Literary Archetypes: Overview

Literary Protagonists

Jung

 Archetype

Characteristics

Common tropes

The Innocent

a person untouched by cynicism or distrust.

The Innocent

a character who maintains his or her idealistic views throughout a story.

free-spirited, naive, saintly, romantic

• The Child
• The Maiden
• The Pollyanna
• The Pupil

The Victim

a character whose sacrifice or pain drives the story.

sacrificial, weak, ineffective

• The Damsel-in- Distress
• The Fall Guy
• The Red-Shirt
• The Scapegoat
• The Tragic Hero

The Orphan

a child unbound to parental restrictions, seeks adventure and belonging.

The Initiate

an inexperienced character who grows in the course of the story.

coming-of-age

• The Orphan
• The Youth
• The Troubled Teen

The Everyman

an average character facing difficult situations, either as the protagonist or as the companion.

real, solid, fair, relatable, blends in

• The Conformist
• The Watson
• The Boy/Girl Next Door
• The Underdog

The Hero

a person who acts to save others and improve the world around them.

The Hero

a person who acts to save others and improve the world around them.

courageous, strong, competent, may be arrogant

• The Champion
• The Dragon Slayer
• The Knight in Shining Armor
• The Messiah
• The Reformer
• The Rightful King
• The Seeker
• The Superhero
• The Warrior

The Rebel /
The Revolutionary

a person who seeks to overturn what isn't working.

The Anti-Hero
The Flawed Hero

a reclusive or rebellious character who performs acts of heroism, despite his flaws.

outrageous, radical, outlaw, disruptive, misfit, revolutionary

• The Gentle Giant
• The Gentleman Thief
• The Loner
• The Lovable Rogue
• The Mock Millionaire
• The Outcast
• The Outlaw
• Reluctant Monster
• The Swashbuckler
• The Wild One

The Explorer

a person who seeks the freedom to experience life without boundries

non-conforming, autonomous, individualistic

• The Wanderer
• The Pilgrim
• The Seeker

The Caregiver

a person who nurtures or otherwise guides others.

The Mother Figure

a character who cares for and guides a younger character.

selfless, compassionate, generous, loyal

• The Enabler
• The Messenger
• Mother Earth
• The Surrogate Parent

The Sage

a person who uses intelligence to understand the world and shares that understanding with others.

The Mentor

a character who protects and teaches other characters.

wise, scholarly, thinking, philosophical

• The Advisor
• The Detective
• The Father / Patriarch
• The Headmaster
• The Observer
• The Scholar
• The Teacher / Professor
• The Wise Old One

The Lover

a person who seeks a relationship with those they love.

The Companion

individual or multiple characters loyal to one another and protective of the hero.

intimate, passionate, enthusiastic

• The Femme Fatale
• The Ladies' Man
• Prince Charming
• Star-Crossed Lovers
• Soul Mates
• The Temptress
• The Minion
• The Side-kick
• The Straight Man

The Jester

a person who wants to have a great time or who tends to amuse others.

The Trickster

a character (good or evil) who plays tricks on those around them, often leaving confusion and chaos in their wake.

playful, funny, frivolous, joyful, mischievous

• The Absent-mined Professor
• The Comedian
• The Fool
• The Imposter
• The Joker
• The Klutz
• The Town Drunk
• The Village Idiot

The Creator

a person who seeks to envision and realize an idea

visionary, artistic, creative, innovative

• The Inventory
• The Musician
• The Tortured Artist
• The Reclusive Writer

The Magician

a person who seeks to make dreams come true.

catalytic, spiritual, healer

• The Blind Seer
• The Fairy Godmother
• The Healer
• The Psychic
• The Wizard

The Ruler

a person who seeks to lead others into prosperity and success.

managing, powerful

• The Boss
• The God / Goddess
• The King/Queen
• The Leader

Literary Antagonists

Jung's archetypes may be applied to antagonists, as well as protagonists.

The Villain

a human character who acts as an antagonist, opposing and often seeking to annihilate the protagonist.

angry, vengeful, manipulative, evil

• The Bully
• The Career Criminal
• The Corruptor
• The Mad Scientist
• The Manipulator
• The Nemesis
• The Psycho/Sociopath
• The Traitor
• The Wicked Stepmother

The Monster

an unnatural or non-human character who acts as an antagonist who is a threat to the protagonist and other characters.

unnatural, non-human, instinctual, unsympathetic

• The Creature
• The Dark Lord/Wizard
• The Devil
• Little Green Men
• The Robot
• The Werewolf
• The Wicked Witch
• The Vampire
• The Zombie

The Doppelganger

a shadow of the character that represents another side to his or her personality.

opposite, contrary

• The Evil Twin
• The Shadow