Next time you watch a Netflix series or read a novel, try identifying the different types of characters in the story. This character develops itself and rather becomes complex as the story progresses as he or she doesnt stick to the limited qualities. The character in whom the protagonist trusts the most is often a best friend, a love interest, or a mentor. Nick began as realistic, practical, and ethical against Gatsby's flashy, flighty, and dishonest ways. She doesn't see that Claudius used her to seize the throne. Affect is usually a verb that means to create a change in something, while effect is usually a noun that describes a change that is caused by something. The protagonist often raises from nothing or comes out as a strong person after being a victim of a destructive event. However, that's not a hard and fast rule. Most writers have an inherent understanding of how to categorize their characters based on classic, comic book-style labels: heroes, villains, sidekicks, etc. However, he's more than that. The trick to using this type is to not just rely on their archetypal features. As with your main character, a too perfect love interest will fall flat and come off unrealistic. Whenever we read a novel, short story, poem, or academic essay, we're looking at a form of narration. Interestingly, the antagonist doesn't have to be another person. A deuteragonist might be the MCs confidante. Or, maybe you'll despise everything about the antagonist because he reminds you of your ungracious and demeaning brother. They may act inconsistently, rather than follow a smooth arc. You dont want to overuse them, but they can really help round out your cast and make readers feel at home in your story. But most often, the sidekick is a friend who supports the protagonist, offering advice, adding depth to the story. Without further ado, lets dive into the various types of characters listed here. If writing an assignment seems to you like a ball and chain, you can choose any of these writing services to make it easier and faster! Become a member today to discover how we can help you publish a beautiful book. Simply put, no protagonist = no plot. Often, this is the person that stands in the way of - antagonizes - whatever the main character is trying to achieve. Many stories have more than one protagonist or hero who help each other and plays equal roles until the end. Given their ability to dip in and out of deviant behavior, they can be exciting characters. (Even Indiana Jones was afraid of snakes.). Typically, we imagine our main characters to be admirable. The protagonist shares their thoughts and emotions with this person, even when theyre reluctant to share with anyone else. But the foil isnt usually the antagonist. For example, a dynamic figurecreates a compelling arc for readers to follow, and a symbolic one represents some underlying theme or moral. Well, all Gatsby wanted was Daisy. This type of character acts subtly and changes in the face of conflict. who is a part of a story but practically is not in the story. Sure, she was there for all the dramatic moments, a foil to Daisy, but she remained unchanged. Be careful not to make the villain bad just because hes the bad guy. It is even expected by the readers as they see realistic characters like those around in the real world more connecting with normal human-like characteristics. (*I use the pronoun he inclusively to represent both genders, male and female.*). Horatio from Hamletis what type of figure? In this novel, F. Scott Fitzgerald made Nick the narrator, even though Gatsby was the protagonist. If they come out the other side, they've typically grown or evolved in some way. Picking up a book is a great way to meet new people. All these facets make him a very round character. Symbolism is used to represent important ideas in fiction. There are nine types of characters generally found in fiction (and movies too). It often plays a counterpart of the hero character and serves to add a dramatic effect to the story. However, a well-rounded story still requires a few tertiaries. Perfect is boring. Privacy Policy. Unlike other characters, the characters of this type are of no much value in a story. Some switch back and forth, hindering him. He's also loyal to the main character, Theodore. Thank you! Thank you so much. This type of character in whom the main character can trust on and it ultimately helps develop his heroic characteristics. Take this free assessment now and learn to unlock your true potential: Wait! Sometimes the MC and their foil clash at first, but eventually see past their differences to become friends or even more. It appears in the story from the start to end. This is hella good, thanks Reedsy! Find the perfect editor for yournextbook. You can't tell whether they love or hate them. He was a nice, hard-working boy who just wanted to secure a role on Wall Street. Busy at work, have a lot on your plate, in addition, your research paper is due? Static examples: Mr Collins, Miss Havisham, Harry and Zinnia Wormwood (Matildas parents), Sherlock Holmes (a rare static protagonist), Karen Smith. Regardless of the intensity or the length of their role, they have a place in the story. They are radical and outrageous and bring revolution to overturn the system that is not working. Learn more with these classic examples of symbolism in literature! This makes him the guy Gatsby had to face off against. Feel free to steal these ideas! There are some characters like Hermione, Remus Lupin, Hagrid, Ron, Albus Dumbledore and others who played a confidante role Harry Potter series and helped to bring the strong characteristics of Harry Potter as a hero. To help you develop your own round characters, check out our Examples of Personality Traits. For example, if the protagonist is loyal, brave, and morally sound, each of those qualities will be augmented every time we read more about the foil character who's disloyal, cowardly, and selfish. a negative person or a situation is essential for the rise of a hero. Rendered well, the love interest reveals the main characters strengths and vulnerabilities. A great example of such a character is Lord Voldemort, the main antagonist character in the Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling, who killed Harry Potters parents. Note that an antagonist doesnt always need to be a person or a group of people working to ensure the misery of