Character in literature refers to the individuals who populate a story, bringing it to life through their actions, thoughts, dialogue, and relationships. Characters are the central elements of a narrative, and their development, personalities, and experiences contribute to the themes and messages the author aims to convey.
Learn what a character is in a story, and how to identify different types of characters, such as protagonist, antagonist, foil, and more. See examples of characters in literature, television, and movies.
Learn what a character is and how it functions in a story. Explore the different types of characters, such as protagonist, antagonist, dynamic, static, round, and flat, with examples from famous works of literature.
By Cassandra Pinkney. There are good guys. There are bad guys. And then, there are the Thunderbolts. Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* follows the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s least anticipated band of misfits as they team up against an enemy unlike any the world has ever seen (and that’s saying something).The film features a star-studded cast of some of the MCU’s fan favorites, as well as ...
4. Orbital Characters in Fiction. Third in importance behind the protagonist and the sidekick, this character is usually an instigator, causing trouble for the protagonist and giving him plenty of opportunity to shine. Sometimes he also turns out to be the antagonist. Orbital Character examples:
Characters are the beings—human or otherwise—that populate your story. They’re the ones who speak, act, and shape the narrative. But characters are more than just tools for moving the plot along. They’re the heart and soul of a story, serving as stand-ins for real people, complete with: Desires; Flaws; Strengths, and; Complex emotions.
The artist wanted to character the piece with a signature engraving. The city's unique character lies in its vibrant culture and history. Each character in the novel represents a different aspect of humanity. He studied the typographic characters to understand their origins. The building’s architectural character is a blend of old and new styles.
A Guide to the Characters in the Show’s Fourth Season. By Emma Specter. April 25, 2025. Photo: Courtesy of Max. Save. Save. Thursdays are great for many reasons: they ...
The meaning of CHARACTER is one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual. How to use character in a sentence. Traits of Character Synonym Discussion of Character.
While John Stamos does not return as Dr. Nicky, who Joe framed for killing Beck after she had an affair with him in Season 1, the character’s son is a key figure in the plot of Season 5.
Different Types of Characters Based on Their Roles. These are types of characters in a story, listed by what literary role they serve. These are the types of terms you’ve probably heard of in English class or in an editorial review.. We often refer to the roster of characters in a novel as a ‘cast,’ and in any cast, there are bound to be different parts—this is what they’re called.
Great character arcs are built on transformation, and one of the most powerful frameworks for understanding this journey is the four stages of knowing in character arcs. These stages map a character’s growth through initiation to enlightenment to integration in a way that feels deeply satisfying to readers.
Four commedia dell'arte characters, whose costumes and demeanor indicate the stock character roles that they portray in this genre. In fiction, a character (also role) is a person or other being in a narrative (such as a novel, play, radio or television series, music, film, or video game). [1] [2] [3] The character may be entirely fictional or based on a real-life person, in which case the ...
At the core of all great storytelling lies a compelling array of character types. A main character should be three dimensional and compelling; they should be the kind of dynamic character that readers and viewers can spend days with and not grow bored. Equally important are supporting characters, from sidekicks to love interests to parental figures to villains and anti-heroes. There are three ...
A character also may be a protagonist or antagonist. Let’s look at F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby for examples of character types. Note that the characters in the novel are more complex than what I simply state here, and that Gatsby faces other antagonists—such as class, bourgeois snobbery, and the progression of time itself. ...
Round characters are quite similar to dynamic characters with one slight difference. Dynamic characters usually exhibit a clear change—they evolve or change for the better. Round characters, on the other hand, are multi-layered, showing their strong personalities from the start. A perfect example of this is Severus Snape from Harry Potter.
A stock character is a character that fills a predetermined role in an archetypal story. These are often used as a framework upon which to build new characters, or to convey a thematic social message. Many characters from classic stage plays and fairy tales are stock characters.
This status quo shift saw a single Peter Parker mingling with a new cast of characters. His old best friend, Harry Osborn, returned from Europe (retconning his death as the Green Goblin in 1993 ...