Great stories often include certain archetypes for intriguing and unique characters. Here are some of the different character types you can use in narratives and the best ways to write them.
Writing a great story is all about creating intriguing characters who can evoke emotions from the audience. While juggling multiple characters can be difficult, there are certain archetypes that have appeared in many of the great stories over the years. Here, we’ll explore these personalities and provide plenty of examples and tips on how to incorporate them into your own work.
It’s important to note that not every story will feature all of these archetypes as individual characters, and some characters may fit into multiple archetypes. This guide should be used as a helpful tool for adding new characters to your writing.
So, let’s dive into some of the different character archetypes you can use in narrative writing.
Character types in narrative writing
- The Hero
- The Wise One / Mentor
- Love Interest
- Anti-Hero
- The Vulnerable One
- The Self-Interested One
- The Loyal Companion
- The Villain
The Hero
One of the few character types that almost every story features is a hero. This is often the character the audience will follow along with and relate to as they embark on a grand journey with many obstacles.
The hero type does not have to look or operate like any of the great superhero characters. In fact, in many of the greatest stories ever told, the main character’s story often highlights the struggles they face as a result of their biggest flaws and decision-making.
To create a powerful hero character in a story, give them a clear motivation and a compelling backstory that explains their values and personality. Show their strengths and weaknesses to make them more relatable, and use dynamic dialogue to further develop their character.
Your hero should be flawed and vulnerable, but also strong and determined. Show their growth and development throughout the story as they learn from their mistakes and become better versions of themselves.
The Wise One / Mentor
In pop culture stories, there are iconic figures known for their sage advice, such as Mr. Miyagi, Yoda, Gandalf, Master Oogway, and Morpheus/Oracle. These elder characters often provide the hero with guidance to help them unlock their powers or overcome obstacles. The wise characters’ sayings have been quoted often, providing the audience with good counsel.
One characteristic of these mentor figures is that they employ arduous or unorthodox training methods, as seen with Yoda, Mr. Miyagi, and Mickey Goldmill from the “Rocky” series. They can be heavily featured characters or only briefly appear to correct the hero’s course.
When creating a mentor character, it is essential to focus on one or two key lessons that will have a clear and obvious payoff for the hero’s character arc. Moreover, the mentor should have a unique and well-rounded personality that distinguishes them from other mentor characters in pop culture.
Although the Wise One often falls ill or sacrifices themselves for the hero, this is not necessary when writing a mentor character. Instead, a mentor’s value can be imparted to the hero through their teachings, leaving a lasting impact that helps the hero achieve their goals.
The Love Interest
In any romantic narrative, a dynamic love interest is essential to provide a contrasting character to the main protagonist and create an engaging story. The love interest is often central to the plot, and major stakes are attached to their relationship with the main character.
To craft a well-rounded love interest, focus on their backstory, values, and goals. Consider how they would react to different scenarios and challenges that arise in the story. It’s essential to make the love interest a fully realized character rather than just a plot device.
A good love interest should have their own goals and aspirations that are not solely related to the main character’s journey. By doing this, you can create a multi-dimensional character that the audience can relate to and root for.
Finally, it’s crucial to establish a believable connection between the love interest and the main character. This connection can be built on shared interests, values, or experiences. Creating a sense of chemistry between the characters can make the romance more engaging and realistic.
The Anti-Hero
It’s often believed that an anti-hero has characteristics that are in contrast to the traditional hero archetype. For example, an anti-hero may be a flawed individual who lacks some of the traditional heroic qualities like selflessness, courage, or morality. Anti-heroes may also have darker motives or engage in questionable actions that are typically frowned upon in society.
Despite their shortcomings, anti-heroes often display qualities that make them relatable and even likable to some audiences. Their flaws and mistakes may make them more realistic and human than traditional heroes who are often portrayed as almost infallible. Additionally, anti-heroes may be more representative of the complexities and contradictions of the human experience.
Some popular examples of anti-heroes in literature, film, and television include Walter White from Breaking Bad, Tony Soprano from The Sopranos, and Deadpool from Marvel Comics. These characters are often not straightforwardly good or bad, and their actions can be morally ambiguous or even reprehensible at times. However, their nuanced and complex portrayals have contributed to their popularity and cultural significance.
