Following on from the previous post about Archetypes, we’ve got even more to study!
How you can use character archetypes effectively.
- Identify core traits and motivations – Analyse each character’s defining traits and motives, aligning them with an archetype. Focus on consistency to ensure your characters remain true to their roles throughout the story.
- Avoid cliches – While archetypes are universal patterns, overusing them can lead to two-dimensional characters. Subvert expectations by combining multiple archetypes or adding unique quirks and backstories that deviate from typical character types in your genre.
- Develop depth – Use archetypes as a starting point for character development rather than an end goal. Explore each character’s history, desires, fears, and flaws to create complexity and nuance within their roles.
- Enrich your narrative – Utilise archetypal characters to bring different perspectives and experiences into your storytelling. This can help you explore themes from various angles and add layers of meaning to your work.
- Create dynamic relationships – Pairing contrasting or complementary archetypes in a relationship can lead to compelling character interactions, driving the plot forward and revealing more about each character’s motivations and desires.
- Reflect on real-life experiences – Draw from personal experience when developing your characters, making them relatable and authentic within their respective roles. This will help readers connect with your story on a deeper level.
- Edit and revise – As you write, revisit your character archetypes to ensure they remain consistent throughout the narrative. Make adjustments as needed to keep your cast engaging and dynamic.
9 Further archetypes
1. The Sidekick or Helper archetype
The Sidekick or Helper archetype is a character who supports and assists your main protagonist in their journey. They can be loyal companions, offering encouragement, comic relief, and complementing the hero’s strengths and weaknesses. Think of characters like Ron Weasley from Harry Potter, Chewbacca from Star Wars, or Samwise Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings. Sidekicks often provide valuable insights, offer support during difficult times, and can even help shape the protagonist’s character development throughout the story. They are essential to the hero’s journey as they often play a crucial role in overcoming obstacles or providing unique perspectives that match the reader’s viewpoint more closely than the protagonist themselves.
2. The Love Interest archetype
The Love Interest archetype is a character who plays a significant role in the protagonist’s life, often as a romantic partner or potential love interest. They can add depth to the story by providing emotional support and driving the plot forward through shared goals and conflicts. The Love Interest should be multidimensional, with their own strengths, weaknesses, desires, and motivations that complement those of the protagonist.
In many stories, the Love Interest serves as a mirror for the protagonist’s emotions, providing opportunities to reveal character traits and inner turmoils through interactions and dialogue. They can also create additional conflict by challenging the protagonist’s beliefs or actions, raising stakes, and offering new perspectives on the story’s central issues.
A well-crafted Love Interest should feel authentic and organic within the narrative, not just a device to fulfil the romantic desires of either the protagonist or the writer. They can help humanise the main character by showing vulnerability, providing emotional support during difficult times, and offering unique insights that resonate with readers.
In summary, the Love Interest archetype adds depth and complexity to the story while revealing aspects of the protagonist’s personality through their interactions and shared experiences. They should be a multidimensional character who complements the main character’s growth and development throughout the narrative.
3. The Anti-Hero or Trickster archetype
The Anti-Hero is a character who challenges the traditional hero mould. They might be brooding or cynical, with a dark past that influences their actions. They often have a unique perspective on life and can be quite complex. Readers are drawn to them because they’re not your typical ‘good guy.’ To write an Anti-Hero well, let them grow and develop over the story – give them a character arc while still keeping what readers love about them (like their wit or outspoken nature). Be careful not to make them too good by the end; you want to keep that anti-hero vibe.
The Trickster is another fascinating archetype, often seen as comic relief in stories. They’re mischievous and unpredictable, challenging conventions and questioning authority. Characters like Robin Hood or Loki from Norse mythology and Marvel comics are examples of tricksters. Incorporating the Trickster into your story can help manage pacing by adding moments of comedy to relieve tension built up during more serious scenes.
Both archetypes add depth and complexity to a narrative, making them engaging for readers. They also interact with other characters in unique ways that reveal their own development and internal conflicts. The Anti-Hero might struggle with their darker side or the consequences of their actions, while the Trickster could challenge societal norms or provide comic relief during tense moments.
