Abstract
Typically, there are five primary character archetypes in a movie or television series. The Protagonist provides a forward-moving dynamic toward a conscious goal. The Nemesis opposes the Protagonist. The Attractor is an ally most closely associated with the Protagonist’s emotional development. The Mentor is an ally most connected with the Protagonist’s intellectual development. The Trickster is a shapeshifter, testing the will of the Protagonist by switching from ally to enemy, enemy to ally. From a meta standpoint, each character acts within the context of their own subplot to facilitate the Protagonist’s physical and psychological journey. Collectively, they represent a Family of Characters. This chapter introduces this theory by considering several notable films and TV series.
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Notes
- 1.
It is important to note that character archetypes are tools, not rules. That is to say, do not think of them as a formula, but rather a helpful way to understand a story’s characters, both their individual narrative functions and the nature of their relationships.
- 2.
Auntie Em and Uncle Henry are also Attractors as once Dorothy is separated from them, she realizes how much she misses them.
- 3.
The actor Frank Morgan appears as five characters: Professor Marvel, the Wizard, the Gatekeeper, the Carriage Driver, and the Guard, a fact which underscores the character’s slippery Trickster nature.
- 4.
The Joker is a great example of the Nemesis as a projection of the Protagonist’s shadow. Bruce Wayne carries with him a deep wound as a result of his parents’ murder. Joker is clearly wounded from his past. Wayne has a rage which manifests itself as violence against Bad Guys. Likewise, Joker has a rage, but uses his violence against Good Guys. Indeed, Joker’s goal of unmasking Batman is based on the idea that the two are more similar than different.
- 5.
I distinguish between a character’s temporary mask and their primary character archetype, the latter beginning with a capital letter (e.g., Protagonist, Nemesis, Attractor, Mentor, and Trickster), the former beginning with a lowercase letter (e.g., protagonist, nemesis, attractor, mentor, and trickster).
Further Study
The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious, C. G. Jung, Princeton University Press; 2nd ed. edition, August, 1981.
The Hero Within: Six Archetypes We Live By, Carol S. Pearson, HarperOne, January 1998.
Archetypes: Who Are You?, Caroline Myss, Hay House, January 2013.
Appendix: A Gallery of Archetypes, Caroline Myss, https://www.myss.com/free-resources/sacred-contracts-and-your-archetypes/appendix-a-gallery-of-archtypes/.
References
Coen, J & Coen, E (screenplay), Portis, C (novel) (2010). True Grit; Paramount Pictures.
Epstein, J & Epstein, P and Koch, H (screenplay), Burnett, M and Alison, J (play) (1942). Casablanca; Warner Bros.
Langley, N & Ryerson, F and Woolf, E. A. (screenplay), Langley, N (adaptation), Baum, F. L. (novel) (1939). The Wizard of Oz; Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM).
Nolan, J and Nolan, C (screenplay), Nolan, C & Goyer, D. S. (story), Kane, B (characters) (2008). The Dark Knight; Warner Bros.
Sorkin, A (screenplay), Mezrich, B (book) (2010). The Social Network; Columbia Pictures.
Wilder, B & Diamond, I.A.L. (written by) (1960). The Apartment; The Mirisch Company / United Artists.
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Myers, S. (2022). Primary Character Archetypes. In: The Protagonist's Journey. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-79682-2_8
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