Character

Characterization
 Character
 Great characters teach us about ourselves
 To know Shakespeare is to know yourself.
 What we learn applies to literature but more
importantly to life.
 List a fictional character which you loved and
a fictional character that you hated.
 List reasons why you feel this way.
 Who are real historical figures that have been
incorrectly characterized?
 Two Types of Characters
 Flat, static, 1 dimensional, stock
Does not change
Usually has at least one main trait to make
character memorable
 Round, dynamic, 3 dimensional, complex
Will go through a change due to the conflict
More levels/many characteristics
 Credibility
 True to life
 Ask is a character credible?
Believable – realistic, not all good or evil,
not always brave but afraid
Consistent – will not make a complete
change without reason
Motivated – must have a reason to act or not
act
 Is a character that lies credible?
 Credibility cont.
 Do not confuse
honest with credible.
 3D characters change
so are they credible or
not credible?
 Explain symbol of the
ying yang
 How does it relate to
credibility/character
 Identity
 Characters must have an identity so the reader
can relate to them vicariously. Identity has to
do with each character being an individual,
having their own unique personality which
allows the reader to relate and sympathize with
the character.
 Characterization
 Method an author uses to reveal or
describe his/her characters and their
various personalities and motivations
 How does this apply to the real

world?
 Two Types of Characterization
 Direct – author tells the reader a trait, the
man is mean, ugly, big, angry, etc.
 Indirect – author shows the reader a
character’s actions, reactions, thoughts, and
words, and the reader must draw conclusions.
 Two Types of Characterization cont.
 News/Social Media – create heroes and villains out
of people. Name someone!
 It is not enough to be told a character has a certain
trait it must be shown through actions, etc.
 Most authors use both.
 What are the benefits of each one and which one is
more powerful?
 Create an example of direct and indirect. Try an
emotion. Use your imagination.
 You have 1 min. 37 seconds. Go!
 6 Ways of Characterization
 Physical traits – at least one singular,
outstanding trait, clothes, possessions, body
language, etc.
Allows reader to picture the character
 Background information- helps better
understand a characters motivation. Attacked by a
dog, killer in Red Dragon Better understanding of
character
 Image – every image has a preconceive notion,
The Eagles, The Bears
 6 Ways of Characterization
 Action – what a character does defines that
character,
Truest form of characterization in literature and life.
Much stronger than just telling. Indirect
characterization
 Dialogue/thoughts – What a character says, reveal
hidden ideas and motivation
 What others say about a character – careful
because it can be faulty, check source
 Important terms
Allusion –
Archetype –
Foil –
Hero / Protagonist –
Antihero – Protagonist who has pronounced
personality or character defects or eccentricities
which are not usually associated with the hero
archetype.
Deuteragonist – secondary character (Sam, Han)
Antagonist –
Hero Antagonist –
Major/central vs. minor –
Symbolic character – is any major or minor
character whose very existence represents
some major idea or aspect of society.

Symbol – (day/light vs. night/dark,

water/moon)

Seasons – (weather reflect character’s feelings

pathetic fallacy)
Colors – Green, Red, Blue, Purple, Yellow,
White, Black, etc.
Motif – an idea, object, or concept that is