Everything You Need To Know About Character Archetypes

From watching a movie to reading our favorite books, it’s inevitable to be drawn to certain characters in a story. Maybe it’s because of their backstory, their traits, or their lines, but one common thing about these characters is that they are relatable. They portray a sense of real life in a fictional world. We become attached to these characters because they mirror the experiences that we undergo too. In essence, they mirror us. 

What Is A Character Archetype? 

Using an archetype is key to developing the greatest story characters. Basing on Carl Jung’s personality archetypes, character archetypes are the founding patterns in which each character is molded. Each archetype reflects unique strengths and weaknesses, allowing the character to touch base with people on a granular level. Character archetypes help literary writers to create a character that appeals to the emotions and subconscious of their readers and viewers.  

The 12 Character Archetypes Used in Writing 

1. The Caregiver

One character that is well-received by many is the Caregiver. The Caregiver archetype is selfless. They protect the people they love at all costs. They are the epitome of unconditional love. While they have the biggest heart out of all the archetypes, one downfall of being a Caregiver is their susceptibility to abuse and deceit. They can be too blinded by love that they become too trusting of the people around them. 

2. The Lover

Another compassionate archetype is the Lover. Characters under this archetype lead with passion, love, and intimacy. Their feelings are genuine and they are never afraid to express them. Because they often wear their hearts on their sleeves, one of the lover archetype challenges is neglecting their own selves just to take care of another person. For them, romance is all about dying for the person you love – no questions asked. 

3. The Orphan

The Orphan is usually the protagonist of the story. These characters have gone through a lot of struggles, making their backstories a meeting point between them and the audience. Their circumstances and their strength to overcome them are what draws the people to these characters. However, these characters can be easily swayed by what others think of them. This stems from their insecurities and their eagerness to belong. 

4. The Hero

Another crowd-favorite is the Hero. These characters are often courageous and strong. They believe that they can save the world by going above and beyond their duties. The Hero is our ideal version of ourselves. People see this character as an inspiration to also do good in whatever pursuit we are currently in. When we see this character, we can’t help but root for the Hero to succeed. 

5. The Explorer

The Explorer is a character that tends to push for a big change. Characters under this archetype believe that there is always something better than the status quo. They are driven by their curiosity and their thirst for adventure. They always want to push their limits. One challenge that this archetype faces is its incessant desire for something better. In a sense, this character is never truly satisfied. 

6. The Rebel

The Rebels are the characters that always go against the norms. They believe in freedom. While their non-conformist ways may be viewed as extreme, their end goal is noble: a better society. These characters are often wronged in the past and are seeking revenge. These struggles have pushed them to become rigid and overly independent. These characters are often the antagonists in the story. 

7. The Innocent

The Innocent possesses childlike characteristics. Characters in this archetype are sincere and kind. They always see the good in people. They can never intentionally harm anyone. They crave peace and happiness. However, the Innocent can be a vulnerable target of evil. Their naivety makes them easy to deceive. 

8. The Creator

One interesting character archetype is the Creator. They are the artists of the story. Their main motivation in life is to create something that helps society. They believe in freedom of expression and will fight for it at any given cost.  

9. The Jester

If you’re looking to build a humorous character, the Jester archetype is the way to go. The Jesters usually provide comic relief in the story. But as you dig deeper into their character, you will find that they also have their own truths to convey. 

10. The Sage

The teachers or mentors in the story are the Sage. This archetype is all about learning and imparting wisdom. They are great listeners, and often support the journey of the protagonist. The Sage characters are usually the ones behind the molding of the Hero. Their main motivation is to train the next generation to build a better society. 

11. The Magician

The Magician is another character that can be seen as a mentor to younger characters. However, this archetype is stricter when achieving goals. They are all about order and discipline. These characters are usually powerful figures in the story. 

12. The Ruler

The Ruler runs the community. These characters are often the King or Queen, the President, or the CEO. They hold legal and emotional powers over their people. Everything and everyone is under their jurisdiction. 

Popular Archetype Examples 

To understand these archetypes better, let’s take a look at these well-loved characters and the archetypes they belong to: 

• The Lover – Romeo and Juliet, Titanic’s Jack and Rose, Belle of Beauty and the Beast 
• The Hero – Harry Potter, Superman, Luke Skywalker
• The Magician – Gandalf, Sherlock Holmes, Darth Vader
• The Rebel – Han Solo, Katniss Everdeen
• The Explorer – Huckleberry Finn, Odysseus
• The Sage – Obi-Wan Kenobi, Dumbledore, Yoda
• The Innocent – Lilo, Boo (Monsters Inc.)
• The Creator – Dr. Frankenstein, Zeus
• The Ruler – Cersei Lannister, King Arthur
• The Caregiver – Mary Poppins, Mrs. Weasley
• The Jester – R2D2, Chandler Bing
• The Orphan – Frodo, Harry Potter

To Sum Up 

One important thing to note about developing characters is that they are not strictly confined to one archetype. While most of them start with one archetype, you will later find out that these characters can easily morph into another archetype. Take for example, Harry Potter. Early in the story, you will find that he is an Orphan. However, as he learns skills from the Magician and the Sage, he grows to be the Hero of the narrative. This is the beauty of character development. Through the archetypes, you get to see the journey each character undergoes.