14 Character Archetypes to Help You Build a Strong Character Cast

14 Character Archetypes to Help You Build a Strong Character Cast 14 Character Archetypes to Help You Build a Strong Character Cast Using character archetypes in your book is a great way to ensure you have a diverse cast with specific roles.Because without good charactersyour readers wont find a good reason to keep readingThe character development of your story can make the biggest difference in hooking real fans for lifeand losing readers for good.Well help you discover some character archetypes you can use to ensure your readers are ensnared in the grasp of your story from start to finish.Heres a list of 14 character archetypes:The LeaderThe OutsiderThe CaregiverThe RebelThe MentorThe ProfessorThe WarriorThe HunkThe WiseThe OrphanThe HeroThe JesterThe SeducerThe BullyNOTE: If youre ready to take these archetypes to the next step and flesh them out with your very own coach, check out our VIP Fiction Selfs: The LeaderFor more clarity, here are some recognizable examples of this character archetype where you can easily identify these traits.Harry Potter in the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling Throughout the se ries, Rowling paint Harry as a leader in several ways. We first see him as less than a leader, living under the stairs but as the story progresses, his leadership shines in several ways. Firstly, he decides to forgo friendship with Draco Malfoy because, well, he doesnt believe him to be a good person. This sets the stage for even more leadership characteristics as he stands up to Snape, and ultimately takes on Voldemort in the end. His leadership continues to grow as he leads his friends and classmates through difficult times in the series.Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins The first act of leadership we see from Katniss is the very beginning of the story. She is hunting for her familyso they can eat. Its a very basic form of leadership thats necessary due to her moms state after her father passes away. We continue to see her leadership flourish as she volunteers as tribute, sets a precedent of distaste for the games, and ultimately saves both her own a nd Peetas life by the end of the first book.Tobias Kaya in The Saviors Champion by Jenna Moreci Tobias begins the book as a provider for his family. This leadership role is necessary due to his sisters disability. As the book progresses and Tobias enters the deadly tournament, allies seem to be his only means of survival. He bands together (somewhat reluctantly) with a few key competitors and soon finds himself as the voice of their group, making decisions out of instinct without even realizing the position hes in.#2 Character Archetype: The Outsider/WildcardThis character archetype serves a very distinct purpose. Oftentimes, this is a character that adds a layer of mystery and intrigue to the story.For example, this character wont be close to your main character or even other secondary characters. They often come into the story to aid or solve a specific issue, but can also be seen as untrustworthy.Character Archetype Examples:Johanna Mason in The Hunger Games trilogy Johannah M ason meets Katniss and Peeta during the opening of the 75th Hunger Games. Wild, unpredictable, and untrustworthy is our first reactions to her, solidifying her character archetype as the outsider or wildcard. Because her character is so unpredictable, were both worried and interested in what shell do next, which increases the tension when she appears on the page.Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter series Luna Lovegood is a very important character in the Harry Potter series but is often seen as an outsider not only from her own perspective but from others. We dont really know what shell do next and this adds to the intrigue of any scene shes in.#3 Character Archetype: The CaregiverThis character archetype speaks for itself. The caregiver is essentially the character who serves to take care of others.They often have qualities that are parently and can be the voice of reason when the plot thickens. This character is one others often turn to for help, reassurance, and even encouragemen t.Characters may also wonder how theyd get through what they have without this one character ensuring their safety and wellbeing.Character Archetype Examples:Louisa Clark in Me Before You The main purpose of this characters role is to be a caretaker. Her job in the story is to care for a disabled man. The characteristics she possesses in the story are directly in line with this character archetype of being a voice of reason, encouragement, and caring for others in the story.Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series While Hermiones character serves several purposes throughout the story, a major contributing factor to her narrative is the care she takes of both Ron and Harry. How many times throughout the series do the two of them even say, What would I do without you? This is a common reaction to the caretaker character archetype.#4 Character Archetype: The RebelMany main characters can fall under The Rebel character archetype because this trait often leads to interesting and in triguing conflict readers latch onto.Keep in mind, however, that this is also a great archetype to use for villains or antagonists.The qualities that make up The Rebel archetype are exactly what youd expect; the characters often go against the grain, resist rules, regulations, and orders, as well as follow their own paths.Character Archetype Examples:Fred and George from the Harry Potter series While Fred and George, twin brother of Ron Weasley in the series, are also known as The Jester character archetypes (which well cover below), theyre primarily rebels as well. The most infamous instance that showcases this is in book 5 when Delores Umbridge takes over. They drive her out with their own invented pranks, sticking it to the man in the way they know how best.Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games trilogy Katniss may not have thought herself a rebel at first, but her actions quickly showcase her natural rebel side. From threatening to eat Nightlock berries at the end of the first b ook to actually leading the rebellion as a whole, shes The Rebel through and through.#5 Character Archetype: The MentorOne of the most iconic (and sometimes clichà ©d) characters in stories is The Mentor.Im sure many examples are already popping up in your mind for this one. A classic example of this is Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series.The Mentor character archetype is someone who serves as a source of information, motivation, support, and encouragement usually for the protagonist or that group in a novel.This character is also commonly used as an exposition element in the sense that they can provide information to the protagonist that the audience also needs to know, but in a natural way that doesnt feel like infos:Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series As mentioned above Albus Dumbledore is a prime example of a mentor in this series. He guides, teaches, supports, and encourages not only Harry, but several students he grew close to throughout the series.Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games trilogy This may be unclear at first, but Haymitch is literally and figuratively The Mentor in this trilogy. His character literally mentors Katniss and Peeta in the games as his duty but later mentors them in ways unrelated to the games by offering advice and taking on their personal conflicts.