Leveraging Character Archetypes
In the last issue, I shared with you the WANT vs NEED framework to create unforgettable, real, WOUNDED characters that audiences love.
We also talked extensively about the two main characters that cannot be absent in any dramatic story: the Hero, and her Shadow –also known as the Adversary, or Antagonist.
But of course, for a story to be a complete emotional experience for the audience, we’ll also need other characters.
The first thing you must know when considering what “supporting” characters to add to your story is that every character in a screenplay must help advance the plot, either by helping the Hero achieve their goal, or opposing it.
There is no place in a dramatic story for characters who neither aid nor hinder the Hero’s efforts to achieve their visible goal!
This is a good moment to remind you that, in movies, the GOAL the protagonist or “Hero” pursues throughout the story MUST ALWAYS BE A VISIBLE GOAL.
The audience cannot “see” an internal goal, or the feelings of a character; everything a character thinks or feels must be made visible on the screen through action. That’s why the goal needs to be a concrete, visible goal.
Now that we know that we’ll probably need some extra characters to “support” the hero’s efforts, and some to help the adversary stop them, the question becomes clear:
How do we know what characteristics these characters must embody?
Here’s where Archetypes become really handy!
Concretely, today we’ll be covering Vogler’s Character Archetypes, and how they can help us craft unforgettable stories.
When we studied the Hero’s Journey in the past few issues, we saw that Joseph Campbell took his archetypes directly from Carl Jung’s Psychological Archetypes.
After working on his simplified version of the Hero’s Journey, Chris Vogler saw the need to destill Jung’s rich Psychological Archetypes into fewer and more straightforward Character Archetypes that writers could use to create believable characters for their narrative stories.
As a result of this work, Vogler presented us with 8 Character Archetypes that can be found in any dramatic story.
These 8 Character Archetypes are, in order:
The Hero
The Mentor
The Threshold Guardian
The Herald
The Shapeshifter
The Shadow
The Ally
The Trickster
Let’s see now what each one of these Archetypes entails:
Archetype #1: The Hero
The Hero is, of course, the protagonist, the character going through this Journey of Transformation we call a “story”.
The main mission of the Hero is to carry the Theme of the story and deliver a satisfying emotional resolution to the audience by the end, by means of achieving –or failing to achieve– a personal transformation.
We have talked extensively about the Hero in the last issue, so I won’t repeat myself here.
But it’s really useful to know that heroes come in different flavors!
Vogler identifies several variations of the Hero, including:
Willing Heroes: Active, committed, and self-motivated characters like Luke Skywalker in Star Wars.
Unwilling Heroes: Full of doubt and hesitation, needing to be pushed into the adventure.
Anti-Heroes: Outlaws or villains from society's perspective, but with whom the audience sympathizes, such as Han Solo, or many figures in film noir.
Tragic Heroes: Flawed figures whose journey leads to their own downfall, like Walter White in Breaking Bad.
Archetype #2: The Mentor
The Mentor is the archetype of the wise guide, the teacher or protector who aids the Hero.
Their primary function is "to guide".
This guidance can take the form of teaching, training, advice, or providing essential gifts —be they physical objects, like a lightsaber, or crucial pieces of information.
Psychologically, the Mentor represents the Self, the wise, noble, and god-like part of the personality that is connected to a higher wisdom.
The Mentor often functions as the Hero's conscience, representing their highest aspirations and encouraging them to do what is right.
Dramatically, the Mentor's purpose is to move the plot forward at a critical juncture.
They appear to give the Hero the push they need to overcome the "Refusal of the Call" and commit to the journey.
The gifts they provide are not free; they must be earned through the Hero's learning, sacrifice, or commitment, ensuring they are used at a pivotal moment later in the story.
Mentor variations include:
Dark Mentors: Characters who wear the Mentor mask to lure the Hero into danger, like Hannibal Lecter's relationship with Clarice Starling.
Fallen Mentors: Mentors who are on their own journey and must overcome their own flaws, like the alcoholic Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games.
Comic Mentors: Often best friends or sidekicks whose advice is well-intentioned but comically flawed.
Inner Mentor: Not a character, but an internalized code of honor or justice that guides a loner Hero.
