill in temporal gaps in the flow of a story
Straight Man
stock character in a comedy performance
responds to comedic antics with a transition from poise to outrage or from patience to frustration
never responds with laughter
ability to maintain a serious demeanor is crucial
makes the partner look all the more ridiculous by being completely serious
Examples:
Dorothy Zbornak in Golden Girls
Jon Arbuckle in Garfield
Hank Hill of King of the Hill
Boy/Girl-Next-Door
a character perceived as familiar, approachable, and dependable
often invoked to indicate All-American or "average" masculinity or femininity
may serve as a love interest for a protagonist
often will live near by and more often than not present in romantic or sexual stories
Damsel
a beautiful or innocent young woman placed in a dire predicament by a villain, monster or alien, and who requires a male hero to achieve her rescue
After rescuing her, the hero often obtains her hand in marriage
mainstay of the comics, film, and television industries throughout the 20th century
Classic damsels
Ann Darrow from King Kong
Lois Lane
Olive Oyl from Popeye
Princess Zelda and Princess Peach
Strong Female Lead
the opposite of the damsel in distress stock character
used to question implicit assumptions about male privilege and patriarchy
not necessarily (but can and often is) physically strong or an action heroine
Examples:
Buffy Summers
Hermione Granger
Maid Marion from Robin Hood
Femme Fatale
stock character of a typically villainous, or at least morally ambiguous woman
ability to entrance her male victim can be seen as supernatural in some literature
enchantress, seductress, vampire, witch, or demon
tries to achieve her purpose by using feminine wiles such as beauty, charm, and sexual allure
common traits of the femme fatale includes promiscuity and the "rejection of motherhood,"
Examples:
Catwoman and Poison Ivy
Alex from Orange is the New Black
Catherine from Basic Instinct
Noble Savage
stock character who symbolizes humanity's innate goodness
an "other" who has not been "corrupted" by the moral failings of modern civilization
romanticized stereotype of indigenous peoples as simple-minded with a connection to nature
life of the noble savage is:
desirable because of its simplicity
pitiable for its backwardness
Examples:
Na’vi people from Avatar
Adam and Eve