17 Character Archetypes Every Writer Can Use (With Examples)

 What is a character archetype?

‘Archetypes’ are similar character types who represent common patterns of human nature. Think of big, general categories. You’ve probably met a ‘jock’ before. Or a ‘Karen’. These are both examples of archetypes. You can think of an archetype as a personality type. So, most (if not all) characters will fit into some archetype at some point. Or, multiple archetypes! It’s good to pay attention to what archetypes you have in your stories. After all, different archetypes work better together than others. (There’s no rules here, though! You can totally subvert expectations by pairing up nerds and jocks, for example!)

When do I choose an archetype for my character?

Again, no rules! So, you can decide that you want to create a character for a specific archetype. Then, build the character around that mold. Or, you can consider your character’s archetype as the final step! It’s up to you. Still, it’s a good idea to start thinking about your character’s archetype early on in designing them. That way, you can ensure your character is truly an archetypal character.

The definition of an archetypal character is a character that falls within an archetype. So, characters like Lydia Deetz embody the goth archetype perfectly! With archetypal characters, you can usually guess their personality to an extent. Sometimes, just at a glance! Tapping into the power of archetypes can help you create characters with ease. Plus, archetypal characters usually feel familiar and compelling. 

Whether you design your character’s looks or persona first, you’ll need to design your character. It may be tempting to put off designing your OC. It’s overwhelming to create a person from thin air! If you’re stuck right now, have faith in yourself. Sooner or later, you’ll have tons of character design ideas! Brainstorming, experimenting, and remembering to have fun can help you get unstuck. 

Let’s say you already jumped into character design, but something feels…off. You can’t seem to put your finger on what’s wrong. I’m gonna ask you a simple question that could help you figure out what’s gone wrong. Did you use the fundamentals of character design when you created this character? If you’re not sure, the answer is probably no. Plenty of characters are just fine as they are, don’t get me wrong. However, if your character needs an update, give those fundamentals a look, too! 

Maybe you have a solid character design already, but you don’t have a good grasp on your OC’s personality. No bueno. This is a really common problem I’ve noticed with many artists. We’ve all been there: doodling away, drawing a random person’s face. Then, someone asks, ‘Who is that?’ and all you can do is shrug. For some people, especially artists, designing is easier than writing. So, we end up with a ton of flat, ‘paper doll’ characters. Using character development activities can help your characters be more 3D. Doing these will help you pin down who your character is. Then, you can have a cute character and understand them, too! 

If you’re still not sure what archetype your character fits into, there’s one last thing you can try. Experiment! Maybe your character fits into an unexpected archetype. Try out drawing unique poses or other out of the box ideas to see if your warrior is better suited to be a cheerleader!

Letting Common Character Archetypes work for you!

The reason you see the same archetypes over and over is simple. They work. Audiences enjoy maidens, heroes, and warriors. Now, that doesn’t mean that all heroes have to wear capes. An archetype isn’t just a carbon copy of a character or concept. It’s more of a frame to build on. Multiple characters from the same archetype can be wildly different! The point of choosing an archetype is not to bypass making a character’s personality. It’s being intentional with what role your character will play in the plot. That’s one reason why archetypes are discussed in literature! So, take a look at this list of common character archetypes. Maybe inspiration will strike! 

