Character Functions According to Northrop Frye

Ethos
(World
of
Myth)

Romanc
e

Tragedy

Degree of
Realism
None: total
dreamworld of
desire

Very little:
characters
divided into
good/bad to
illustrate
conflict of plot

Realistic

Alazon

Eiron

Buffoons

Impostors:
(see themselves as
greater than they are)

Self-Deprecators:
(see themselves as less
than they are)

Sub-Alazons

EX: Satan, Leviathan

EX: Christ

Enemies of Quest:
giants, ogres, evil
magicians, sirens,
witches

Hero/Heronie;

EX: Darth Vadar,

Sauron, Sauraman

EX: Obi Wan Kenobi,

Gandalf

EX: R2D2, 3CPO, elves

Nemesis or fate,
sooothsayer or other
agent of wrathful gods

Supplient who
provides vision of
unmitigated suffering
and helplessness

Hero who is selfdeceived, arrogant, too

proud
EX: Macbeth, Lear,
Oedipus

Comedy

Realistic

Blocking Figures such

as heavy father, senex
iratus, pedant, or
Humor:
Characcter driven by
one passion
EX: Archie Bunker

Helpers on Quest: good

magician, fairy godmother

EX: Tiresius
Hero / Heroine, Vice or
Scheme Hatchers,
trickster / valet who helps
hero
EX: Puck
Benevolent hermit
father figures
EX: Duke in Measure for
Measure

romantic ploy
(function to intensify
main mood)
Sprits of nature
(nymphs et al)
characters who
increase sense of
wonder, magic

EX: Jocasta, Ophelia,

Cordelia

Clowns who increase

mood of festivity, Cook,
jovial host
EX: Falstaf

Agroikoi
Sub-Eirons
realistic ploy
(function to break mood
and direct plot back to
reality)
Realistic Counter
Companion who calls
attention to fear; jester
who deflates romantic
ideals
EX: Han Solo, Samwise
Critic of Tragic action
who resists tragic
movement;
Comic relief
EX: Porter in Macbeth,
Fool in Lear

Straight Man, Killjoy,

Prig, Simple Man
walks away from festivity
EX: Jacques in As You
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