12 Character Archetypes Every Actor Should Know

Summary

This video introduces 12 major character archetypes found in literature, film, and theater, exploring what drives them. Archetypes such as the Sage, Innocent, Explorer, Ruler, Caregiver, Creator, Magician, Hero, Rebel, Joker, Orphan, and Lover are explained in detail, outlining their core desires, fears, strengths, and weaknesses. The video offers examples of how these archetypes manifest in different characters, helping viewers understand their traits and motivations. It encourages viewers to reflect on which archetype resonates most with them.

Takeaways

• 💡 Archetypes are broad categories that most characters in plays, movies, and literature fit into, helping to define their roles and motivations.
• 🧙‍♂️ The Sage is a wise mentor, often old and knowledgeable, who helps the protagonist discover truths about themselves or the world, but can be overly perfectionistic and indecisive.
• 👶 The Innocent is a hopeful, trusting character who desires happiness and fears being abandoned. They often lack strength and are easily exploited.
• 🌍 The Explorer is an adventurous individualist who seeks freedom and new experiences, often restless and driven by a desire to avoid conformity and emptiness.
• 👑 The Ruler values power and control, striving to maintain order and authority. They can be benevolent leaders or strict tyrants, but fear chaos and being overthrown.
• ❤️ The Caregiver is nurturing, selfless, and protective, often putting others' needs before their own. However, they can be exploited or become martyrs.
• 🎨 The Creator is imaginative, seeking to leave a legacy through their work. They fear mediocrity and can be perfectionists, often prioritizing their creations over relationships.
• 🧙‍♀️ The Magician can be good or manipulative, striving to make dreams come true and exert their will on the world. They fear negative consequences from their actions.
• 🦸‍♂️ The Hero is courageous and determined, often fighting for honor and justice. Their biggest fear is weakness, and they can be overly arrogant or battle-hungry.
• ⚔️ The Rebel resists authority and seeks to challenge the status quo, but they can be reckless, self-destructive, and struggle with finding direction.

Q & A

What is an archetype and how many major archetypes are there?

An archetype is a broad category that encompasses a certain type of character. Most characters in plays, movies, and literature fit into one or more of these twelve archetypes.

What is the role of a Sage in a story?

A Sage is a wise, usually old mentor that helps the protagonist discover something about themselves, train in a skill, or learn something new about the world. They are knowledgeable, intelligent, and analytical.

What are the fears of the Innocent character archetype?

Innocents fear being left out, abandoned, or being unhappy. They also fear getting punished or doing someone wrong.

What motivates the Explorer archetype and what do they fear?

Explorers are motivated by the desire for freedom and seeking new experiences. They fear being trapped and hate conformity.

How do the Rulers in stories typically behave and what do they fear?

Rulers seek power and control over others, striving for excellence or becoming tyrants. They fear chaos, not getting their way, and being overthrown.

What is the primary goal of the Caregiver archetype?

The Caregiver's primary goal is to help and protect others. They are nurturing, caring, compassionate, and generous.

What are the characteristics of the Creator archetype?

Creators are often artists or artisans who seek to create something that will endure. They are imaginative, self-sufficient, and want to leave a legacy.

What does the Magician archetype represent and what are their fears?

The Magician represents visionary characters who can make dreams come true. They fear negative consequences from their magic and making things worse.

What is the Hero archetype's motto and what motivates them?

The Hero's motto is 'Where there's a will, there's a way.' They are motivated by the desire to prove their worth through courageous acts and to improve the world.

How do Rebels differ from other archetypes and what do they fear?

Rebels live by their own moral code, breaking rules that don't work for them. They fear being powerless or ineffectual.

What is the Joker archetype's approach to life and what do they fear?

The Joker archetype enjoys life and seeks to lighten the load of the world with humor. They fear being bored or appearing boring.

What challenges do Orphans face in their journey and what do they fear?

Orphans, often parentless or self-reliant, face the challenge of discovering how they fit in. They fear abandonment and being ostracized.

What is the primary desire of the Lover archetype and what are their weaknesses?

Lovers desire intimacy and to be with the object of their affection. Their weaknesses include a desire to please others at their own expense and turning love into an obsession.