Archetype #3: The Threshold Guardian
Threshold Guardians are the obstacles that stand in the way of the Hero at important turning points.
Their function is "to test" the Hero's commitment and worthiness before they can proceed.
They are not typically the main villain but rather lieutenants, gatekeepers, or neutral forces whose job is to block the path.
Psychologically, Threshold Guardians represent our own internal demons: our neuroses, emotional scars, addictions, dependencies, and self-imposed limitations that hold us back whenever we attempt to make a significant change in our lives. They are the embodiment of resistance.
Dramatically, Threshold Guardians create tests that the Hero cannot ignore.
To pass, the Hero must prove their mettle by outwitting, overpowering, appeasing, or even befriending the Guardian, sometimes turning them into an Ally.
Overcoming a Threshold Guardian is a powerful signal of the Hero's growth and resolve.
These guardians can be characters like bouncers or border guards, but they can also manifest as architectural features (a locked door), animals, or natural phenomena (a treacherous mountain pass).
Examples include the cantina bartender inStar Wars, the Doorman at the Emerald City, or Little John who guards the bridge in the tale of Robin Hood.
Archetype #4: The Herald
The Herald is the archetype that delivers the "Call to Adventure".
Their function is "to warn and challenge”, announcing the coming of significant change and setting the story in motion.
Psychologically, the Herald represents the call for change that comes from within or without. It is the message that the old world is no longer sustainable and a new path must be taken.
Dramatically, the Herald's function is purely to kickstart the plot.
They disrupt the Hero's Ordinary World with a challenge, a message, or an event that throws everything off balance.
The Herald can be a character (Hagrid arriving to tell Harry Potter he's a wizard), an object (the Hogwarts acceptance letters, R2-D2's holographic message), or an impersonal force (a declaration of war, or a coming storm).
The Herald function is often fulfilled by a character wearing another archetypal mask; for instance, a Mentor like Gandalf can also act as the Herald by bringing the quest of the Ring to Frodo.
Archetype #5: The Shapeshifter
The Shapeshifter is a mercurial archetype whose primary quality is instability; their appearance, mood, and loyalty are constantly in question from the Hero's perspective.
Their function is "to question and deceive” , bringing doubt and suspense into the narrative.
The psychological roots of the Shapeshifter are complex, tied to Jung's concepts of the anima (the unconscious feminine side of a man) and the animus (the unconscious masculine side of a woman).
This archetype represents the mystery of the "other"—often a romantic partner—onto whom the Hero projects their own repressed qualities and idealized fantasies.
This projection makes the other person seem mysterious and changeable, as the Hero struggles to reconcile their internal fantasy with the person's true nature.
Dramatically, the Shapeshifter is a powerful engine for suspense and intrigue.
The audience, along with the Hero, is kept guessing:
“Is this character an ally or an enemy?”
“Will they remain faithful?”
This archetype is frequently worn by the romantic interest.
A classic variation is the femme fatale of noir fiction, a seductive woman who lures the hero into danger.
The shapeshifting can be literal (a werewolf) or metaphorical (a character who is two-faced or whose allegiances constantly shift).
Severus Snape from the Harry Potter series is a quintessential Shapeshifter, as his true motives and loyalty are a central mystery of the saga.
Captain Jack Sparrow is another, an unpredictable pirate who is both hero and villain, often in the same scene.
Archetype #6: The Shadow
The Shadow represents the dark side —the villain, the antagonist, or the enemy within.
Its primary function is "to destroy" or, more broadly, to challenge the Hero and provide a worthy opponent.
Psychologically, the Shadow is one of the most important archetypes, as it personifies the unexpressed, rejected, or repressed aspects of the Hero's own psyche.
This can include negative qualities like rage and greed, but it can also be repressed trauma or even positive potential—such as creativity or affection—that has been denied and turned monstrous.
The Journey's central psychological task is for the Hero to confront their Shadow, whether by defeating it or integrating its energy, in order to achieve wholeness.
Dramatically, the Shadow creates the story's central conflict.
A strong, compelling Shadow forces the Hero to grow, to learn, and to bring forth their best qualities in a life-or-death struggle.