The Vulnerable One
In many stories, an innocent or naive character is introduced as a small child or a defenseless individual, who the main character is tasked with caring for. Although vulnerable at first, they often possess extreme capabilities or potential and become a central part of the plot.
These characters have plenty of room to develop and can grow into strong leading characters themselves. Anakin from “The Phantom Menace” and Ellie from “The Last of Us” are excellent examples of characters who started off as innocent or naive and eventually became integral to the story.
To write an innocent or naive character in your story, consider their background, personality, and motivations. It’s essential to avoid making them one-dimensional and to give them their own distinct arc. Moreover, it’s crucial to develop their relationships with the other characters, especially the main protagonist, to create a believable connection.
One way to make an innocent or naive character stand out is to give them a unique skill or trait that sets them apart from other characters. It could be a hidden talent, a special ability, or an unexpected strength. However, it’s important to ensure that this skill or trait is not the only defining characteristic of the character.
As with any character, the innocent or naive character should experience growth throughout the story. This growth can come from a variety of experiences and challenges, which will help shape them into a well-rounded character as the story unfolds.
The Self-Interested one
In any good story, there are characters who only seek to satisfy their own desires for power and status. This archetype dates back to biblical times with Judas betraying Jesus for his own profit. Today, we see characters like Loki, Gollum, and Cypher embodying the self-interested archetype.
These characters often exhibit emotions such as greed, ambition, and jealousy, and are typically narcissistic. Their behavior is often a result of being slighted by others or experiencing unfortunate circumstances.
When writing your own self-interested character, it’s crucial to establish their background, motivations, and the challenges they’ve faced. Exploring their troubled past will provide insight into why they act the way they do and give the character depth.
One way to make a self-interested character interesting is to give them relatable qualities, such as a sympathetic backstory or moments of vulnerability. This will allow the audience to understand their motivations and perhaps even empathize with them.
Additionally, self-interested characters can provide an excellent foil to the protagonist, highlighting the protagonist’s virtues and making them appear more heroic. However, it’s essential to avoid making the self-interested character a one-dimensional villain, as this will make the character less compelling. Instead, focus on creating a complex and multi-faceted character that can challenge the protagonist and captivate the audience.
The Loyal Companion
The Loyal Companion, or sidekick, is a staple character in many heroes’ journeys. From Samwise to Robin, they provide support and share glory with the protagonist during their adventures. They can take many forms, such as a dog in “I am Legend,” and can serve as comic relief to ease tension. When creating a loyal companion, consider their unique personality and how they can contribute to the story’s themes and the protagonist’s growth.
A good starting point for writing a loyal companion is to think about their relationship with the protagonist. What do they bring to the table? Are they a confidant, a source of encouragement, or a voice of reason? It’s also important to consider their individual traits and how they contrast with the protagonist. Do they have a different worldview or set of skills? How do these differences complement or clash with the protagonist’s own journey?
In addition to their role in the protagonist’s journey, a loyal companion can also be a valuable tool for world-building and creating emotional depth. They may have their own backstory, motives, and relationships, which can be explored in greater detail. By giving the loyal companion a rich inner life, they become more than just a sidekick, but a fully realized character in their own right.
Ultimately, a good loyal companion is one that the audience can root for and invest in emotionally. They add to the story’s sense of camaraderie and can make the protagonist’s victories feel all the more satisfying.
The Villain
Last but not least, we have the villain, who is often the direct opposite of the hero in many ways. These characters are usually portrayed as the embodiment of moral evil and can be incredibly compelling when written well.
To create a strong villain, it’s important to establish a clear sense of logic behind their actions and motivations. Even if their goals are morally repugnant, they should still have reasons for why they believe what they do.
Take for example the likes of Thanos and Sauron, or the Sith in Star Wars. While they are seen as the “bad guys,” they believe that the hero’s actions threaten the universe, and they seek to bring about a better future through their own methods.
What makes them truly villainous is their willingness to use barbaric and ruthless means to achieve their goals. However, it’s also worth noting that characters like Thanos can come from a place of compassion. Thanos witnessed the destruction of his home world due to overpopulation and wanted to prevent the same fate from befalling others.
The key to writing a compelling villain is to give equal consideration to their backstory and motivations as you would for your hero. This allows the audience to understand and empathize with them, even if they don’t agree with their actions. A well-written villain can elevate a story and make it truly unforgettable.