Literature - Characterization

Here you will learn some English words related to characterization such as "archetype", "protagonist", and "love interest".

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Literature

the process by which a fictional character is portrayed and transformed throughout a story

someone or something serving as the very typical example of a thing or person

voice [noun]

the distinctive way a character's personality, beliefs, attitudes, and emotions are revealed through speech or thoughts

Ex: The villain 's voice revealed cunning and cruelty .

villainous character who strongly opposes another person or thing

Ex: The antagonist 's motivations were complex , driven by a deep-seated desire for power and revenge against the protagonist .
antihero [noun]

the main character in a movie, book, etc. who lacks heroic qualities such as being morally good

the events that have happened to a character before their story in a book, movie, etc. begins

Ex: Understanding the villain 's backstory added depth to the narrative , revealing the motivations behind their sinister deeds .

the transformation or development of a fictional character over the course of a story

hamartia [noun]

a negative trait or quality of a fictional character that leads to their downfall or contributes to their struggles or conflicts throughout the story

a negative trait or quality of a fictional character that leads to their downfall or contributes to their struggles or conflicts throughout the story

the way in which characters in a movie, book, etc. are created and represented by a writer

Ex: The film director used subtle visual cues and nuanced performances to achieve rich characterization in the movie , allowing viewers to connect with the characters on a deeper level .
hero [noun]

the main male character in a story, book, movie, etc., often known for his bravery and other great qualities

Ex: The hero of the movie was a courageous firefighter .

the psychological struggle that takes place within a character's mind or emotions

narrator [noun]

the person who tells the story in a novel, poem, etc.

Ex:

a fictional character, especially one who plays a significant role in a story or narrative

the main character in a movie, novel, TV show, etc.

Ex: The protagonist 's internal conflict drives the narrative forward as they grapple with difficult choices and confront their own flaws and insecurities .
villain [noun]

the main bad character in a movie, story, play, etc.

Ex: The villain ’s motives were revealed at the end of the story .

the attribution of human traits and feelings to objects, animals, or natural phenomena in art and literature

(of characters in a narrative) to speak directly to the audience or acknowledge that they are part of a fictional work

a character in a work of fiction who is thought to represent the author's personal beliefs, experiences, or opinions

a character in a work of fiction who is used to help the audience understand and relate to the story

a narrative technique in which the credibility and truthfulness of the narrator are called into question

a narrative technique in which the narrator is all-knowing and has access to the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of all the characters in the story

a fictional character, often portrayed as an angelic being, who represents a character's conscience or moral compass

a fictional character, often portrayed as an unethical being, who represents a character's inner voice of temptation

the perspective from which the narrator tells a story

Ex: The narrator 's point of view was biased , favoring the protagonist .

a person or an animal represented in a book, play, movie, etc.

Ex: Hamlet is a tragic character in Shakespeare ’s play .

a detailed explanation or description that clarifies the meaning or intent of a written work or discourse

Ex: The first chapter of the novel provided a necessary exposition , introducing the main characters and their backgrounds .
mood [noun]

the emotional atmosphere or feeling created by a piece of writing

fall [noun]

a sudden or significant decline in status, influence, fortune, or character

Ex: Corruption led to the senator 's fall .
reveal [noun]

the act or moment of disclosing previously hidden or unknown information to an audience

Ex: The film built suspense until the big reveal at the end .

an event or situation that creates a problem or obstacle for the protagonist or other characters in a story

relief [noun]

a feeling of ease or release that occurs after a period of tension, suspense, or stress in a story

Ex: Light-hearted dialogue gave relief following the climactic confrontation .

a character in a story who undergoes significant internal changes and growth over the course of the narrative

a character in a story who is not highly developed, and typically has only one or two distinguishing traits or characteristics

foil [noun]

a character in a literary work who contrasts with another character, usually the protagonist, to highlight specific traits of the latter

Ex: The loyal friend is a foil to the hero 's arrogance .
ingenue [noun]

a young, innocent, and naive character, often a young woman, in a story or play

a complex and multidimensional character in a story, who often undergoes significant growth and change throughout the narrative

a character in a work of fiction who remains the same from the beginning of the story to the end, without undergoing significant personal development or change

a stereotype or cliché character that is easily recognizable and often used in literature or other forms of media

a point of view in which the story is told from the perspective of a character using "I" or "we"

a point of view in which the story is told using "you" as the pronoun for the protagonist or narrator, making the reader or audience feel more involved in the story

a mode of storytelling where the narrator refers to characters using pronouns like "he" and "she" and is not a character in the story

Ex: The novel 's third-person narrative provided insight into the motivations of the antagonist , adding depth to the conflict .

a person who is romantically or emotionally involved with another person, often a central character in a story or narrative

Ex: They debated whether the hero 's love interest was necessary for the plot .
sidekick [noun]

a close companion or assistant to the protagonist of a work of fiction, who provides support, advice, or comic relief

a character who plays the role of a father, mentor, protector, or guide to a younger character

a character, usually female, who functions as a nurturing or guiding influence over the other characters, often acting in a maternal role

a person in whom one places trust and shares secrets or private thoughts and feelings

Ex: He became her confidant during a difficult time in her life .

the second most important character after the protagonist, and often plays a key role in the story's development

a character who appears in a supporting role and has minimal impact on the story

a character in literature who represents an idea or a concept beyond their literal meaning and functions as a symbol to convey deeper meanings and themes

heroine [noun]

the main female character in a story, book, film, etc., typically known for great qualities

Ex: The heroine of the book is a young girl with special abilities .
sage [noun]

a wise and insightful figure who offers guidance, advice, or philosophical reflection, often in stories or real life

Ex: She turned to her mentor , a sage figure in her life .
fool [noun]

a performer or entertainer in a royal court or other setting who is known for their humorous or nonsensical performances

everyman [noun]

a literary or dramatic character representing the ordinary individual, often placed in extraordinary circumstances and often used to evoke empathy in the audience

a fictional character archetype who, despite engaging in criminal activities, is sophisticated, charming, and often possesses a strong moral code that sets them apart from other criminals

a type of character archetype often used in storytelling, representing a wholesome and relatable male love interest who typically has a close connection to the protagonist

a character archetype that is often described as wholesome, down-to-earth, and relatable

a stock character often depicted as a sinister figure in literature and folklore who is usually the enemy of the hero