Character

Archetypes
What traits do the different
character archetypes have?
 Throughout the semester, we
will update this powerpoint as a
class when we learn about a
Powerpoint new archetype. You can use this
powerpoint to review the
Overview different archetypes and to help
you identify character
archetypes in our texts for your
double entry reading journal.
Click the arrow next to the topic you would like
to learn more about.

The Hero The Innocent/The Ingenue

The Mentor The Caregiver

The Sidekick The Ruler

The Hero
The Hero is usually (but not always) the protagonist or main character
of the story
The Hero is trying to achieve some ultimate objective and must
encounter and overcome obstacles along the way in order to achieve that
goal.
Heroes also usually defeat some evil or foe in order to achieve their
goal; they are the “good guy” of the story.

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The Mentor
• The Mentor is usually an older character who guides the hero on their
journey or trains them in a specific skill to fulfill their goal
• This character often has some kind of magic or a much greater
knowledge than the Hero.
• This character will often die before or during the hero’s journey.

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The Sidekick
• This character is usually the best friend or assistant to the main
character/hero,.
• Sidekick characters are almost always seen with their counterpart; they
have less authority or importance than their partner.

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The Innocent / Ingenue
• This character is typically young or a child.
• They are pure in every way despite the dark circumstances of the
story.
• This character is often the younger sibling to the main character/hero
or are someone that the hero is seeking to protect from the dangers of
the world.

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The Villain / Antagonist
• Often this character is depicted as being evil. Sometimes, however, the
antagonist of a story isn’t necessarily “Evil”
• This character typically has flawed actions or flawed thought
processes with a clear reason behind those actions or thought
processes.
• This character wants to stop the Hero from achieving their goal.

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The Caregiver
• This character can be similar to the Mentor. This character is also
sometimes out protagonist.
• This character can be a mother, father, wife, husband, sibling, best
friend, etc.
• Whoever the character is, they will do anything to protect their loved
one.

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The Ruler
• A role model for others to emulate
• Seeks to help others secure prosperity and security
• Seeks to prevent chaos by taking control

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