Instant Dramatica
Musings from Armando Saldaņa
Mora
On Archetypes
If you're working with archetypal characters -or doing the very recomended technique of
developing a character as an archetype and then"swapping elements" in order to
make her a complex character- here are the basic views about the central issue of the
objective throughline:
Protagonist: Is in favor or against that issue (or maybe isn't
completely sure about his position) but he's leading all the actions for -or against-the
issue.
Antagonist: Is diametrically opposed to the Protagonist (If the
protagonist is in favor, he's against and voice-overs) and he does anything in his power
to stop all the actions the protagonist's leading.
Guardian: She tries to shed the light of conscience and show the
"true way"about that issue.
Contagonist: He's tempting everyone out of his paths. And bringing
other issues -or additional information about the same issue- just to confuse.
Sidekick: She supports one side completely. Be it the protagonist's or
the antagonist's.
Skeptic: He doubts both sides. He's his own man.
Emotion: Basically has no reasons for or against the issue, but
strongemotional conflict for or against it.
Reason: Analyzes the issue in a dispassionate way. Takes a side as
long as it's rational.
So, briefly, using an example of "The end justifies the means" in a story of,
say, a nuclear power plant (the cheap energy justifies the nuclear waste) in which the
protagonist is against that power plant:
The Protagonist tries to make everyone conscious of the dangers of the
plant (the means).
The Antagonist tries to stop the protagonist campaign so the town
keeps agreeing about the cheap energy (end) issue.
The Guardian agrees with the protagonist, since she has conscience
about the dangers, but tries to make the protagonist seek better ways of making the people
conscious.
The Contagonist tries to seduce the protagonist out of her quest (over
tire a good public relations job at the plant), so he goes along with the"means
justifies ends" issue.
The Sidekick supports the (let's say) Antagonist, (he's some kind of
super loyal plant employee), he also goes along.
The Skeptic doesn't thinks the plant (means) is good, but doesn't want
a raise on the electric bill either (end). He's against all.
Emotion supports the protagonist in this case (she's some kind of
emotional hippie protester) but makes trouble at all protests.
Reason is a scientist researching about sun energy. The protagonist
tries to support her efforts.
So, as you can see, you can play with your characters for or against the issue as much
as you want. But, in order to have conflict, you must have at least one character
disagreeing with the others.
