Follow TV Tropes

Following

Context Main / ArchetypalCharacter

Go To

1%% Due to the nature of this trope, finding an image will be extremely difficult. Do not add an image to this page without discussion in Image Pickin'.
2%% IP thread for reference: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1466076371081874500. The old image got moved to SelfPlagiarism per the above IP thread.
3%%
4%%
5->''"It may seem redundant at first as strictly speaking an archetype is simply an example of something, in short, every trope is a story archetype. However, here we are using the term about a concept in [[UsefulNotes/CarlJung Jungian]] Psychology of the same name."''
6
7An Archetypal Character is a character who appears over and over in legends far and wide, even in cultures that have shut themselves off from the world; in other words, a [[UniversalTropes Universal Character]]. The [[OurVampiresAreDifferent blood-drinking risen dead]] are an {{Archetype}} as almost every culture has come up with their legends independent of each other. ''Series/{{Angel}}'' is an archetype: the tragic hero trying to overcome the evils of their past. TricksterGod Coyote is an archetype. [[Series/XenaWarriorPrincess Xena]] is an archetype. Any of these may be disguised as a SpaceAlien. Some characters combine aspects of various archetypes to form more complex characterizations, like a being TheHero and TheTrickster, or a combination of two opposing archetypes.
8
9Some lit-theories classify archetypes by the [[CharactersAsDevice role/purpose the character inhabits for the story]]. These classes are: ''[[TheProtagonist Protagonist]]'', ''[[TheAntagonist Antagonist]]'', ''[[TheSpock Reason]]'', ''[[TheMcCoy Emotion]]'', ''{{Sidekick}}'', ''[[CommanderContrarian Skeptic]]'', ''[[MentorArchetype Guardian]]'', and ''[[AChatWithSatan Contagonist]]''.
10
11A related concept is the '[[CorruptedCharacterCopy ectype]]', a distorted or flawed version of the archetype. For example, ComicBook/{{Batman}} is archetypal. He's a rich man who dedicates himself to anonymously fighting crime (protecting society) with a variety of gadgets. Many of the characters in ''ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}'' are ectypes based on this archetype.
12
13See also StockCharacters and DeconstructedCharacterArchetype.
14----
15!!Tropes
16[[index]]
17[floatboxright:
18'''Categories:'''
19+ AllegoricalCharacter
20+ StockCharacters
21]
22* AllLovingHero: A heroic character whose love and compassion are unlimited.
23* TheAntagonist: Opposes TheProtagonist.
24* AnthropomorphicPersonification: Living, roughly hominoid embodiments of abstract concepts.
25* AntiHero: A morally questionable hero who lacks conventional heroic qualities.
26* TheArchmage: Powerful and knowledgeable wizard ruling other mages.
27* AudienceSurrogate: Purposefully bland character that the audience can insert themselves into.
28* BarefootSage: A wise person that is usually barefoot.
29* BigFun: Big, fat, fun-loving character.
30* BlindSeer: Physically blind, but "sees" with other means, often better than the unimpaired.
31* BlueCollarWarlock: Modern, streetsmart spellcasters.
32* BruiserWithASoftCenter: Tough characters are capable of having soft hearts.
33* TheChampion: A character devoted to sticking up for another character.
34* AChatWithSatan: A character tests whether the hero would enact their darker desires if tempted.
35* TheChosenOne: The ancient prophecy says that only a certain person can save the world.
36* TheChooserOfTheOne: The one that decides who TheChosenOne is.
37* ClassicalHunter: A character whose life and personality is built around game-hunting
38* ClassicVillain: A villain who acts as an evil foil to the hero's personality and is a main block to his journey towards his destiny.
39* CommanderContrarian: This complainer's only purpose is to always be against a hero's suggestions, no matter how logical it is.
40* TheConscience: A character that acts as another one's moral guide.
41* TheCorrupter: A villain who tempts people into doing evil things.
42* TheCynic: Someone who always has low expectations for everything.
43* DemiurgeArchetype: Someone evil pretending to be the setting's TopGod.
44* TheDragonslayer: A character FamedInStory for killing dragons, or who is a specialist at dragon slaying.
45* TheDrunkenSailor: A sailor who is always seen drinking.
46* DumbMuscle: Lots of brawn, short on brains.
47* EccentricMentor: A mentor who is quirky, yet still wise and skilled.
48* EnigmaticEmpoweringEntity: A mysterious character who grants great power.
49* EvilOverlord: An [[AsskickingLeadsToLeadership incredibly powerful]], highly influential despot who is usually the BigBad of the story.
50* TheFairFolk: Fairies have BlueAndOrangeMorality.
51* FalseProphet: A savior or religious figure, or someone posing as such, lying for selfish reasons.
52* FatherNeptune: An old, gritty, experienced sailor.
53* TheFerryman: A mythical figure whose boat is used as a vehicle to transport people to [[MagicalLand Other Worlds]].
54* TheFool: An [[BornLucky uncannily lucky]], [[DumbIsGood fundamentally kind-hearted]] [[TheDitz Ditz]].
55* FoolForLove: Tough, and possibly cynical, but still a sucker for love.
56* GenkiGirl: Determined, confident, and hyperactive character.
