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Character Types Lesson 01

The document outlines different character types in storytelling, categorizing them as protagonists or antagonists, dynamic or static, and round or flat. Protagonists are the main characters, while antagonists oppose them; dynamic characters undergo significant change, whereas static characters do not. Round characters are well-developed with emotional depth, while flat characters lack complexity and depth.

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9 views

Character Types Lesson 01

The document outlines different character types in storytelling, categorizing them as protagonists or antagonists, dynamic or static, and round or flat. Protagonists are the main characters, while antagonists oppose them; dynamic characters undergo significant change, whereas static characters do not. Round characters are well-developed with emotional depth, while flat characters lack complexity and depth.

Uploaded by

abidmukhaa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Character Types

Overview
A character can either be…

Protagonist or Antagonist
Dynamic or Static
Round or Flat

We will examine each of these terms.


Protagonist
The main character in a story

Example
The boy in "The Boy Who Cried Wolf"
Cinderella in "Cinderella"

The protagonist can be a "good" character, but does not


always have to be. Can you think of a story where the
main character is not necessarily "good"?
Antagonist
The character or group of characters that stands
against the protagonist.

Example
The Wolf from "The Boy Who Cried Wolf"
Cinderella's wicked stepmother from "Cinderella"

The antagonist is usually considered to be "bad," but


this is not always true. Sometimes he or she may just
have something to learn.
Dynamic Character
A character who has an important inner change
Example
At the beginning of the story, Jenny does not appreciate the life that
she has until a family emergency causes her to stay at her aunt's
house. Things are much different at her aunt's house and everyone
who lives there appreciates everything that they get, since they
don't get very much. When Jenny is finally able to return home, she
has a new perspective and a more appreciative attitude.

Notice that Jenny didn't just change her shoes or something little?
She underwent a serious and important change in the course of the
story; therefore, she is a dynamic character.
Static Character
A character that does not change significantly.

Example
Mr. Hero was defending the streets of Urbanity City during
one of Despair-O's attacks. Despair-O built an army of robot
ninjas and was using them to steal money and valuables. Mr.
Hero fell for one of Despair-O's tricks and was captured;
however, he soon devised a clever escape trick, shut down
Despair-O's robot army, and captured the villain.
Did you notice that neither Mr. Hero nor Despair-O make any
significant character changes throughout the course of the
text? This makes them static characters.
Round Character
A well-developed, lifelike character with realistic emotions,
conflicting feelings, and multiple traits.

Example
Carrie doesn't know what to do. She thinks that her friend
Veronica may be getting abused. Carrie keeps finding large
bruises and marks on her legs and arms. When she tries to talk
to Veronica about this, Veronica covers the marks and tells Carrie
that she can’t talk about it. Carrie is concerned that if she doesn't
do anything, it might get worse, but she also doesn't want to do
anything to threaten her friendship with Veronica.

Carrie demonstrates multiple, realistic sides to her personality.


She is emotionally conflicted. This makes her a round character.
Flat Character
One-dimensional character that does not display emotional
depth and has a single set of traits.

Example
Ricardo had an evil plan. First, he would rob the bank to get
money. Then he would buy weapons and raise and army.
Then he would kidnap the princess and tie her to some train
tracks. Lastly, he would twist the ends of his long mustache
between his thumb and forefinger while laughing.
Ricardo is a villain with little depth. We know that he is evil,
but we do not learn why. No internal struggle with his morality
is revealed; therefore, he is a flat character.
Review
• All characters are either dynamic or static, depending
on whether they make important changes.

• All characters are either round or flat, depending on


how emotionally developed each is.

• A character can be either a protagonist, an antagonist,


or neither, depending on whether they are the main
character, against the main character, or neither.

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