Different character roles, types, and archetypes and their definitions, to help you better round out your books.
CHARACTER ROLES
- Protagonist: The main character of the story.
- Antagonist: The villain of the story.
- Love Interest: The protagonist's love interest.
- Confidant: Usually the best friend or sidekick of the protagonist.
- Deuteragonist: Close to the main character but whose plot does not directly correspond with the main one.
- Tertiary Character: Populate the world of the book but do not necessarily link to the main plot line.
- Foil: The opposite of the protagonist but not the main antagonist.
CHARACTER TYPES
- Dynamic Character: One who changes over the course of the story.
- Round Character: A major character who shows fluidity and the capacity for change from the moment we meet them.
- Static Character: One who does not noticeably change over the course of the story.
- Stock Character: One with a fixed set of personality traits.
- Symbolic Character: Represents a concept or theme larger than themselves.
CHARACTER ARCHETYPES
- The Lover: The romantic lead who is guided by the heart.
- The Hero: The protagonist who rises to meet a challenge and saves the day.
- The Magician: A powerful figure who has harnessed the ways of the universe to achieve their goals.
- The Outlaw: The rebel who won't abide by society's demands.
- The Explorer: A character naturally driven to push boundaries and find what's next.
- The Sage: A wise figure with knowledge for those who inquire.
- The Innocent: A morally pure character, often a child, whose only intentions are good.
- The Creator: A motivated visionary who creates art or structures during the narrative.
- The Ruler: A character with legal or emotional power over others.
- The Caregiver: A character who continually supports others and makes sacrifices on their behalf.
- The Everyman: A relatable character who feels recognizable from daily life.
- The Jester: An intentionally funny character who provides comedic relief but may also speak important truths.