57* GentleGiant: An imposing and scary but kind-hearted [[TheBigGuy Big Guy]].
58* TheGoodKing: A king who is [[RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething good at his job]] and beloved by the people.
59* GrannyClassic: A wise, nurturing, and reliable grandmother.
60* TheGrotesque: A character's ugliness is so extreme that it elicits [[TheWoobie pity]] instead of disgust.
61* {{Herald}}: What sends TheHero on their [[TheHerosJourney journey]].
62* TheHero: The do-gooder [[TheProtagonist protagonist]].
63* TheHerosIdol: The character who inspires TheHero to follow their path.
64* HeroicWannabe: Wants to be a hero, but lacks the skills and/or mindset for actual heroism.
65* TheHighQueen: A woman of wealth, power, near-impossible beauty, and a calm demeanor.
66* HigherSelf: A character's wiser, dettached side.
67* HunterOfMonsters: Someone who hunts and kills monsters and supernatural creatures.
68* IdealHero: A morally perfect hero.
69* TheIdealist: A character defined by their hopefulness in the present and the future.
70* IneffectualLoner: A capable but solitary character whose efficiency is limited by their lack of friends.
71* JeanneDArchetype: A young, [[ActionGirl soldier]] woman who is seen as her cause's symbol.
72* {{Keet}}: A cutesy, hyperactive person.
73* TheKirk: The balancer/combination of [[TheSpock logic]] and [[TheMcCoy emotion]].
74* TheKlutz: A character whose defining trait is clumsiness.
75* KnightInShiningArmor: A hero who champions the weak and innocent, especially [[AlwaysSaveTheGirl women in distress]].
76* LadyAndKnight: An [[KnightInShiningArmor honourable and courageous character]] is sworn to defend a high-ranking lady.
77* LoserArchetype: A character whose disgrace comes from their lack of talent/skill.
78* LovableRogue: A charming, likeable [[TheTrickster trickster]].
79* MadonnaArchetype: Humble mother figure modeled after the Virgin Mary.
80* MagicalBarefooter: Casting magic is easier if you don't wear shoes.
81* TheMcCoy: The [[HotBlooded emotional]] and [[TheHeart sentimentalistic]] character.
82* MentorArchetype: Someone whose role is to ensure TheHero's CharacterDevelopment.
83* MessianicArchetype: Someone who endures great sacrifices to save others.
84* MockMillionaire: A millionaire wannabe.
85* ModernMajorGeneral: Can do anything well except their actual job.
86* MosesArchetype: A character who frees his people to lead them to a promised land.
87* MyGirlBackHome: The loved one who TheHero leaves when going on an adventure.
88* ObstructiveBureaucrat: A bureaucrat who hinders others with paperwork.
89* OldSoldier: Military OldMaster.
90* ThePaladin: Holy knight with [[CombatMedic healing and defensive powers]] and [[LightEmUp light based]] [[MagicKnight magic]].
91* TheParagon: An embodiment of virtue who inspires others to help society.
92* ThePatriarch: A male elder with the highest authority in his family.
93* PersonOfMassDestruction: A person with massively devastating abilities.
94* ThePollyanna: A character who remains optimistic no matter what may happen to them.
95* PowersThatBe: Almighty, powerful, and invisible forces.
96* PrinceCharming: A [[BlueBlood blue-blooded]], charming hero.
97* PrincessClassic: An [[TheIngenue innocent]], good and kind princess.
98* TheProtagonist: The character whom the story is about.
99* AProtagonistShallLeadThem (a.k.a. Leader Archetype): TheHero takes (usually troubled) people and leads them to greatness.
100* RebelLeader: The character who leads LaResistance.
101* RebelliousSpirit: A character who doesn't abide by the rules.
102* ReluctantMonster: An AlwaysChaoticEvil species is oblivious/reluctant to their deeds.
103* SatanicArchetype: An evil-doer modelled after {{Satan}}.
104* SeekerArchetype: A character whose main motivation is to learn a certain truth.
105* ShadowArchetype: A character embodies another character's rejected facets.
106* {{Sidekick}}: The ever-reliable NumberTwo guy to every hero.
107* TheSociopath: A [[ItsAllAboutMe self-centered]] and [[LackOfEmpathy ruthless]] social predator.
108* TheSpock: The logical intellectual.
109* StarCrossedLovers: Lovers doomed to be kept apart.
110* TheStoryteller: A character who tells tales and sometimes is the narrator.
111* ThresholdGuardians: A character who tests TheHero's resolve before the latter's journey starts.
112* TurnCoat: A character who changes sides and provides assistance to the other side.
113* TheTrickster: A cunning character who disregards the rules.
114* WanderingWizard: A traveler with magic powers.
115* WickedStepmother: An evil step-parent who despises their stepchildren.
116* WickedWitch: Ugly, ObviouslyEvil version of the WitchClassic.
117* WitchClassic: Witches as wise, old women whose magic is associated with nature and have an animal companion.
118* WizardClassic: Wizards as wise, old males who use magic, wear robes, and wield staffs.
119* WolfMan: Wolf-like humanoid.
120* WorldsBestWarrior: Someone who, through skill and reputation, is the setting's best fighter.
121* WorldsMostBeautifulWoman: Someone who is noted InUniverse to be the setting's most attractive person.
122* WorldsStrongestMan: Someone who is the setting's physically strongest person.
123[[/index]]
124

Top