A wise figure with knowledge for those who inquire. The mother figure or mentor is often based on this archetype.

• Strengths: wisdom, experience, insight

• Weaknesses: cautious, hesitant to actually join the action

• Famous sages: 

  1. Athena (The Odyssey)

  2. Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars)

  3. Mr. Miyagi (The Karate Kid)

  4. Haymitch Abernathy (The Hunger Games)

A morally pure character, often a child, whose only intentions are good.

• Strengths: morality, kindness, sincerity

• Weaknesses: vulnerable, naive, rarely skilled

• Innocent Archetype Examples: 

  1. Tiny Tim (A Christmas Carol)

  2. Dobby (Harry Potter Series)

  3. Rue (The Hunger Games)

  4. Buddy the Elf (Elf)

A character naturally driven to push the boundaries of the status quo and explore the unknown.

• Strengths: curious, driven, motivated by self-improvement

• Weaknesses: restless, unreliable, never satisfied

• Explorer Archetype Examples: 

  1. Odysseus (The Odyssey)

  2. Indiana Jones (Indiana Jones Series)

  3. Moana (Moana)

  4. Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes)

A character with legal or emotional power over others.

• Strengths: omnipotence, status, resources

• Weaknesses: aloofness, disliked by others, out of touch

• Ruler Archetype Examples:   

  1. T'Challa (Black Panther)

  2. Mufasa (The Lion King)

  3. Miranda Priestly (The Devil Wears Prada)

  4. Daenerys Targaryen (Game of Thrones)

A motivated visionary who creates art or structures during the narrative.

• Strengths: creativity, willpower, conviction

• Weaknesses: self-involvement, single-mindedness, lack of practical skills

• Creator Archetype Examples:

  1. Hiccup (How to Train Your Dragon)

  2. Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown (Back to the Future)

  3. Remy (Ratatouille)

  4. Dr. Victor Frankenstein (Frankenstein)

A character who continually supports others and makes sacrifices on their behalf.

• Strengths: honorable, selfless, loyal

• Weaknesses: lacking personal ambition or leadership

• Caregiver Archetype Examples:

  1. Molly Weasley (Harry Potter Series)

  2. Marlin (Finding Nemo)

  3. Wendy (Peter Pan)

  4. Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins)

A funny character or trickster who provides comic relief, but may also speak important truths.

• Strengths: funny, disarming, insightful

• Weaknesses: can be obnoxious and superficial

• Jester Archetype Examples: 

  1. Chandler Bing (F.R.I.E.N.D.S.)

  2. Loki (Marvel Universe)

  3. Timon & Pumbaa (The Lion King)

  4. R2D2 & C-3PO (Star Wars)

The romantic lead who’s guided by the heart.

• Strengths: humanism, passion, conviction

• Weaknesses: naivete, irrationality

• Lover Archetype Examples:

  1. Romeo and Juliet (Romeo and Juliet)

  2. Peeta Mellark (The Hunger Games)

  3. Jack Dawson (Titanic)

  4. Ariel (The Little Mermaid)

A relatable character who feels recognizable from daily life.

• Strengths: grounded, salt-of-the-earth, relatable

• Weaknesses: lacking special powers, often unprepared for what’s to come

• Everyman Archetype Examples:

  1. Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit)

  2. Lilo (Lilo and Stitch)

  3. Leslie Knope (Parks & Recreation)

  4. Jim Halpert (The Office)

The rebel who won’t abide by society’s demands.

• Strengths: independent thinking, virtue, owes no favors

• Weaknesses: self-involved, potentially criminal

• Outlaw Archetype Examples: 

  1. Han Solo (Star Wars)

  2. Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games)

  3. Phoebe Buffay (F.R.I.E.N.D.S.)

  4. Batman(The Dark Knight)

A powerful figure who has harnessed the ways of the universe to achieve key goals.

• Strengths: omniscience, omnipotence, discipline

• Weaknesses: corruptibility, arrogance

• Magician Archetype Examples: 

  1. Doctor Strange (Marvel Universe)

  2. Gandalf (The Lord of the Rings)

  3. Morpheus (The Matrix)

  4. Dumbledore (Harry Potter Series)

The protagonist who rises to meet a challenge and saves the day.

• Strengths: courage, perseverance, honor

• Weaknesses: overconfidence, hubris (pride)

• Hero Archetype Examples:

  1. Achilles (The Iliad)

  2. Luke Skywalker (Star Wars)

  3. Wonder Woman (Wonder Woman)

  4. Harry Potter (Harry Potter Series)