A character archetype is a pattern or model of thinking about how a acts. We all know the figure of the hero, the friend or the teacher, for example. These are archetypes: a way of classifying each character according to the role they play within the story.
What is a character archetype?
A character archetype refers to the role that the plays within the story. Whether he or she acts as a hero, a traitorous friend, a teacher, or a facilitator… It doesn’t specify an age, race, or gender; it simply states what that character will do within the story and why it will be important.
The characteristics of an archetype are in our collective subconscious and are universal. Based on this, the writer can ‘shape’ the personality of each character, give them their own motivation and character, and make the reader identify with them.
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What are the 12 character archetypes?
We can differentiate between 12 different character archetypes. These are:
The Innocent
The innocent character is one who shows happiness and confidence without reservation. His intentions are always good and he is often labeled as naive because of his excessive kindness: he sees others as a reflection of himself, so he believes that everyone is as good as he is. An example of the innocent archetype is Snow White.
The friend
This is one of the most recognizable and present in most stories. As the name suggests, it is the friend of the protagonist: he is looking for his place in the world and a group to fit in with. These characters usually have a clever sense of humor and help give perspective to the hero or anyone else they accompany. An example is Xander from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
The hero
This is the most recognizable archetype and is usually the protagonist of the stories. It is embodied by strong, determined characters with a great sense of justice and courage. They usually have a mission or objective that they do not abandon despite adversity and they have companions who support and help them. An example of a hero archetype is Captain Marvel.
The ruler
The ruler is obsessed with control and has a highly developed moral conscience (more than normal). They are characters with a natural leadership ability and a natural search for power. Although it may seem so, they are not always evil, even though their personality often makes them impose themselves on the goals of others. Tywin Lannister, from Game of Thrones, is an example of the ruler archetype.
The wise man
This character has great intelligence and understanding of the environment. Their goal is to advise and guide those who follow them on the right path and they are often found in teaching scenarios. They are characters who value the truth and have a natural curiosity. They are usually the ones with powerful and meaningful phrases. For example, in Spiderman, it is Uncle Ben who says the iconic phrase: “With great power comes great responsibility.”
The magician
The magician uses his knowledge of the universe to offer a new perspective to those around him. He knows exactly how the phenomena around him work and has the ability to transform the motivations of the characters thanks to his great persuasive power. Does anyone come to mind? Sherlock Holmes would be an example of the magician archetype.
The creator
These characters are artists, inventors, and experts at bringing something to life that didn’t exist before. They have very active roles within the story and tend to get annoyed by passivity and boredom. They are very talented, creative characters with an imagination that pushes them to transcend through their creations. An example of the creator archetype is Rick, from Rick & Morty.
The Caretaker
The caregiver is characterized by being compassionate and empathetic. They always focus on achieving the well-being of others, even above their own. They are generous and dedicated and are often represented as a self-sacrificing mother (although, fortunately, gender roles are changing even with this). An example of the caregiver is Matt Murdock, from the Marvel Universe.
The rebel
Revolutionaries by nature, characters who form part of the rebel archetype search for a sense of justice and attempt to change a reality that they believe is wrong. They have a great ability to motivate and urge others to join their cause and are constantly in search of freedom. An example of the rebel archetype is Katniss Everdeen, from The Hunger Games.
The lover
The Lover’s goal is to find harmony among his peers. These characters are characterized by being peaceful and avoiding conflict at all costs. They seek the acceptance of others and their complacency, even if this may imply that they may give up their individualism. An example of this is Arnold, from Hey Arnold!
The joker
The Joker is the most cheerful archetype, having a jovial and sincere nature and constantly seeking to make others happy. Often, these characters hide a dark side and their use of humor is motivated by their interest in hiding negative aspects of their past or true emotions. The most iconic example of a joker is Chandler Bing from Friends.
The explorer
Finally, we find the explorer archetype. This person has a constant desire to discover new places, ideas, and emotions. They are characterized by being independent, globetrotting, and hating sedentary lifestyles and monotony. An example of an explorer is Tommy Pickles, from Rugrats.
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