What are the different types of stock characters?
When choosing a type of stock character, writers have two main options: dynamic and static characters. Consider the definition of these character types, as well as types of static characters, and explore examples in well-known TV shows and films. Updated: 09/30/2021
What is the difference between static characters and stock characters?
Furthermore, static characters can also be flat characters or stock characters. Flat characters show two or three basic personality traits, where stock characters represent one stereotype only.
How does the stock character affect the main character?
The stock character does almost nothing to affect the main characters and can be easily replaced with a new character. Many can, in fact, be taken out of the story and have no effect on the overall plot. Many television shows even make a joke of the stock character.
What is the relationship between stock characters and basic archetypes?
The relationship is that basic archetypes (such as " hero " or " father figure ") and stock characters (such as " damsel in distress " and " wise fool ") are the raw source material that authors use to build on and create fleshed-out, interesting characters.
What are the 7 stock characters?
The following stock characters can be observed in melodramas:Hero: The hero is moral, manly, brave, courageous and handsome. ... Heroine: The heroine is beautiful, kind, gentle and innocent. ... Villain: The villain is the main enemy of the hero. ... Villain's accomplice: ... Faithful servant:
What are different types of stock characters?
Stock character examples that can be protagonists, but are sometimes supporting, or even antagonists, include:The Bad Boy.The Damsel in Distress.Le Femme Fatale.The Girl or Boy Next Door.The Hooker with a Heart of Gold-The Hopeless Romantic.The Hotshot.The Lovers.More items...•
What is an example of a stock character?
Stock characters are ones who represent specific stereotypes. These characters are types and not individuals. Stock characters are based on clichés and social prejudices. For example, the dumb blonde, the mean stepmother, the loyal servant, the abusive boyfriend, or the evil dictator or CEO are all stock characters.
Are stock characters stereotypical?
A stock character is a stereotypical fictional person or type of person in a work of art such as a novel, play, or a film whom audiences recognize from frequent recurrences in a particular literary tradition.
What are the 4 types of characters?
One way to classify characters is by examining how they change (or don't change) over the course of a story. Grouped in this way by character development, character types include the dynamic character, the round character, the static character, the stock character, and the symbolic character.
Can a protagonist be a flat character?
A dynamic character may also be the antagonist, and a protagonist can also be, say, a flat and stock character (i.e. the one-dimensional hero). Here's a very common mistake: while characters are often round and dynamic, that does not mean these two terms mean the same thing.
Is Cinderella a stock character?
Fairy Tale Stock Characters: Cinderella, Big Bad Wolf, Queen, Baba Yaga, Princess and Dragon, Ugly Sisters, Wicked Fairy Godmother, Tom Thumb.
What is the difference between a stock character and an archetype?
Stock Characters are always Flat and Static. ALWAYS. Their behavior is predictable and so is their outcome. While it is possible for Character Archetypes to be Static (especially a supporting character), they should never be Flat.
Is clown a stock character?
The harlequinade developed in England in the 17th century, inspired by Arlecchino and the commedia dell'arte. It was here that Clown came into use as the given name of a stock character.
What are the 6 types of character?
The different types of characters include protagonists, antagonists, dynamic, static, round, flat, and stock.
What is a foil character?
A literary foil is a character whose purpose is to accentuate or draw attention to the qualities of another character, most often the protagonist.
What type of stock character is Maitreya?
He is a Brahmin.
What is stock character?
A stock character is a dramatic or literary character representing a generic type in a conventional, simplified manner and recurring in many fictional works. The following list labels some of these stereotypes and provides examples. Some character archetypes, the more universal foundations of fictional characters, are also listed.
What is the name of the pejorative stereotype used as one of the earliest gay stock characters in Hollywood films?
Flotsam and Jetsam, Pain and Panic, Thing Number 1 and Thing Number 2, Winged monkeys. Sissy. In the 1930s, the "sissy" or "pansy" was a pejorative stereotype used as one of the earliest gay stock characters in Hollywood films.
Why does the Bard overlap with the Jester?
The bard may overlap with the jester if they use their songs to speak blunt truths to a king or entertain the nobles with humour (also providing comic relief in the story). The bard may also be a wandering minstrel who voyages with the hero to chronicle the hero's exploits in song.
What is a sidekick in the Lord of the Rings?
A friend who accompanies the main character or hero. A sidekick may also simultaneously be a bard, fool, or other stock character. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a slave named Jim accompanies Huck Finn on his travels. In The Lord of the Rings, Frodo has his loyal friend Samwise Gamgee by his side throughout.
Can a bard be a wisecracking jester?
Some stock characters incorporate more than one stock character; for example, a bard may also be a wisecracking jester. Some of the stock characters in this list may be considered offensive due to their use of racial stereotyping . Character Type. Description.
Why use stock characters?
Stock characters are a time- and effort-saving shortcut for story creators, as authors can populate their tale with existing well-known character types.
What are stock characters used for?
In American popular films, there a wide range of stock characters, which are typically used as non-speaking extras in the background, bit parts with a single line, minor secondary/supporting roles, or major secondary/supporting roles. Stock characters in American films have changed over the decades.
What is the relationship between stock characters and hero characters?
The relationship is that basic archetypes (such as " hero " or " father figure ") and stock characters (such as " damsel in distress " and " wise fool ") are the raw source material that authors use to build on and create fleshed-out, interesting characters.
How many character types did Theophrastus have?
In The Characters (c. 319 BC), Theophrastus introduced the "character sketch", which became the core of "Character as a genre". It included 30 character types, each exemplifying a group and characterized by his most prominent trait: The Insincere Man. The Flatterer. The Garrulous Man.
What is a stock mime?
A stock mime character was the mimus calvus, resembling Maccus the buffoon from Atellan farce.
Who said all characters begin as stock characters and are fleshed out only as far as needed to advance the plot?
According to Dwight V. Swain , a creative writing professor and prolific fiction author, all characters begin as stock characters and are fleshed out only as far as needed to advance the plot. E. Graham McKinley says "there is general agreement on the importance to drama of 'stock' characters.
Who wrote ethical characters?
In revision of Theophrastus, Diogenes Laërtius published Ethical Characters (Circa 230 BC), sparking interest in two lines of study. The first is that of the character book. Imitators of Theophrastus including Satyrus Atheneus, Heracleides Ponticus, Lycon, and Rutilius Lupus wrote their own character sketches.