The Shadow can be an external villain like Darth Vader or Voldemort, or it can be an internal demon that the Hero must battle, like Tyler Durden in Fight Club.
The most effective Shadows are not purely evil; they are often humanized with admirable qualities or a perspective that makes them the hero of their own Journey.
The Shadow can also be combined with other archetypes to create complex antagonists, such as a Shadow Mentor who guides and threatens the Hero simultaneously.
Archetype #7: The Ally
Allies are the friends, sidekicks, and companions who accompany and support the Hero on their journey.
Their function is to provide assistance, challenge the Hero, and introduce a humanizing element to the narrative.
Psychologically, Allies can represent the positive, under-utilized parts of the Hero's own personality that they must learn to draw upon to succeed.
Unlike the repressed qualities of the Shadow, these are often simply forgotten or neglected aspects of the self.
Dramatically, the Ally is a versatile, multi-purpose archetype.
They can serve as a sparring partner, a conscience, or comic relief. They are convenient characters for the Hero to talk to, which allows for the natural delivery of exposition and reveals the Hero's inner feelings.
An Ally who is new to the Special World can also serve as an audience surrogate, asking the questions the viewer might have.
Variations include loyal sidekicks (Samwise Gamgee, Chewbacca), non-human allies (R2-D2), and helpful servants (Alfred Pennyworth), who may also wear the mask of a Mentor.
Archetype #8: The Trickster
The Trickster archetype embodies the energies of mischief, humor, and a desire for change.
Their function is "to disrupt" the status quo, often through comedy and chaos.
Psychologically, the Trickster serves to deflate inflated egos, bringing both the Hero and the audience down to earth by pointing out absurdity, hypocrisy, and imbalance.
Their antics, while seemingly chaotic, often provoke healthy change and offer a fresh perspective.
Dramatically, the Trickster provides essential comic relief, preventing a story from becoming too heavy or self-important.
They are often catalyst characters, affecting the lives of others while remaining largely unchanged themselves.
The Trickster mask can be worn by an Ally (a goofy best friend), a Hero (like Bugs Bunny, who survives by his wits), or even a Shadow (the arrogant Hare, in The Tortoise and the Hare).
Figures like Loki from Norse mythology and the Marvel films exemplify the Trickster's ability to shift between ally, antagonist, and comic relief, constantly stirring the pot!
Taken together, these eight character archetypes do not merely populate a story; they form a complete psychological system.
The Hero's external journey to defeat a villain is a powerful metaphor for their internal journey toward wholeness.
This process of transformation is achieved by encountering and integrating the energies of the other seven archetypes: learning from the Mentor (wisdom), overcoming the Threshold Guardian (internal blocks), seeing through the Shapeshifter (projections), and mastering the Shadow (their own dark side).
This mirroring of a universal human process of growth is precisely why stories built on this framework resonate so deeply and feel so fundamentally true.
Now, the real magic happens when we combine these 8 Characters Archetypes with the 12 stages of the (simplified) Hero’s Journey…
The 12 stages of the Writer's Journey are not merely a sequence of plot points; they are a direct result of archetypal functions interacting with one another.
The story's structure is a causal chain reaction driven by the needs and actions of these character archetypes.
Understanding this dynamic relationship transforms the model from a descriptive checklist into a generative engine for creating character-driven stories.
The archetypes are not just characters in the stages; they are the agents of the stages!
Let’s see now how each archetype fits inside the 12 stages of the Journey:
ACT I: DEPARTURE
The first act is concerned with moving the Hero out of their state of comfort and complacency and committing them to the adventure:
Stage 1: The Ordinary World
This stage belongs entirely to the Hero.
The narrative introduces them in their everyday environment, establishing their initial state of being—their flaws, desires, inner conflicts, and the mundane reality they inhabit.
This is crucial for creating audience identification and establishing a baseline against which their future transformation will be measured.
Stage 2: The Call to Adventure
The inciting incident is triggered by the Herald.
This archetype's function is to disrupt the Ordinary World by delivering a challenge, a message, or an event that presents the Hero with a quest.
