The hero

Embodies courage and determination, facing challenges to achieve a goal.

The hero

• Strengths: courage, perseverance, honor
• Weaknesses: overconfidence, hubris
• Examples: Luke Skywalker (Star Wars), Wonder Woman (Wonder Woman), Harry Potter (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone)

The lover

The romantic lead who’s guided by the heart.

The lover

• Strengths: humanism, passion, conviction
• Weaknesses: naivete, irrationality
• Examples: Romeo and Juliet (Romeo and Juliet), Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Mulan (Mulan), Belle (Beauty and the Beast)

The magician

A powerful figure who has harnessed the ways of the universe to achieve key goals.

The magician

• Strengths: omniscience, omnipotence, discipline
• Weaknesses: corruptibility, arrogance
• Examples: Gandalf (The Lord of the Rings), Morpheus (The Matrix), Darth Vader (Star Wars)

The outlaw

The rebel who won’t abide by society’s demands.

The outlaw

• Strengths: independent thinking, virtue, owes no favors
• Weaknesses: self-involved, potentially criminal
• Examples: Han Solo (Star Wars), Batman (The Dark Knight), Captain Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean), Aladdin (Aladdin)

The explorer

Seeks adventure and discovery, driven by curiosity and wanderlust.

The explorer

• Strengths: curious, driven, motivated by self-improvement
• Weaknesses: restless, unreliable, never satisfied
• Examples: Moana (Moana), Simba (The Lion King), Huckleberry Finn (The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn), Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes)

The mentor/sage

Offers guidance and wisdom, helping the hero on their journey.

The mentor

• Strengths: wisdom, experience, insight
• Weaknesses: cautious, hesitant to actually join the action
• Examples: Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars), Rafiki (The Lion King), The Oracle (The Matrix)

The innocent

Embodies purity and optimism, often seeking safety and happiness.

The innocent

• Strengths: morality, kindness, sincerity
• Weaknesses: vulnerable, naive, rarely skilled
• Examples: Tiny Tim (A Christmas Carol), Cinderella (Cinderella), Dory (Finding Nemo), Buddy the Elf (Elf), Forrest Gump (Forrest Gump)

The creator

A motivated visionary who creates art or structures during the narrative.

The creator

• Strengths: creativity, willpower, conviction
• Weaknesses: self-involvement, single-mindedness, lack of practical skills
• Examples: Flik (A Bug's Life), Dr. Emmett Brown (Back to the Future), Dr. Victor Frankenstein (Frankenstein), Hiccup (How to Train Your Dragon)

The ruler

A character with legal or emotional power over others.

The ruler

• Strengths: omnipotence, status, resources
• Weaknesses: aloofness, disliked by others, out of touch
• Examples: Regina George (Mean Girls), King Lear (King Lear), Peter Pan (Peter Pan), Stoick the Vast (How to Train Your Dragon)

The caregiver

A character who continually supports others and makes sacrifices on their behalf.

The caregiver

• Strengths: honorable, selfless, loyal
• Weaknesses: lacking personal ambition or leadership
• Examples: Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins), Samwise Gamgee (Lord of the Rings), Marlin (Finding Nemo)

The everyman

A relatable character who feels recognizable from daily life.

The everyman

• Strengths: grounded, salt-of-the-earth, relatable
• Weaknesses: lacking special powers, often unprepared for what’s to come
• Examples: Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit), Homer Simpson (The Simpsons), Leslie Knope (Parks & Recreation)

The trickster/jester

Challenges norms and conventions, often bringing humor and chaos. May also speak important truths.

The trickster/jester

• Strengths: funny, disarming, insightful
• Weaknesses: can be obnoxious and superficial
• Examples: Zazu (The Lion King), Genie (Aladdin), Frank and Estelle Costanza (Seinfeld), R2D2 and C-3PO (Star Wars)