In summary, both archetypes are essential tools for writers to create dynamic characters that readers will love. They offer different perspectives and experiences within a story, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.
4. The Villain or Antagonist archetype
The Villain or Antagonist archetype is a crucial character in any story. They provide conflict, tension, and challenge for the protagonist. Unlike other archetypes that may have consistent traits, villains can be quite different depending on the hero they’re opposite to. Essentially, a villain is the shadow version of your main character – their opposite in some way.
Villains can come in many forms: They could be powerful rulers like Sauron from The Lord of The Rings, manipulative masterminds like Moriarty from Sherlock Holmes, or even misunderstood anti-heroes like Tony Soprano from The Sopranos.
One key thing about villains is that they embody evil and opposition. They create conflicts and obstacles for the hero to overcome, which adds depth and tension to the story. This conflict can be physical (like a fight scene) or psychological (a battle of wits). The best villains are those who make readers question their motives – are they truly evil, or just misguided?
Villains also have strengths and flaws like any other character archetype. Their strengths might include cunning, manipulation, power, etc., while their flaws could be arrogance, underestimating the hero, or being blinded by revenge. These weaknesses provide opportunities for the protagonist to triumph over them.
In summary, villains are essential in creating a compelling story because they challenge and push your main character to grow and develop. They add depth, tension, and conflict that keeps readers engaged until the end of the tale.
5. The Ruler or Leader archetype
The Ruler or Leader archetype is all about power and authority. They are driven by the pursuit of control, whether it’s over a nation, an organisation, or even just their immediate surroundings. Their strengths lie in leadership skills, strategic thinking, and access to resources. However, they can also be prone to suspicion and fear others trying to take their position. This often makes them appear aloof and disliked by those around them. Think of characters like King Lear from Shakespeare’s play of the same name or Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada. While the Ruler/Leader archetype is often an antagonist, there are plenty of opportunities to subvert this role and create an anti-hero type who challenges traditional power structures.
6. The Everyman or Everywoman archetype
The Everyman or Everywoman archetype is a character who represents the average person, someone down-to-earth and easy to relate to. They’re often portrayed as normal individuals trying to navigate life’s challenges in an ordinary way. Their main strength comes from their ability to integrate into various situations and environments due to their relatable nature. However, they may struggle with a lack of special skills or unique talents that could prove useful in difficult circumstances. The Everyman/Everywoman can be seen as the ‘Person Next Door’, ‘Citizen’ or ‘Regular’. Examples include Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit, Arthur Dent from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and Philip J. Fry from Futurama.
7. The Martyr or Self-Sacrificer archetype
The Martyr or Self-Sacrificer archetype is a character who embodies selflessness and sacrifice. They are driven by the desire to help others, often at their own expense. These characters believe that putting themselves last is essential for the greater good of those around them.
Essentially, they’re individuals who have made a deep-rooted commitment to serving or protecting others, even if it means neglecting their personal needs and desires. They may be seen as selfless heroes in some situations but can also become doormats when taken too far. Their strength lies in their unwavering dedication to the well-being of others, while their weakness could stem from an inability to prioritise themselves or a tendency to take on more than they should.
In stories, these characters often find themselves in situations where they must choose between saving themselves and saving someone else. Their internal struggle between self-preservation and selflessness can make for compelling storytelling moments. Examples of this archetype include Mother Teresa or Jean Valjean from Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables.
However, like all character archetypes, the Martyr/Self-Sacrificer can be subverted to create unique and complex characters. They might not always make the selfless choice, they could struggle with their own desires or needs, or even learn that sometimes putting themselves first is necessary for everyone’s well-being in the long run. These nuances add depth to a character who would otherwise seem one-dimensional.
8. The Victim or Persecuted One archetype
The Victim/Persecuted One archetype is a character who often finds themselves in situations where they feel mistreated or unfairly targeted. They might be constantly facing challenges and obstacles that seem insurmountable, making them appear weak or helpless to others. However, this doesn’t mean they don’t have strengths – their resilience and ability to endure hardship can be quite impressive.
