Character Types
Learning about character types
through fairy tales
Protagonist vs. Antagonist
In most stories, there will be a protagonist and
an antagonist.
Most of the time, the protagonist and
antagonist will both be one person, but
sometimes, there can be more than one
protagonist/antagonist – or, a group can serve
the role of the protagonist/antagonist. For
example, in The Outsiders, we talked about
how The Socs (a group) were the antagonist.
The Protagonist
The central (main) character of the story
The person on whom the action centers or
who pushes the action forward
Attempts to accomplish or overcome
something
Usually dynamic (we will come back to this)
Usually seen as a good person: the hero or
heroine (but not always!!)
Examples of Protagonist
• Who is was the protagonist in…
– The Five People You Meet in Heaven
– The Outsiders
– “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves”
– “The Cinder-Maid”
• Other examples?
The Antagonist
Character or force that keeps the protagonist
from fulfilling the action or overcoming the
conflict
Wants something that is in opposition to what
the protagonist wants
Usually seen as the bad guy or villain
Can be static or dynamic
Examples of Antagonist
• Who is was the antagonist in…
– The Outsiders
– “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves”
– “The Cinder-Maid”
• Other examples?
Static vs. Dynamic Characters
In literature, all characters are either static or
dynamic. You may have heard these character
types described as either flat or round
characters.
Dynamic characters undergo a significant
internal change from the beginning to end of
the story.
Static characters do not undergo this change.
Dynamic (“Round”) Characters
Undergoes an important, internal change
throughout the story
Comes to some sort of realization that
permanently changes the character
The change occurs because of events in the
story
Static (Flat) Character
Remains the same throughout the story
Although something may happen to the
character, it doesn’t cause the character to
change permanently
Minor characters are usually static
“Successful” Static + Dynamic
Characters
• Most people will say that all protagonists must be
dynamic characters. However, this is not always
true.
• Most, but not all, protagonists will undergo a
permanent internal change in the story (dynamic)
• However, there are also some examples of
“successful” protagonists who stay the same
(static) throughout the story.
http://timvandevall.com/static-characters-dynamiccharacters/
Dynamic or Static??
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Eddie in The Five People You Meet in Heaven
Ponyboy in The Outsiders
Cherry in The Outsiders
Two Bit Matthews in The Outsiders
Cinder-Maid
The Stepmother in “The Cinder-Maid”
The Queen in “Snow White”
Stock (Stereotype) Characters
• Stock characters are stereotypical characters.
Certain character types show up often in
literature, movies, and television and are
easily recognized and understood by
audiences. They are widely used characters
with similar traits.
Stock Characters in Fairy Tales
• The Damsel in Distress: A young (usually
beautiful) girl who is in some sort of trouble
and must be saved (usually by a prince).
• The Fairy Godmother: A protective figure who
helps the protagonist.
• The Evil Stepmother: Usually stepmother to a
female protagonist. The stepmother is jealous
of or cruel to the protagonist in some way.
Stock Characters in Fairy Tales
• The Evil Wizard or Wicked Witch: Usually puts
a curse on the protagonist or tricks them.
• Prince Charming: The handsome man. He
probably saves the Damsel in Distress. He is
good and virtuous.
• The Sidekick: This person is not the same as a
Fairy Godmother, but is usually the best friend
or helper of the protagonist or another
character in the story.
Examples of Stock Characters
• The Damsel in Distress:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPX2PKD
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• The Fairy Godmother:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_KwciX-UQ
• The Evil Stepmother:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6SdCDpv
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Examples of Stock Characters:
• Evil Wizard/Wicked Witch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0fWYtw
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• Prince Charming:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV1blh5
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• The Sidekick:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzLEjzvy
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Create-A-Character
• See the back of your sheet for instructions.