What Is Character Archetype

These individuals serve as teachers or counselors to the initiates. Sometimes they work as role models and often serve as father or mother figures.

• Sidekick

• Mentor

• Hero

• Ruler

Announces the challenge that begins the hero on his or her journey, and provides a warning to help assist the hero along the way.

• Mentor

• Sidekick

• Earth Mother

• Herald

Faithful, loyal, supportive, funnier than protagonist; will do anything to protect the hero

• Trickster

• Innocent

• Sidekick

• Shapeshifter

Traditionally the protagonist of a story; Often his past is a mystery; He is the champion, king, leader or savior of many; Endures pain and sorrow that all lead to a greater good

• Warrior

• Initiate

• Scapegoat

• Hero

Provide obstacles the hero must pass in order to complete his or her adventure; can be good or bad; ensure hero is worthy through testing him

• Threshold Guardian

• Trickster

• Herald

• Ruler

Brings uncertainty and tension to the story; his loyalty is always in question; can change from good to bad OR from bad to good.

• Villain

• Shapeshifter

• Friendly beast

• Trickster

Comes up with diabolical plans to somehow cause harm or ruin

• Creature of Nightmare

• Shapeshifter

• Devil Figure

• Villain

Serves to disrupt; provides comic relief; promotes chaos

• Trickster

• Sidekick

• Innocent

• Shapeshifter

Purpose is to remind us of our youth and pure hearts; typically children or younger women; never become jaded by tragedy of the story; only see the good in people.

• Hero

• Sidekick

• Innocent

• Damsel in Distress

Animal companion who helps guide the hero to where he/she is going. It assists or saves the hero and only loyal to the hero.

• Sidekick

• Threshold Guardian

• Friendly Beast

• Creature of Nightmare