Their weaknesses could stem from a lack of self-confidence or an inability to stand up for themselves due to fear or past traumas. They might also struggle with trusting others, as they’ve likely been hurt before. These characters often find solace in empathetic figures who can help them heal and grow stronger.
In stories, the Victim/Persecuted One archetype can serve as a catalyst for change or growth in other characters. They might inspire sympathy from readers, making their journey all the more compelling. Examples of this archetype include Anne Frank from The Diary of a Young Girl and Elizabeth Bennet’s sister Jane in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
As with any character archetype, there is room for subversion. The Victim/Persecuted One might not always be the helpless figure they appear to be; they could learn to stand up for themselves or even become a powerful force against their oppressors. These nuances add depth and complexity to what can otherwise seem like a one-dimensional character type.
9. The Guardian of the Innocent archetype
The Guardian of the Innocent archetype is a character who fiercely protects and nurtures those who are vulnerable or innocent. They’re often portrayed as caring, selfless individuals with strong moral compasses. These characters usually have a deep sense of responsibility towards others, especially children, and will go to great lengths to keep them safe from harm.
In many stories, the Guardian of the Innocent serves as a mentor or guide for younger, less experienced characters. They offer wisdom, guidance, and support when needed, helping these characters grow and develop throughout their journey. These guardians can be found in various roles such as parents, teachers, caretakers, or even magical beings like fairy godmothers.
The strength of the Guardian of the Innocent lies in their unwavering dedication to protecting those who cannot protect themselves. However, this archetype may also have weaknesses, such as being overly protective or too trusting, which can sometimes lead them into dangerous situations.
Examples of this archetype include Mr. Miyagi from The Karate Kid, Dumbledore from the Harry Potter series, and Mary Poppins in her eponymous films. These characters embody the essence of The Guardian of the Innocent by providing guidance, support, and protection to their young charges while teaching them valuable life lessons along the way.
5 Common mistakes to avoid
Whilst using character archetypes can be a powerful tool in crafting compelling stories make sure to avoid these common pitfalls!
- Over-reliance on stereotypes: While archetypes can be incredibly useful for quickly establishing a character’s traits or motivations, it’s easy to fall into the trap of making your characters too predictable. Avoid turning your characters into caricatures by adding layers and nuances that deviate from their archetype.
- Ignoring character development: Archetypes can serve as a starting point for your characters, but they shouldn’t be set in stone. Make sure to allow your characters room to grow, change, and surprise both themselves and the reader throughout the story.
- Forgetting about individuality: Just because a character fits an archetype doesn’t mean they should all share similar traits or backstories. Each character should have their own unique voice, personality, and history that sets them apart from others who might fit the same mould.
- Overusing archetypes: While it can be tempting to populate your story with a variety of familiar types, overdoing it can make your world feel unrealistic or contrived. Stick to using archetypes when they serve a purpose in driving the plot forward or adding depth to your narrative.
- Forgetting about context: Different genres and settings call for different character archetypes that fit naturally within their respective worlds. Make sure you’re choosing the right archetype for your story, rather than forcing an ill-fitting type into a setting where it doesn’t belong.
5 Key takeaways
- Understanding archetypes: Start by understanding the main character archetypes and their traits, values, and motivations. This will help you create well-rounded characters that readers can relate to or love to hate. You can find resources online to learn more about these archetypes.
- Adding depth: Use archetypes as a starting point for your character development but don’t stop there. Add depth and complexity by exploring their backstory, desires, fears, and flaws. This will make them feel real and engaging to readers.
- Creating dynamic interactions: Archetypes can interact with each other in interesting ways that reveal their traits and motivations. Use these interactions to create tension, conflict, and growth within your story.
- Subverting expectations: Don’t be afraid to subvert common archetypes or cliches by adding unexpected twists to their characterisation. This can make your characters feel fresh and unique while still drawing on the power of universally recognised traits.
- Balancing archetypes: Be mindful not to overuse a single archetype in your story, as this could lead to one-dimensional or predictable characters. Instead, aim for a diverse cast with different archetypal roles that complement and contrast each other, making the story more compelling and engaging.
Remember, while using character archetypes can be helpful, they should not limit your creativity. Always strive to create unique and memorable characters that resonate with readers on an emotional level.