the protagonist. Stock characters arent necessarily flat either, though you do have to be careful with them. This is someone with a complex personality. A dynamic character is one who evolves or changes significantly over time. Opposite to the flat character, a dynamic character plays a role that develops and changes during the events in the story. In The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, you'll meet a round character in Boris. Another characteristic of the person with this type of character is that he or she seems more realistic by becoming inconsistent in his or her role throughout the story. A flat character is the opposite of the round character. Deuteragonist examples: Ron and Hermione, Samwise Gamgee, Jane Bennet, Dr. Watson, Mercutio. This word has its origin in the word archein in the ancient Greek literature and it means original. Most of the action centers around them, and theyre the one were meant to care about the most. Great stories have exciting twists, relatable characters, vivid descriptions, and lasting effects. Copyright 2010 - 2019A Research Guide. (Think about the protagonists inWhen Harry Met Sally: first theyre foils, then friends, then finally lovers.). Character role refers to the part that one plays in the story. They dont develop and cant get a special attention in the story, yet they can be easily identified. But these are not all types you should be knowing. We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. A round character is very similar to a dynamic one, in that they both typically change throughout their character arc. They can be a good friend, spouse or a team member. Page-turning novels feature believable characters with human flaws, people who grow heroic in the end. This character may change positively or negatively depending on the need of the story. Other instances include the seductive femme fatale such as Poison Ivy, or the buttoned-up school teacher like Professor McGonagall. It can be anything from a supporter of the main character to a partner of the antagonist and may change its direction from positive to negative or negative to positive. Character quality has to do with what kind of character someone is. Click here to download my character worksheet. The knowledge and intelligence they possess enable them to see the world analytically to know the truth to be free. When you think of a flat character, you'll immediately perceive one characteristic and that will, essentially, define who they are. It also helps a protagonist see the problems in a different way by bringing out another side of him. So be careful not to make clichs of them. Some of these roles can overlap. Her appearance is like that of a typical teacher with a conventional style of talking and has stereotypical manners. Diana from A Research Guide Don't know how to start your paper? Join a community of over 1 millionauthors. The next time you pick up a novel, see how many you can spot. All rights reserved. AWESOME!now i actually know what im doing when i plan my stories! 1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy, come meetthem. So how do you conjure up characters like that? If you're writing in the first person and choosing to tell your story through a narrator, that will typically become your protagonist. Take Albus Dumbledore: he might seem like a pretty stock mentor in his wizened appearance and sage manner. This means all other roles stem from their relationship to the protagonist. The creator:These characters are imaginative and believe in creativity. The protagonist is likely a pretty familiar concept for most of us: this is the main character, the big cheese, the star of the show. We must also choose how to convey the topic to the reader. Choosing a topic isn't enough. Confidant examples: Horatio, Friar Laurence, Alfred Pennyworth, Mrs Lovett, Jacob Black, Dumbledore, Hannibal Lecter. There are 9 types of characters in the literature and all of them are important. This character generally has ordinary but solid virtues that keep him or her down to earth and gives a common and familiar touch. This is the villain, the character who opposes and undermines your protagonist. The sage:This type of character looks for the ways to find the truth and attain the ultimate place. The caregiver:As the term suggests, this type of character is caring and helps others. This label is often reserved for the main character, given the conflict they're trying to overcome. In a moment, we'll work through three types of narration: first person, second person, and third person. This ones pretty self-explanatory: a dynamic character is one who changes over the course of story. youre going to need certain types of characters, 12 characters featured in almost all stories #writingtips, so its not just about the heros journey. But, he couldn't have her because she was married to Tom Buchanan. 2022 LoveToKnow Media. This type of character is the life of a plot along with the main character and keeps readers interested by posing the questions and making them curious about what will happen next. Theyre often seen in the company of the protagonist giving advice, plotting against their rivals, and generally lending a helping hand. First, it pays to understand the basic types of characters that exist in a story and the roles they play. These characters may be overtly kind or inanely cruel - and it shows. They just come and go and are generally not recognized by the readers. ), Tertiary examples:Mr. Poe in A Series of Unfortunate Events,Radagast in the movie version of The Hobbit, Padma and Parvati Patil in Harry Potter,Calo and Fabrizio in The Godfather,Madame Stahl in Anna Karenina. Good, bad, or otherwise, most main characters will be faced with an antagonist, or villain. However, the confidant can still be one of the most profound relationships the protagonist has in a novel. Resist the temptation to create a perfect lead character. They contribute to the world and make other peoples life easier by developing useful things with their talent and skills. (Any fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope up in here?). (We certainly couldnt blame you. The innocent:This type of person tries to be happy by being non-harmful to others and expecting the same from them. This love interest is typically a deuteragonist, but not exclusively (hence why this separate category). They see themselves as