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There are 8 essential archetypal characters, each of which represents a different aspect of our own minds.<\/p>\n
The Protagonist portrays our initiative, Antagonist our reticence to change.\u00a0 Reason is our intellect, Emotion our passion.\u00a0 Skeptic is our self-doubt, Sidekick our self-confidence.\u00a0 Finally, Guardian represents our conscience and the Contagonist is temptation.<\/p>\n
Naturally, each must be developed as a complete person as well as in its dramatic function\u00a0so that the reader or audience might identify with them.\u00a0 Yet underneath their humanity, each archetype illustrates how a different specific aspect of ourselves fares when trying to solve the problem at the heart of the story.<\/p>\n
In this manner, stories not only involve us superficially, but provide an underlying\u00a0message about how we might go about solving similar human problems in our own lives.<\/p>\n
Here are the eight archetypal characters, described in terms of their dramatic functions:<\/p>\n
PROTAGONIST<\/strong>: The traditional Protagonist is the driver of the story: the one who forces the action. We root for it and hope for its success.<\/p>\n ANTAGONIST<\/strong>: The Antagonist is the character directly opposed to the Protagonist. It represents the problem that must be solved or overcome for the Protagonist to succeed.<\/p>\n REASON<\/strong>: This character makes its decisions and takes action on the basis of logic, never letting feelings get in the way of a rational course.<\/p>\n EMOTION<\/strong>: The Emotion character responds with its feelings without thinking, whether it is angry or kind, with disregard for practicality.<\/p>\n SKEPTIC<\/strong>: Skeptic doubts everything — courses of action, sincerity, truth — whatever.<\/p>\n SIDEKICK<\/strong>: The Sidekick is unfailing in its loyalty and support. The Sidekick is often aligned with the Protagonist though may also be attached to the Antagonist.<\/p>\n GUARDIAN<\/strong>: The Guardian is a teacher or helper who aids the Protagonist in its quest and offers a moral standard.<\/p>\n CONTAGONIST<\/strong>: The Contagonist hinders and deludes the Protagonist, tempting it to take the wrong course or approach.<\/p>\n
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