#6 Character Archetype: The ProfessorThe Professor and The Mentor are very similar character archetypes. However, with The Professor the emphasis is on their role as an educator and teacher instead of just a mentor.Therefore, Dumbledore can be seen as The Professor, though another character occupies that role in this series.This character archetype is usually a teacher or educator the main character grows close to. The key defining factor is that The Professor both teaches in a formal way, but also takes an interest in aiding your characters personal life and journey. They offer guidance and help when the characters need it most and can be a gos:John Keating in Dead Poets Society In this iconic story, Professor Keating guides his students on a journey through poetryand adolescence. Not only does he teach his students poetry in a way they can understand and appreciate, hes also instrumental in developing Todd Anderson, the main character and student.Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter series This archetype is evident in Professor McGonagall as well. Her role is to be an educator and to hold students to the highest standard, pushing them and even creating conflict within the story.Mr. Bruner in The Edge of 17 Mr. Bruner is Nadines teacher and also someone she goes to for guidance in her personal life. He not only serves as her educator in school, but hes a confidant for Nadines personal problems and helps her get through them.#7 Character Archetype: The WarriorWhen you think of this character archetype, its very evident which characters fall under this category.Think of the best warriors in any movie where they appear. Those charac ters are often tough, confident, and skilled in combat. Many army officers, commanders, and persons in charge of armies will occupy this archetype.But a character doesnt need to be in a role of combat or military in order to be The Warrior. They can possess qualities of a warrior without the title.The Warrior can also be both a good or bad character.Character Archetype Examples:Gray Worm in the Game of Thrones series Chosen to lead the Unsullied under command of Daenarys Stormborn in this series because he has no fear, his character is the epitome of The Warrior. He is fierce, skilled, battles:The Adonis in The Saviors Champion by Jenna Moreci In the Sovereigns Tournament, a competition to the death to win the hand of The Savior, there are several competitors, one of which is nicknamed The Adonis. This character is very much the stereotypical hunk with no brains, and it serves a very distinct purpose in this novel. Hes a fans:Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings Series While this cha racter also serves as The Mentor, its important to note that hes a very wise, alls:Tony Stark from The Marvel comics Although Stark loses his parents at the age of 21, this plays a big role in who he is in the franchise. After they pass, he has to take over his fathers company, where he grows into the person we really know him as: Ironman. Their death also plays a pivotal plot point in storylines later as well.Harry Potter in the Harry Potter series Harrys parents died when he was a baby but they left before something so important, the series could not have been written ass:Heres a long list of The Hero character archetypes:Harry PotterKatniss EverdeenMarvel SuperheroesMatilda Wormwood in MatildaHuckleberry FinnBeowulfAtticus FinchNeville LongbottomHermione GrangerRon WeasleyThe entire Order of the PhoenixPeeta MellarkTobias Kaya#12 Character Archetype: The JesterIf your favorite character in stories is ever the goofball whos really funny, theyre likely The Jester character arche type.This type of character has a few jobs, the main one being comedic relief. They can serve as a strong literary device to cut the tension in order to give characters a relief, or to distract from something worse coming up.A couple of key identifiers of The Jester in stories is that they cut tension either with what they say or do, are the butt of every joke, or make others the butt of every joke. The Jesters job is to elicit laughs and keep the scene and mood light.Character Archetype Examples:Fred and George Weasley in the Harry Potter series Weve already talked about these rebels but theyre also very much Jesters for this series. They make jokes and even pull pranks, both of which lighten the mood of a story thats very dark.Fat Amy in Pitch Perfect The story of Pitch Perfect is made hilarious by Fat Amy, one of the main characters. She adds jokes, comedy by the way her character acts, and generally brings the story to a new level of funny.Dory in Finding Nemo Weve all laughe d at Dory in this story. Because of her short memory, there are plenty of moments for jokes and laughter, not to mention her characters general demeanor.#13 Character Archetype: The Seductress/SeducerWith this character archetype, theres a very specific goal of the seducing behavior.Most often, this character is someone whos attractive and can seduce someone in order to get something they want, or even to subdue them in order to do this.The main point of The Seducer archetype is to trick someone into being vulnerable in order to gain the upper hand in any type of situation, whether thats life or death or simply getting out of a speeding ticket.Character Archetype Examples:Dominika Egorova in Red Sparrow This character archetype for this movie is quite unique. While her character, with the alias of Katerina, may not have been this type to start, she is taught this very specific skill in order to achieve her goals as a spy.Black Widow in the Marvel comics Similar to the previous ex ample, this character was trained in many art forms, seducing being one of them. Her character often has to seduce men, playing to their deepest desires, in order to extract information for the intelligence agency she works with.#14 Character Archetype: The BullyWe all know a bully in real life and stories have no exception to their presence. Of the character archetypes, this one is easy to stop.Its is often used to make your main characters life a lot harder. They can be a bully physically or even emotionally. As long as they belittle your character to the point of increasing conflict in the story, theyre The Bully.Character Archetype Examples:Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter series From the get-go, Draco Malfoy has bullied Harry Potter and his friends. He puts them down, tries to disrupt them with their plans, and even tries to have Harry killed (and kill him himself) later in the series.Regina George in Mean Girls This character is the epitome of a bully. She puts others down and makes them feel like less than, so much so that the climax of the movie comes to a head with her burn book, which consists of a diary of bullying comments about others.Patty in Diary of a Whimpy Kid There are several bullies in this story, the main characters own brother being one, but Patty indeed holds this title as well. She consistently bullies Greg throughout the story.Are your characters ready for their own book?If youre ready to take the next step, the real step toward launching yourself as an established author, this training will help.Now that you have your character archetypes, its time to put the wheels of writing your book in motion.