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)
What about stereotypes?
"Stereotypes weaken a piece of writing by resorting to tropes that can carry negative connotations. In real life, human beings are complex and may not often conform to stereotypical character traits."