The Herald's appearance makes the status quo untenable and forces the Hero to make a choice.
Stage 3: Refusal of the Call
The Hero, facing the fear of the unknown, initially hesitates or refuses the adventure.
This is a natural reaction to the immense stakes presented by the Herald.
This refusal serves the dramatic purpose of emphasizing the risks and dangers ahead.
Sometimes, an Ally or a character who will later become the Mentor will voice these fears on the Hero's behalf, articulating the reasons why the journey is perilous.
Stage 4: Meeting with the Mentor
To overcome the Hero's refusal, the Mentor archetype is activated.
The Mentor provides the necessary guidance, training, equipment, or psychological motivation to give the Hero the confidence to proceed.
The Mentor's function is the direct antidote to the Hero's fear-based refusal.
Stage 5: Crossing the First Threshold
The Hero finally commits to the journey and enters the "Special World."
This transition is often obstructed by a Threshold Guardian, who provides the first significant test of the Hero's newfound resolve.
By defeating, bypassing, or allying with this Guardian, the Hero proves their worthiness and officially begins the adventure.
ACT II: DESCENT / INITIATION
The second act is the heart of the journey, where the Hero is repeatedly tested, learns the rules of the new world, and confronts their greatest fears:
Stage 6: Tests, Allies, and Enemies
Upon entering the Special World, the Hero is immediately subjected to a series of tests that force them to learn and adapt.
It is here that they sort out their relationships, identifying new Allies who offer aid and companionship, and new Enemies who are often agents of the main Shadow.
This stage is a fertile ground for introducing Shapeshifters, whose ambiguous loyalties create suspense, and Tricksters, who can provide comic relief or complicate the tests with their mischief.
Stage 7: Approach to the Inmost Cave
The Hero and their Allies now consciously prepare for the story's central crisis.
This may involve planning an attack, gathering intelligence, or simply a moment of reflection before the great Ordeal.
The wisdom or gifts provided earlier by the Mentor often prove indispensable during this preparatory phase.
Stage 8: The Ordeal
This is the central crisis of the story, a "death and rebirth" moment where the Hero confronts their greatest fear.
This confrontation is almost always with the primary Shadow or a powerful representative.
The stakes are at their highest. To underscore this, a Mentor or Ally is often killed during the Ordeal, stripping the Hero of their support system and forcing them to face the darkness alone.
Stage 9: Reward (Seizing the Sword)
Having survived the Ordeal, the Hero obtains the object of their quest: the Reward.
This can be a tangible item (a sword, an elixir), a piece of knowledge, or a psychological boon like reconciliation or self-awareness.
This Reward is the direct consequence of having faced and overcome the power of the Shadow.
ACT III: RETURN
The third act deals with the consequences of the Hero's actions in the Special World and their journey back to the Ordinary World, culminating in a final, transformative test:
Stage 10: The Road Back
The journey is not over. The Hero must now return to the Ordinary World, but their possession of the Reward often incites pursuit.
This stage frequently features a chase scene, as the forces of the Shadow attempt to prevent the Hero from escaping with the prize.
This final pursuit tests the Hero's commitment to completing their mission.
Stage 11: The Resurrection
This is the story's climax. The Hero must face the Shadow one last time in a final, purifying ordeal.
This is not just a repeat of the Ordeal; it is a higher-stakes test where the Hero must apply all the lessons learned on their journey.
The true allegiance of a Shapeshifter is often definitively revealed here, and a Trickster might provide an unexpected twist that turns the tide.
While Allies may provide support, the ultimate victory must be the Hero's, proving their transformation is complete.
Stage 12: Return with the Elixir
The Hero, now fully transformed, returns to the Ordinary World.
They bring with them the "Elixir"—the Reward in its final form, be it a treasure, a cure, love, or the wisdom gained from the journey.
This Elixir has the power to heal the wound that started the story, restoring balance to the Hero's community.
Having completed their own journey, the Hero may now be ready to assume the mask of a Mentor for others, completing the cycle.
Side Note: For a full example of how these Character Archetypes work in a real movie, you can refer to my full analysis of The Matrix here.
These “archetypes” are not really “types of characters” like many writers think.