 Protagonists and Heroes: The Best Main Character Archetypes

• The Hero - The main protagonist who goes on an adventure and faces challenges.some text
  • Examples: Harry Potter, Frodo Baggins, Katniss Everdeen.some text
    • Let’s take a look at one of these examples. Harry Potter is the main character, but what makes him the hero archetype? The hero archetype is all about a character who goes on an adventure and faces tough obstacles. Harry Potter is that kind of character. He is the central figure in his story. Plus, he has to battle against evil forces that threaten him and the people he cares about. Harry's courage and determination make him a classic example of a hero.
• The Warrior - A skilled fighter devoted to a cause.some text
  • Examples: Achilles, Arya Stark, Wonder Woman.some text
    • So, Wonder Woman is a warrior? Yup! Wonder Woman is a skilled fighter. She’s devoted to her mission of helping people and fighting against evil. What’s more warrior-like than that? She is an expert in combat and uses her incredible powers to protect the innocent. What makes her a warrior? Her commitment to her cause and her ability to overcome any challenge, of course! 
• The Survivor - Overcomes adversity through resilience.some text
  • Examples: Katniss Everdeen, Offred in The Handmaid's Tale, Pi Patel.some text
    • The survivor faces extreme challenges and hardships, but keeps going no matter what. Ring, ring…yup, that’s Katniss Everdeen calling. She has to compete in a terrifying competition where only one person can win. The situation is incredibly difficult and dangerous. Despite that, Katniss uses her skills and courage to keep surviving. This is why she is a classic example of the survivor archetype.
• The Explorer - Driven by curiosity to discover the unknown.some text
  • Examples: Indiana Jones, Tinker Bell, and Captain James T. Kirk.some text
    • Let’s face it. Indiana Jones is the ultimate explorer character. A character who loves to go on adventures and discover new and exciting things is an explorer for sure. Indiana Jones travels to far-off places, often facing great dangers. All in the name of discovering rare and important historical artifacts. He’s curious, resourceful, and passionate. What more does an explorer need to be?
• The Innocent - A naive and pure character. Examples: Forrest Gump, Dobby the House Elf, Dorothy Gale.some text
  • Innocent archetypal characters are pure, naive, and sometimes childlike.  Dobby the elf embodies this archetype perfectly. He’s a loyal and trusting creature who has an unwavering moral compass. Dobby is always trying to help others, even if it puts him at risk. He’s childlike, selfless, and never compromises his principles. This little free elf is a classic example of an innocent character!
• The Orphan - A character who lost parents or lacked guidance.some text
  • Examples: Harry Potter, Batman, Oliver Twist.some text
    • “Please, sir, I want some more.” We’ve all heard some version of the classic little line. Oliver Twist is a perfect orphan archetype. He is a young boy who has lost both of his parents. Now, he must survive on his own in our harsh world. Oliver faces many hardships. Still, he never gives up hope of finding a loving home and family. This, plus the fact that Oliver Twist is a literal orphan, means he fits this label well.

 Guides and Supporters: Common Archetypes In Literature

• The Mentor - A wise guide who provides wisdom and training to the hero.some text
  • Examples: Gandalf, Dumbledore, Mr. Miyagi.some text
    • Mentors are usually older, wiser characters. They guide protagonists along their journey. Let’s focus on Dumbledore. He’s a wise and powerful wizard. And, more importantly, he’s a mentor to the young Harry Potter. He uses his knowledge and experience to guide and advise Harry. Thus, helping him navigate the challenges he faces. Mentors are willing  to share their wisdom. They often believe in their mentee’s potential. Dumbledore plays an important role in shaping Harry's journey. So, he’s a perfect example of the mentor archetype.
• The Sage - A teacher or source of wisdom.some text
  • Examples: Yoda, Merlin, Professor Dumbledore.some text
    • Yoda is a wise and ancient Jedi Master who embodies the sage archetype. He has a deep understanding of the Force and the ways of the Jedi. He uses this knowledge to guide and instruct others. Yoda's wisdom and role as a teacher make him a classic example of the sage character.
• The Caregiver - A nurturing figure who provides support.some text
  • Examples: Samwise Gamgee, Molly Weasley, Aunt May.some text
    • Caregivers are kind and parental. They want the best for the protagonist, and want to help in any way they can. Aunt May is the nurturing guardian of Peter Parker. (AKA, your friendly neighborhood Spiderman) She provides a nice home for Peter, where he can feel safe and loved. Aunt May selflessly dedicates herself to caring for and protecting her nephew. Yup, even in the face of hardship. This fact alone makes her a prime example of the caregiver archetype.
• The Creator - An inventor, artist or innovator. some text
  • Examples: Q from Star Trek, Willy Wonka, Tony Stark.some text
    • Creators…well, they create! Willy Wonka created the most fantastical chocolate factory ever built. (Plus, the everlasting Gobstopper…I mean, those things are crazy good!) Wonka is a creator of candy, and of chocolate. For that, he fits this archetype perfectly!

