Archetypal characters in literature fulfill a specific role to aid in the progression of the story and help the audience understand what is going by tapping into their prior experience with characters who exhibit similar attributes and fill similar functions within a story.
Some examples of character archetypes in modern film...
Common character archetypes:
The Hero
The Hero is a protagonist whose life is a series of wellmarked
adventures. The circumstances of his birth are
unusual, and he is raised by a guardian. He will have to
leave his kingdom, only to return to it upon reaching
manhood. Characterized by courage, strength, and
honor, the hero will endure hardship, even risk his life
for the good of all. Leaves the familiar to enter an
unfamiliar and challenging world.
Young Man from the
Provinces
The Hero returns to his home and heritage where he is
a stranger who can see new problems and new
solutions
The Initiates
The Initiates are young heroes or heroines who must go
through some training and ceremony before
undertaking their quest.
Mentor
The Mentor is an older, wiser teacher to the initiates.
He often serves as a father or mother figure. He gives
the hero gifts (weapons, food, magic, information),
serves as a role model or as hero’s conscience.
Mentor - Pupil
Relationship
In this relationship, the Mentor teaches the Hero/pupil
the necessary skills for surviving the quest.
The Threshold
Guardian
Tests the hero’s courage and worthiness to begin the
journey
Father - Son Conflict
In this relationship, the tension is built due to
separation from childhood or some other source when
the two meet as men.
Hunting Group of
Companions
These are loyal companions willing to face hardship
and ordeal in order to stay together.
Loyal Retainers The Retainer's duty is to reflect the nobility and power
of the hero.
Friendly Beast An animal companion showing that nature is on the
side of the hero
The Shadow
A worthy opponent with whom the hero must struggle
in a fight to the end. Must be destroyed or neutralized.
Psychologically can represent the darker side of the
hero’s own psyche.
The Devil Figure
This character is evil incarnate.
The Evil Figure with
Ultimately Good Heart
A devil figure with the potential to be good. This
person is usually saved by the love of the hero.
he
Creature of
Nightmare
A monster usually summoned from the deepest, darkest
part of the human psyche to threaten the lives of the
hero/heroine. Often it is a perversion or desecration of
the human body.
The Scapegoat
An animal, or more usually a human, whose death in a
public ceremony expiates some taint or sin of a
community. They are often more powerful in death
than in life.
The Outcast
A character banished from a social group for some real
or imagined crime against his fellow man, usually
destined to wander form place to place.
The Platonic Ideal
A woman who is a source of inspiration to the hero,
who has an intellectual rather than physical attraction
to her
Damsel in Distress
A vulnerable woman who needs to be rescued by the
hero. She is often used as a trap to ensnare the
unsuspecting hero.
The Earth Mother
Symbolic of fruition, abundance, and fertility, this
character traditionally offers spiritual and emotional
nourishment to those with whom she comes in contact.
Often depicted in earth colors.
The Temptress or Black
Goddess
Characterized by sensuous beauty, this woman is one to
whom the protagonist is physically attracted and who
ultimately brings about his downfall. May appear as a
witch or vampire
White Goddess
Good, beautiful maiden, usually blond, may make an
ideal marriage partner; often has religious or
intellectual overtones.
Star-Crossed Lovers
Two characters engaged in a love affair fated to end
tragically for one or both due to the disapproval of
society, friends, family, or some tragic situation.
