Hey, guys! Welcome to this Mometrix video on characters in literature.
Characters are an essential part to any literary work. They make the story possible, and, the way in which the characters are built, can help to bring the story to life.
In this video, we will take a look at the definition of a character (within literature), and then we will look at character development and the different types of characters.
What is a Character?
What is a literary character? A character is any animate figure within a story. So, things like plants and non-living objects would not normally be considered characters, unless of course these things have been personified and brought to life.
A character’s development speaks of the depth and complexity of a character. It’s possible that a character starts out thoroughly developed, or it may be that the author chooses to slowly develop that character as the plot unfolds. It can also be the case that a character starts out highly developed, but the reader is not made aware of certain aspects of their development until later.
Different Types of Characters
Main characters are essential to every story. Main characters are the characters with the most amount of influence on the plot or the characters that the plot has the most influence on.
There are a few different ways in which you can classify main characters in a story: flat or round characters, protagonist or antagonist, and dynamic or static characters.
Flat characters are often described as characters that are two-dimensional, meaning that they lack real depth or are not super complex, nor do they show much development throughout the story.
Round characters can be thought of as three-dimensional. These are the characters that are realistically complex and have depth that is identifiable and distinctly human-like. Round characters will show development in ways that engage or astound the reader.
A protagonist is always a main character in the story. The protagonist prompts a story’s action and captivates the reader’s attention. In most cases, the protagonist is the character that the readers will experience empathy for. He or she is generally the hero or heroine and is very well-developed, complex, and relatable. This is the character that the plot builds around.
The antagonist is directly opposite to the protagonist. The antagonist works against the protagonist. They are usually the bad guy or girl in the story. The antagonist generally evokes disapproval within the reader and generally works to add to the reader’s empathy towards the protagonist. The antagonist also helps to create action and move the plot.
Dynamic characters are directly connected to character development and refer to a character who undergoes change within a story. They are characters that the reader watches develop. Most often, a protagonist is a dynamic character. For example, a character may start out closed off, and throughout the course of the story, they begin to let some of those walls down.
Unlike dynamic characters, a static character is a character who does not change. A static character is often times the antagonist in the story. They refuse to change their actions or the way that they think; they are stuck in their ways. Their purpose is generally to show a contrast to dynamic characters.
Now, let’s spend a little bit of time looking at how round and dynamic characters are different, and how flat and static characters are different.
Character Comparisons
A round character is a character who is three-dimensional, or very complex and realistic. However, a character can start off as a round character, but not change. If a character has depth and is complex it is a round character, and if it does not undergo a change, then it is a static and round character. If a character is complex and realistic but also undergoes change, then it would be a dynamic and round character.
So, a dynamic character is just a character who undergoes change, and a round character is just a character with realistic depth and complexities.
On the other side of that, a static character can be a round or flat character. Static just means that the character does not undergo change, or like I said, they are stuck in their ways. A flat character just means that the character lacks depth and a sense of realness. It is a two-dimensional character.
I hope that this video over characters in literature has been helpful! See you guys next time!
FAQs
A literary character is a person, animal, or object/thing presented as a person in a narrative. There are two required elements of a story; the first being characters, the second is the plot or events of the story.
What is a good definition of character? ›
Britannica Dictionary definition of CHARACTER. 1. [count] : the way someone thinks, feels, and behaves : someone's personality — usually singular. He rarely shows his true character—that of a kind and sensitive person. This is a side of her character that few people have seen.
How do you describe characters in a book review? ›
Describing their appearance can help the reader picture them in their mind's eye, and describing a character's disposition, mentality, or temperament can help the reader better understand them and their relationship with other characters, as well as give the reader a clearer sense of the conflict in the story.
What is the full meaning of character? ›
the aggregate of features and traits that form the individual nature of some person or thing. one such feature or trait; characteristic. moral or ethical quality: a man of fine, honorable character.
How do you define your character? ›
Character refers to the person's moral and ethical qualities. It consists of beliefs and moral principles that can guide their behavior in discrete ways. Personality is the sum of a person's physical, psychological, emotional, and social aspects that are manifested through behavior and actions.
What makes a character a character? ›
What is Character? A character is a person, animal, being, creature, or thing in a story. Writers use characters to perform the actions and speak dialogue, moving the story along a plot line. A story can have only one character (protagonist) and still be a complete story.
What defines a good character in a story? ›
Good characters are present in nearly every story in every genre of fiction, television, and film. You root for them, you empathize with them, and you want them to succeed. Most good characters contain a number of positive personality traits and characteristics that strengthen their relationship with the audience.
What is a good way to describe a character? ›
The way a character walks, the way they gesture when they talk, the way they squint when they're thinking. These are all great ways to add to a character's vividness and depth through description.
How would you describe the character? ›
To describe a character, use creative and specific details to give the reader a clear picture. Note their unique physical characteristics, like eye color, hair, body type, and scars, as well as their personality traits such as hobbies, moral beliefs, and temperament.
How do you characterize a character in a story? ›
An acronym, PAIRS, can help you recall the five methods of characterization: physical description, action, inner thoughts, reactions, and speech.
A character is any person, animal, or figure represented in a literary work. Characters are essential to a good story, and it is the main characters that have the greatest effect on the plot or are the most affected by the events of the story.
How would you describe someone's character? ›
Adjectives to describe personality include those that may refer to worst or best qualities, such as adaptable, generous, selfish, honest, optimistic, persistent, rational, self-confident, bad-tempered, jealous, and understanding.
What are three main ways in which a character can be described? ›
Characters can be described through their actions, dialogue, and thoughts. A character's traits can change as they experience different events and challenges throughout the story.
Who are the characters in the story? ›
The characters are the persons we meet in the story. A characterization is a description of the characters. The protagonist is the main character, often the hero of the story. The antagonist is the villain or enemy in the story.
What is the definition of a main character? ›
The main character is a central character who acts as the audience surrogate—we experience the story through their eyes. The main character is involved in the story, interacts with the secondary characters, and is personally impacted by the plot's main conflict.
What is the original meaning of character? ›
Character can be traced back to the Greek charassein, meaning “to sharpen, cut in furrows, or engrave.” This word gave the Greeks charaktēr, a noun meaning “mark, distinctive quality” (a meaning that was shared by the Latin character).
