12+ Character Archetypes: Definitions and Examples
What Are Character Archetypes?
Character archetypes are figures across different mediums who possess similar traits, characteristics, and roles within a story. Chances are you have come across several character archetypes—one character that vaguely reminds you of another—without knowing it. Whether it’s because they share similar personalities, character beats, or motivation, most character archetypes are recognizable across all stories.
Why You Should Master Character Archetypes
As a writer, it is important to recognize, understand, and master key character archetypes. They help guide writers as they navigate the story they want to tell. I suggest you learn the basics of how to write these archetypes before creating more complex storylines, characters, and perspectives.
Remember, there is nothing wrong with using a recognizable character archetype. As you will see in the examples below, all popular stories use character “templates” because they are successful. You just need to know when to use them and how to incorporate it so that it uniquely fits into the world you crafted.
12 Character Archetypes Every Writer Should Know How to Use Them:
1. The Hero
The hero is the good-natured, pure hearted (usually) protagonist of the story whose motivation is to save others. They work in opposition of the villain or an antagonistic force who threatens to destroy the peace and well-being of innocent people. Heroes have a strong sense of justice and often seek to do what is right at all costs, even to the detriment of common sense. They tend to have an optimistic outlook on life. Despite their great destiny and responsibility, they are relatable and down-to-earth with common human flaws. Other variations of “The Hero” archetype include: The Chosen One, The Warrior, The Tragic Hero, etc.
How to Use: To effectively use the Hero archetype, the story must center around them going on what we call The Hero’s Journey where they grow from an unskilled, powerless, and ignorant individual to someone worthy of admiration, respect, and honor. This storyline might start by them recognizing a need for change whether it’s by duty or desire. As they work toward their goals, they are supported by a cast of characters with differing contributions and roles.
Example of characters who embody “The Hero” archetype:
- Luke Skywalker in Star Wars
- Frodo in Lord of The Rings
- Steve Rogers in Marvel Comics: Captain America
2. The Ally
The ally is the number one support, or team of supports, to the main protagonist. They offer comfort, advice, or their special expertise in times of need. They often make up for the weaknesses of your protagonist. Other Variations of the “The Ally” archetype include: The Best Friend, The Sidekick, etc.
How to Use: The Ally is mostly used to support the main protagonist. In times of conflict, they create harmony. Or in some cases, they create conflict to add tension to the story. Whatever your story is missing, “The Ally” can add it—wisdom, comedic relief, tension. I think Allies are most interesting when they have opposite traits of your protagonist, that way they add two different perspectives. If your protagonist is daring, their ally is cautious. Mature:Childish, Smart:Foolish, Serious:Comedic, Wise:Ingnorant, Bold:Meek. Make deliberate decisions about what role(s) your ally will play and the dynamic they’ll share with your hero.
Another way “The Ally” can be used is by going on their own journey of growth alongside the protagonist, creating a subplot. Adding a subplot centered around your allies is sure to make your story stronger.
Example of characters who embody “The Ally” archetype:
- Robin in DC Comics: Batman
- Sam in Lord of the Rings
- All of Team Avatar in Avatar: The Last Airbender
3. The Love Interest
The love interest is that special girl or guy who the hero pines after in a story. They’re a strong influence for the actions the hero takes in the story, whether it’s to save them, impress them, etc.
Depending on the story you are trying to tell, the development of the relationship between the hero and the love interest can be the main plot, which would be the case in the romance genre, or a subplot, meaning the relationship progresses in the background of another plotline. The audience should want your main protagonist to gain the affection of their love interest just as much as they do.
How to Use: There are many ways you can go about writing the love interest. “Unrequited love”, where the feelings are one-sided. “Push and pull”, where they enter a cycle of getting together and drifting apart. Soulmates, forbidden love, best friends to lovers, you name it. The audience should understand two things about the love interest—that your protagonist deeply cares for them and that the love interest is starting to gain interest in the protagonist. This dynamic plays out until they officially come together in the end (or maybe not, depending on what you want).
