Character Types

Character Types

Open Ended

I like characters who are...

7 Character Types in ALL (or a lot of) stories

• Protagonist

• Antagonist

• Love Interest

• Confidant

• Deuteragonists

• Foil

• Tertiary Character

Protagonist

• MAIN CHARACTER

• The story often told through their point of view or is focused on them the majority of the time

• Should have: a logical backstory, motivation, and development throughout the story (they change)

• EX: Harry Potter, Katniss Everdeen, Spiderman, Deadpool, Greg Heffley

Antagonist

• THE VILLIAN - not an antihero

• The person in the story actively working against the protagonist

• EX: Voldemort, Darth Vader, The Joker, Count Olaf

Confidant

• A sidekick or best friend

• Shares the same goals with the protagonist

• EX: Jacob in Twilight, Robin (as in Batman and Robin), Donkey

Deuteragonists

• A character that is close to the main character, but the story plot is not directly related to their own character arc

• CAN be (but not always) a confidant (sidekick), a love interest, or an antagonist

• EX: Dr. Watson to Sherlock; Jack Sparrow to Will Turner; Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley to Harry Potter

Multiple Select

Check all that may apply - Who can be a deuteragonist character?

• Protagonist

• Love Interest

• Confidant

• Antagonist

Love Interest

• The protagonist's object of desire

• CAN BE, but not always, a Deuteragonists

• EX: Daisy in The Great Gatsby, Lois Lane, Peter Kavinsky

Tertiary Characters

• They populate the world of the story but do not necessarily link to the main storyline

• These minor characters serve any number of functions and may have varying degrees of personal dynamism

• EX: the side characters in The Simpsons (Ralph)

Foil

• Exists to bring the protagonist’s qualities into sharper relief

• This character works against the protagonist

• EX: Darco Malfoy and Harry Potter; Anna and Elsa; Mike and Sully

Fill in the Blanks

Buzz Lightyear is the

of Toy Story?

Poll

How are you feeling about this so far?

• Very very very confused

• A little confused - can you go over it again?

• I need some more examples

• I feel good! I just would like this slideshow on Schoology

• Got this memorized

Open Ended

What do you want me to go over again? What do you want more examples of?

Quick Stretch Break!

5 Types of Characters used in Fiction

• Dynamic Characters

• Round Characters

• Static Characters

• Stock Characters

• Symbolic Characters

Dynamic Characters

• A character who changes over the course of the story (as known as character development)

• Change is often caused by something happening to the character - outside forces

• EX: Tony Stark/Iron Man; Neville Longbottom; The Joker

Round Character

• A major character who we quickly know things about, such as feelings, background, motivations

• Complex - feels more like a real person

• EX: Harry Potter, Ponyboy (The Outsiders), Katniss and Peeta

• 
  

Static Character

• Does NOT change much over the course of the story

• Often villains will be static characters - doesn't have to be

• EX: Count Olaf; Olaf from Frozen; Bruce the shark from Finding Nemo

Stock Characters

• The stereotypical character

• EX: Regina George (popular mean girl), Steve Urkel (lovable nerd)

Symbolic Characters

• Represents a concept or theme larger than themselves

• Functions as a symbol

• EX: Jay Gatsby

Poll

How are you feeling?

• More confused than before

• I want more examples

• I think I'm getting the hang out this!

• I KNOW I got this

Open Ended

What do you want me to go over again? What do you want more examples of?

Multiple Choice

Shrek is a dynamic character/

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Katniss Everdeen is a static character.

• True

• False

Multiple Select

Check all that apply - What type of characters do you want your main character to be?

• Static

• Round

• Dynamic

• Stock

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-all-the-types-of-characters-in-literature#7-character-roles-in-stories