Instead, they are “functions” that can be performed, or, as Vogler himself calls them, “masks” that any character can wear at any point in the story.
This is where the real power of this approach to character building resides:
Just like in life, a character is rarely just one thing.
A character can wear multiple archetypal masks simultaneously, and they can as easily switch masks as their function in the story evolves.
This fluidity is the key to avoiding stereotypes and crafting characters who feel alive and three-dimensional.
The conceptual shift from an archetype as a type of person to an archetype as a function being performed truly liberates the writer!
Instead of being constrained to create "a Mentor character", the writer can now ask a much more interesting question:
"At this point in the story, my Hero needs guidance… Who is the best positioned character to wear the Mentor mask right now?"
The answer could be a traditional wise old figure, but it could also be the cynical sidekick offering a moment of surprising clarity, the love interest providing emotional support… or even the villain offering a piece of deceptive but useful advice!
This opens up a vast field of creative possibilities!
But we can take it even further…
Real, memorable characters, are often born from the fusion of multiple archetypal energies.
The tension and synergy between these combined functions create depth and unpredictability!
These are some great examples to get your juices flowing:
Mentor/Shadow:
This potent combination creates a character who guides the Hero while simultaneously harboring a dark, often destructive, agenda.
Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars mentors Anakin Skywalker while grooming him for the dark side.Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs provides Clarice Starling with crucial psychological guidance to catch one killer, even as he himself is a far more dangerous one.
Mentor/Trickster:
This character provides guidance, but their methods are chaotic, comical, and unconventional.
Many depictions of Merlin in Arthurian legend fit this mold, as his wisdom is often delivered through pranks and bewildering transformations.
Shapeshifter/Shadow:
This is a common combination for a surprise antagonist.
A character who appears to be an ally or love interest, but whose shifting loyalties ultimately reveal them to be the primary villain!
Prince Hans in Disney's Frozen perfectly embodies this, shifting from a charming suitor to a ruthless villain.
Herald/Threshold Guardian:
A character can deliver the Call to Adventure and immediately block the path, forcing the Hero to prove their worthiness from the very beginning.This is an easy way to raise the stakes and present the Hero with immediate conflict right off the bat!
Finally, I want to point out a powerful use of Character Archetypes in screenwriting: guiding the Transformation Arc of a character.
As fiction writers and screenwriters well know, character arcs are tricky!
NOT ANYMORE.
Leveraging the freeing concept of Archetypes As Masks, we can guide the character's entire transformational journey by carefully selecting the sequence of archetypal masks they wear throughout the story.
The result?
Strong, evolving characters, that look and FEEL alive!
An Ally can, through jealousy or betrayal, become a Shadow, turning against the Hero at a critical moment…
A Shadow could undergo a redemptive arc, ultimately casting off the Shadow mask to become an Ally, or even perform a final, heroic act of sacrifice!
The journey of Darth Vader from the ultimate Shadow to the figure who saves his son is the archetypal example of this powerful transformation.
It’s also not uncommon for the Hero, having completed their Transformational Journey and returned with the Elixir of Wisdom, to become a Mentor for the next generation.
Luke Skywalker's journey from farm boy to Jedi Master who trains a new apprentice is the perfect example of this full-circle transformation.
And with that, we have finished this series on “The Science of Storytelling”.
Now you have all you need to start creating life-like characters and powerful, transformative stories that will deeply move audiences the world over!
There are other useful story frameworks utilized by screenwriters that we’ll visit together at a later date, but as I mentioned in previous issues, most of them are just variations of Campbell and Vogler’s work.
Stay tuned for a new issue next week where we’ll start putting all the pieces together to create an original story, which we will later bring to life leveraging everything we learned about Visual Storytelling in the first part of this course.
This is about to get fun!
See you next week,
Leonardo
P. S. Screenwriting is a passion of mine, but becoming a professional screenwriter requires serious commitment, practice, and personal support along the way. A newsletter is not the right medium to provide this kind of support.
If you’d be interested in an intensive 90-day class covering all the bases of screenwriting for feature films, including full support to get your first screenplay draft finished, let me know.
If enough readers are interested, I might consider putting such a program together.
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