Example of characters who embody “The Lover” archetype:
- Mary Jane in Marvel Comics: Spiderman
- Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice
- Juliet in Romeo and Juliet
4. The Mentor
The mentor is an individual who acts as a guide or instructor to another character. They usually possess great knowledge and wisdom about the system and world in which your story takes place.
How to Use: Use your mentor to not only help other characters better understand the world you created, but to also help the reader understand the rules and makings of your world. The mentor should possess great wisdom and/or experience of the journey your character is about to go on. Mentors can come in many forms, from an old wise man to the ruler of a mystical land.
Example of characters who embody “The Mentor” archetype:
- Yoda in Star Wars
- Morpheus in The Matrix
- Haymitch in The Hunger Games
5. The Caretaker
The caretaker is a sensitive character who exhibits traits of selflessness, gentleness, and a general care for the wellbeing of others, usually at a detriment to themself. They have a strong desire to nurture, watch over, or shield others from harm, depending on their role. Other variations of “The Caretaker” archetype include: The Healer, The Nurturer, The Altruist, etc.
How to Use: Caretakers are often allies to the hero. They should be a clear pillar or representation of comfort and peace. They offer a sense of harmony during calamity, foresight during uncertainty, comfort in a time of mourning, and a place of refuge in times of rage. Caretakers can be used to reset everything to that peaceful feeling again.
Example of characters who embody “The Caretaker” archetype:
- Peeta in The Hunger Games
- Katara in Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Sam in Lord of the Rings
6. The Villain
The villain is the main antagonistic force in most traditional stories who works in direct opposition to the main character. This character harms or negatively affects others in pursuit of their own ambitions. Simply put, villains are evil. They represent everything in stark contrast to what the Hero represents.
How to Use: The villain is positioned as the character the hero must overthrow, overcome, or defeat. The most effective villains are those who represent everything opposite of what the hero believes in to the most extreme level. So if the hero represents freedom, the villain represents control. Pride:Humility, Justice:Criminality, Strength:Weakness, Selfish:Selfless, etc.
If you’d like, you can even create complex villains that are motivated by their past. The best villains are just as complex as the main character with a backstory and worldview of their own. More specific variations of “The Villain” archetype include: The Tyrant, The Bully, etc.
Example of characters who embody “The Villain” archetype:
- Joker in DC Comics: Batman
- Darth Vader in Star Wars
- Maleficent in Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs
7. The Tyrant
The tyrant is one of the most common and traditional types of the villain archetype. This archetype desires to exert power and control over others. They take extreme measures to exert their control, often using intimidation, manipulation, or raw strength to coerce others into obedience. Traits that tyrant characters possess include strong leadership, intimidation, and cold-heartedness.
How to Use: They should be responsible for committing inhumane acts and appear almost impossible to beat, whether it’s because of how strong they are or how much influence they carry. Their motivation doesn’t always need to be complex. They can simply want to control others and expand their influence.
Example of characters who embody “The Tyrant” archetype:
- President Snow in The Hunger Games
- Jadis the White Witch in The Chronicles of Narnia
- Fire Lord Ozai in Avatar: The Last Airbender
8. The Bully
The Bully is a character who uses their strength to target the weak. They’re often surrounded by a group of other bullies or weaker individuals who carry out their biddings. Despite the strength they exude, they sometimes hide a glaring insecurity. The hero is there to exploit that weakness and stand up to the bully.
Example of characters who embody “The Bully” archetype:
- Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter
- Regina George in Mean Girls
- Jang Deok-su (Player 101) in Squid Game
9. The Traitor
The traitor is someone who betrays the trust of those surrounding them for selfish gain. Sometimes the traitor’s relationship with the central characters was genuine, and other times it was not, depending on the story. For this reason, traitor archetypes have a wide array of labels, ranging from a manipulative mastermind to simply a sellout. They’re betrayal either comes at a complete shock to the audience or completely obvious, depending on how the author constructs the story.
How to Use: The betrayer can be usually used in two ways. 1. They betray the central characters in the beginning of the novel to set off the main conflict. 2. They shockingly betray the central characters during the climax of a story. Characters who betray the central characters during a climax make a great candidate to have a redemption arc in the future since they already developed a great relationship with the audience and characters. Usually, it’s by means of sacrifice. It’s up to the author to decide.