justified. Thanks for the article- very insightful and well written. One of the static character examplesis Mr. Filch in the Harry Potter Series. Rather, he exposes things about your protagonist you want more sharply focused, while the antagonist is his enemy. They say it takes all kinds to make the world go round and the same is true of stories. But were getting ahead of ourselves. Needless to say, the vast majority of great protagonists are not only dynamic, but also round. He acts as a powerful enemy and creates grave situations for the main and other characters throughout the series. This is a really great discussion of character types! Some of the great examples of the characters of this type are Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasley in the Harry Potter series. Youll see how as we discuss them below! The main villain in the Harry Potter series, i.e. I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary. It can be something the protagonist is facing internally, like addiction, anxiety, depression, or loneliness. Sign up to make the most of YourDictionary. Find out here. These static figures tend to be unlikable, such as Cinderellas stepsisters and Harry Potters aunt and uncle their ignorance to how theyre mistreating our hero makes them people we love to hate, and boosts our sympathy for the protagonist. The explorer:This character always seeks to go beyond the limits and explore the unexplored area of nature, life, and the world. The protagonist of your story should always be dynamic, and most of the deuteragonists should be as well. As mentioned, F. Scott Fitzgerald did something interesting with his creation of the narrator, Nick Carraway. Throughout the story, we will watch him or her (or them) face conflict that must be resolved and make key decisions that move the story forward. It might be the main plot, a subplot, or just a blip on the narrative radar but no matter how it features, there has to be some sort of love interest involved. These are background characters who come and go, but they often lend meaning to the story. Enter your email or get started with a social account: A humanitarian crisis is unfolding, we must come together to help Ukrainians in the face of tyranny and violence. Though these two often have an antagonistic relationship, the foil is not usually the primary antagonist. Tom is a "rough and gruff" kind of guy while Gatsby is more sensitive and quiet. Each serves its own purpose. Protagonist examples: Harry Potter, Frodo Baggins, Katniss Everdeen, John McClane, Dorothy Gale, Hercule Poirot, Indiana Jones, Walter White (who is actually an anti-hero, as opposed to the traditional hero). This makes the other characters important too because, through each interaction, we learn more and more about the main character. This isnt always the case especially if the protagonist is an anti-hero who lacks typical heroic attributes, or the antagonist is an anti-villain whohas noble characteristics. what we called that character? However, the confidant might also be someone the MC turns to, not because they want to, but because they feel they have no other choice (as in the last example on this list). He drives the plot, pursues the goal, changes and grows as your story progresses. Round examples: Amy Dunne, Atticus Finch, Humbert Humbert, Randle McMurphy, Michael Corleone. These expected traits make them more of a flat character than a round character as these characters are often one-dimensional and don't develop. By continuing well assume youre on board with our cookie policy. Or the antagonist might eventually become the protagonists love interest! They often evolve to become better or wiser, but sometimes they can devolve as well many villains are made through a shift from good to evil, like Anakin Skywalker and Harvey Dent. Daisy's friend Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby could be considered a static character. The magician:This type of character aims to understand the fundamental universal laws and tries to convert dreams into reality. Beyond that, Tom was particularly unlikeable because he was cheating on Daisy, but wouldn't let her be with the love of her life - Gatsby. Basically, these types define how characters interact and affect one another. Antagonists usually play just as important a role in a story as their protagonistic counterparts, but they may not be seen as much. These may also overlap, though less so than the roles. It is the one who fights with the situations and antagonist characters (we will be discussing this type next) and takes the story to the happy (or unhappy) ending. The jester:This type of character believes in enjoying life to the fullest as according to him or her, the life is short and the only chance to make the surroundings happy and joyful. They're neither overtly kind nor innately cruel. To help you with this, we have discussed all these characters in detail. You can call this character a main or major character or also a dynamic character due to the changes and development in the personality. Characters like Jack and Lestat are antiheroes. Youll likely need Central Casting-type characters for specific, limited purposes. Apart from the basic types, there are confidante character, foil character, round character, stock character, and a Villain. This label is often reserved for peripheral characters. How do they overlap? This is the character whos not exactly in the spotlight, but pretty close to it. Antagonist examples: Sauron, Voldemort, The White Witch, Count Olaf, Maleficent, Iago, Regina George. Like the villain, this is an opposite of the protagonist, highlighting his strengths. And as they color outside the lines, they, too, will have to face some type of conflict. The foils precise relationship to the protagonist depends on the differences between them. This type of characters sometimes fits in the flat character definitionthat comes in during any stereotypical situations as part of the society in the plot. Neville Longbottom is the best example of a dynamic character who converts himself from a simple student of the school to a leader of the students and leads the students in a fight against the evil character Lord Voldemort. The antagonist might be their foil. The antihero can also be the main character in a story. In fact, most of the characters, especially Claudius and Polonius, use her as a pawn and she is completely unaware.