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• The Guardian - A protector who defends others.some text
  • Examples: Gandalf, Hagrid, Neville Longbottom.some text
    • Guardians are sort of like caregivers. The main difference is that guardians are more interested in keeping you safe. On the other hand, caregivers want you to feel safe. All in all, guardians are   focused on nurturing and safeguarding others. Hagrid perfectly fits this description. He’s loyal, protective, and nurturing. Hagrid protects the children at Hogwarts out of genuine care for them. (Plus, it’s his job.)

Rebels, Tricksters, and Villains: Common Archetypes for the Bad Guys

• The Outlaw - A rebel who defies conventions and operates outside the law.some text
  • Examples: Robin Hood, Han Solo, Mal Reynolds.some text
    • Outlaws may break the law, but they’re not always bad. I mean, not all laws are exactly moral. Sure, Robin Hood breaks the law. But is charity such a crime? He’s a heroic outlaw who steals from the rich and powerful. Then, he gives the stolen spoils to the poor. What makes Robin Hood fit into this archetype is his defiance of the law, and his playful nature.
• The Jester/Trickster - A comedic character who mocks authority.some text
  • Examples: Puck, The Fool in King Lear, Bugs Bunny.some text
    • Jesters or tricksters are, well, tricky. They have tons of tricks up their sleeves to get under your skin. Bugs Bunny knows jusssst how to mess with his rival: Elmer Fudd. The fact that Bugs Bunny is an expert in trickery makes him the perfect candidate for this archetype.
• The Shapeshifter - A character who undergoes a profound transformation.some text
  • Examples: Ebeneezer Scrooge, Walter White, Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde.some text
    • What better example of a shapeshifter is there than Dr. Jekyll? He quite literally changes before our very eyes! It’s obvious how he fits into this archetype. Still, it’s good to keep in mind that some shapeshifters will have an internal transformation. Sometimes, change can be invisible. An example of that invisible change would be in Walter White’s story. Don’t worry! No spoilers here! 
• The Destroyer - A force of chaos, ruin or death.some text
  • Examples: The Joker, Sauron, Agent Smith.some text
    • The Joker is a classic example of the destroyer archetype. He is a villain who delights in causing disorder, destruction, and mayhem. The Joker's sole purpose is to tear down the established order and watch society crumble. His desire for total chaos makes him the perfect destroyer.
• The Seducer/Temptress - Uses charm and sexuality to manipulate.some text
  • Examples: Circe, Jessica Rabbit.some text
    • Imagine a seductress. A sultry woman, dripping with sex appeal. Did you think about Jessica Rabbit? She’s one of the hottest characters ever drawn, and for good reason! Seductresses are characters that leech sex appeal. They use their sultriness as a tool. Sometimes, to manipulate others. Not all temptresses are bad. Some are just drawn that way.
• The Evil Ruler - A leader, monarch or authority figure that takes extremes to maintain their order. Examples: President Snow (The Hunger Games), The Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland), Dolores Umbridge (Harry Potter)some text
  • The Queen of Hearts is a character who fits the evil ruler archetype very well. She is Wonderland’s queen who demands complete submission from her subjects. The Queen has a terrible temper, too. She cruelly punishes anyone who dares to challenge her authority. “Off with their heads!” she so famously says. The red queen’s willingness to use violence to stay in control makes her a classic evil ruler.

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Wrapping up

Now that you know all about archetypes, it's time to put that knowledge into good use. So, get to making characters! Before you jump right in, though, consider CharacterHub. There, you can create detailed profiles for all of your OCs. It’s a totally customizable way to organize information about your characters! In it, you can include their archetypes, personality traits, backstory, and much more. It's the perfect way to breathe life into your cast of characters and make them feel real. To get started designing your next unforgettable character, click here!