Example of characters who embody “The Betrayer” archetype:
- Scar in Lion King
- Judas in The Holy Bible
- Lago in Othello
10. The Anti-Hero
The anti-hero is a character who follows their own sense of justice. They use unconventional methods to achieve what they think is right. The anti-hero doesn’t follow all the rules, nor do they align themselves with those who do. Instead they choose when to work with the “good guys” and when to work against them, depending on the outcome of the situation.
Example of characters who embody “The Anti-Hero” archetype:
- Deadpool in Deadpool
- Scarlett O’Hara in Gone in the Wind
- Shrek in Shrek!
11. The Rebel
The rebel is someone who challenges the status quo. They live their lives by a different set of rules/standards than everybody else, good or bad. Their rebel nature might manifest in the way they act, talk, dress, etc.
How to Use: The rebel comes in many forms. They can be an inspiring figure leading a rebellion in a war, the leader of a group of misfits, or an outcast who nobody pays mind to. The only thing certain about the rebel is that they stand out in the world you created. If you created a world of peace and complacency, then they represent chaos and adventure. If you created a world of cruelty and selfishness, then they represent compassion and selflessness.
Example of characters who embody “The Rebel” archetype:
- Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games
- Robinhood in Robinhood
- Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird
12. The Trickster
The trickster (my favorite archetype) is a character who is mischievous and chaotic, often adding an element of surprise, intrigue, disruption, or entertainment to the storyline. They use “tricks” or tactics such as their charm and cunning knowledge to manipulate situations to bend to their favor. Other variations of “The Trickster” archetype include: The Shapeshifter, The Seducer, The Puppeteer, etc.
How to use: Tricksters are unique in that they can be used to help the protagonist or work against them, of course depending on what they’d gain from the interaction. As mentioned before, they’re an excellent way to add chaos, surprise, entertainment, or intrigue regarding what they will do next. It shouldn’t surprise you that Trickster characters are often popular among the audience if done correctly. Their charm and cleverness are magnetic not only to the characters in a story, but also the readers/movie watchers.
Example of characters who embody “The Trickster” archetype:
- Loki in Marvel Comics: Thor
- Shahrzad in 1,001 Nights
- Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland
- Joker in DC Comics: Batman
Making Your Character Unique
To make your story unique, you can combine different archetypes into one character. You can also take certain character archetypes and place them in different roles or perspectives. For example, try writing a story from the perspective of “the mentor” who oversees a troubled individual who fits “the trickster” archetype. Maybe write a story from the perspective of “the magician.” Give “the hero” a tragic backstory that destroys their optimistic view on life. As you can see, there are many ways to play on the character archetypes we know and love to make our stories stand out.
Other Notable Character Archetypes
There are thousands more character archetypes incorporated in other stories. Here’s a few more in alphabetical order:
Herald – The character who initiates the main protagonist’s “call to action.” They act as a messenger to tell the hero something needs to change or to bring attention to their great destiny.
- Examples: Morpheus in The Matrix, The White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland
Magician – Someone with supreme wisdom, power, and/or special abilities.
- Examples: Gandalf in Lord of The Rings, The Wizard in The Wizard of Oz
Mastermind – A highly intelligent and assertive character with a special talent in problem-solving creating complex plans to achieve their goals.
- Examples: Lex Luther in DC Comics: Batman, Nate Ford in Leverage
Shapeshifter – A more specific version of the Trickster. They use manipulation and/or charm to control others, often wearing a “mask” to get what they want.
There are two sides to a shapeshifter the writer must successfully communicate to the audience, 1. the mask they wear and 2. the evil and/or vulnerable side of them.
- Examples: Loki in Marvel Comics
Warrior – A hero exuding strength in both physicality and character. They are brave, strong, great leaders. They often achieve their goals through accomplished fighting ability and courage.
- Examples: Thor in Marvel Comics, Mulan in Disney’s Mulan