Most Favorite/Least Favorite characters
Posted: August 18th, 2012, 10:49 am
So I was thinking about writing the other day, and it occurred to me that there are lots of great character types out there that are used over and over. Or at least some of the elements of these characters are used over and over.
I started a list by asking myself (and my husband): "Who is your favorite character? What about least favorite?"
Here's my list:
Mr. Wickham (of Pride & Prejudice)-at first he seems wonderful, but then he turns out to be the villain. This type of character is most interesting if the main character discovers Wickham's evil ways before the rest of the characters, allowing the reader to know just what sort of a fellow he is while the other characters fumble along, trusting them like the saps they are.
Kronk (of The Emperor's New Grove)/Bolin (of The Legend of Korra)-this character is big, dumb, and loveable. He creates laughs and relieves tension and is truly a worthwhile character because he also has unexpected moments of brilliance or usefulness.
Dolores Umbridge (of Harry Potter fame)-she is just so darn evil, and she has the main character right where she wants him. The reader wants to help the main character but is helpless against Umbridge's pure evil. Her appearance is a contradiction to her evil nature. She is not even a very powerful person in her own right, but because of the situation, she is all-powerful, and she makes the life of the main character miserable.
Hobbes (of Calvin & Hobbes)-he is clever and makes you laugh. He is the best friend who lives in the background of Calvin's larger than life persona. People relate to the way Calvin feels, but Hobbes can see the full truth of the situation and says something hilarious that puts the whole world in perspective. Hobbes is downright insightful.
Snape (of Harry Potter)-unrequited love is a very moving thing. Snape's love gives his life purpose, and, in the end, you feel so much for him. He's also interesting because he is a villain too. Even though he turns out to be a hero, I think he made Harry's life miserable enough to consider him the secondary villain of several of the books. Fascinating character.
Miss Havisham (of Great Expectations)-the twisted side of unrequited love. An obsessive, insane character who cannot get over past disappointments. For an insane person who lives in the past, she's remarkable good at plotting.
Elizabeth Bennet (of Pride & Prejudice)-ok, so I love Lizzy. I don't think she's quite so fascinating/unusual as the others on the list, but I needed one positive female character! She's sarcastic and smart. She's a great sister, and a woman who learns from her mistakes. She also has a "fine set of eyes," and you love her so much that you're ridiculously happy when she gets her Happily Ever After (or at least I do). She is a flawed person, but you understand how she makes her mistakes and you love her for the way she tries to be a better person.
So who do you think are great archetypal characters?
*I actually put much of this on my blog, but I'd love to have some other peoples' thoughts on their favorite/least favorite characters & I have a new blog, so I know that's not going to happen there.
I started a list by asking myself (and my husband): "Who is your favorite character? What about least favorite?"
Here's my list:
Mr. Wickham (of Pride & Prejudice)-at first he seems wonderful, but then he turns out to be the villain. This type of character is most interesting if the main character discovers Wickham's evil ways before the rest of the characters, allowing the reader to know just what sort of a fellow he is while the other characters fumble along, trusting them like the saps they are.
Kronk (of The Emperor's New Grove)/Bolin (of The Legend of Korra)-this character is big, dumb, and loveable. He creates laughs and relieves tension and is truly a worthwhile character because he also has unexpected moments of brilliance or usefulness.
Dolores Umbridge (of Harry Potter fame)-she is just so darn evil, and she has the main character right where she wants him. The reader wants to help the main character but is helpless against Umbridge's pure evil. Her appearance is a contradiction to her evil nature. She is not even a very powerful person in her own right, but because of the situation, she is all-powerful, and she makes the life of the main character miserable.
Hobbes (of Calvin & Hobbes)-he is clever and makes you laugh. He is the best friend who lives in the background of Calvin's larger than life persona. People relate to the way Calvin feels, but Hobbes can see the full truth of the situation and says something hilarious that puts the whole world in perspective. Hobbes is downright insightful.
Snape (of Harry Potter)-unrequited love is a very moving thing. Snape's love gives his life purpose, and, in the end, you feel so much for him. He's also interesting because he is a villain too. Even though he turns out to be a hero, I think he made Harry's life miserable enough to consider him the secondary villain of several of the books. Fascinating character.
Miss Havisham (of Great Expectations)-the twisted side of unrequited love. An obsessive, insane character who cannot get over past disappointments. For an insane person who lives in the past, she's remarkable good at plotting.
Elizabeth Bennet (of Pride & Prejudice)-ok, so I love Lizzy. I don't think she's quite so fascinating/unusual as the others on the list, but I needed one positive female character! She's sarcastic and smart. She's a great sister, and a woman who learns from her mistakes. She also has a "fine set of eyes," and you love her so much that you're ridiculously happy when she gets her Happily Ever After (or at least I do). She is a flawed person, but you understand how she makes her mistakes and you love her for the way she tries to be a better person.
So who do you think are great archetypal characters?
*I actually put much of this on my blog, but I'd love to have some other peoples' thoughts on their favorite/least favorite characters & I have a new blog, so I know that's not going to happen there.