The Five Comic Character Archetypes
What is an Archetype? An archetype is an original model of a person, an ideal example or a prototype on which others are copied, modeled or emulated; a symbol universally recognized by all.
In comic personality analysis, which is what we’re about to do, an archetype refers to a “stereotype” and/or an “epitome” (someone who fits the definition of a stereotype perfectly).
I’ll be referring to these comedic character archetypes in reference to TV sitcoms, specifically Friends, as everyone knows who these characters are, if only because their girlfriends and wives forced you to watch them.
The five comic character archetypes are:
1. The joker
has. This character can’t help but make fun of other people or find humor in even the darkest of situations. This character has a contentious relationship with Bully and/or Charmer, although they are often best friends. (i.e. Chandler and Joey. Chandler is the “Wisecracker” and Joey is the “Bully/Charmer”)
2. The charmer
has. Usually a lover and a player. Sometimes sophisticated and sometimes far from it. (ie Joey)
3. The Square
has. This is usually the central protagonist of a story and most of his comedic moments come from his reaction to a particular situation or one of the other characters. (ie Rachel)
4. The Idiot
has. The jerk or nerd doesn’t have to look like Steve Urkel, but compared to the other characters in your story, he’s the biggest and most obvious “jerk/nerd” by far. (i.e. Ross)
5. The fool
has. This is usually the dumbest or dumbest person in history. She is often the youngest character, who is usually an airhead. (ie Phoebe)
There are other less common comedy archetypes that can be worked into a story:
• The bully: He usually doesn’t get along with the prankster. The stalker may not like all the other characters.
• The Stick: a character that is 1000 times more tense than the square.
• The Sage: An elderly and wise character who bestows his unsolicited wisdom on the younger and more naive characters in the story.
• The Bigmouth – Similar to the Bully, but nicer and much more annoying. He usually manages to irritate all the other characters. (Can someone say Janice!)
• The Precocious – This will be the youngest and cutest character who is nothing but sweet and adorable.
• The nosy or nosy neighbor
• The well-intentioned blue-collar worker
• The lovable loser
Stories that are based on comedy are usually self-contained because the story is based solely on these characters and, in a sitcom, is resolved at the end of the episode.
If you liked the content of this article, please visit my website at http://www.thestartingpointpodcast.com – David Grimes II, writer
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