
Below are a few examples of stock characters that you might recognize from film:
- The Absent Minded Professor – the absent-minded science guru that knows seemingly everything.
- The Action Hero – the protagonist that has unrealistic capabilities to fight.
- The Bad Boy – the macho man with a roguish element about him.
- The Boy Next Door – the super average nice guy.
- The Cat Lady – the old woman that seems to care only about her cats.
Full Answer
What is meant by the term stock character?
Apr 08, 2020 · A stock character is a type of character used in fictional media that is instantly recognizable to audiences. Authors have used them in countless stories and tales, and the characters themselves have seldom changed in any meaningful way.
What does "stock characters" mean in?
Aug 25, 2015 · 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...
What is the purpose of using stock characters?
Stock character definition, a character in literature, theater, or film of a type quickly recognized and accepted by the reader or viewer and requiring no development by the writer. See more.
What are the types of stock characters?
Aug 25, 2015 · The definition of a stock character is a person or animal that embodies a widely recognizable stereotype. They can pull from cultural concepts to reflect characteristics and personalities that can...

What does stock character mean?
stock character, a character in a drama or fiction that represents a type and that is recognizable as belonging to a certain genre. Related Topics: theatrical production. See all related content → Most of the characters in the commedia dell'arte, such as Columbine and Harlequin, are stock characters.
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.Sep 30, 2021
What are the 7 stock characters?
What are the Stock Characters in MelodramaHero: 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:Oct 26, 2016
What is stock character your answer?
a character in literature, theater, or film of a type quickly recognized and accepted by the reader or viewer and requiring no development by the writer.
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.
Is Queenie from A&P a stock character?
In the short story “A & P”, by John Updike, the character “Queenie”, is not represented as a stock,or in other words “stereotypical” character. The story begins with the narrator noticing three girls entering the supermarket in their bathing suits.
Why do stock characters exist?
There are several purposes to using 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 the 6 stock characters?
Stock CharactersA hero, who is moral, handsome and manly. ... A heroine, who is also moral in that she is innocent. ... A villain, who is evil. ... A villain's accomplice, who is usually rather idiotic and serves as comic relief.A faithful servant, who helps the hero uncover needed information on the villain.More items...•Nov 11, 2015
Where do stock characters come from?
Origins of Stock Characters Looser versions of the stock character have been around since ancient Greece with the plays of Aeschylus and Sophocles, when certain deities would serve the role of the fool.
What are stock characters and which ones did the Romans use?
Stock CharactersThe Parasite – parasitus. Leeches off the main characters by emptying their tables.The Tricky Slave – Servus Callidus. ... Young Lover – adulescens. ... Courtesan – Meretrix. ... Or Virgo – a young maiden. ... Old man – Senex. ... Braggart Soldier – Miles Gloriosus. ... Maid/nurse – Ancilla.More items...
Who is a stock character in Harry Potter?
List of stock charactersAChrist figureThe Doctor, Spock, Harry Potter, AslanCon artistDel Boy, Artful Dodger, The King and the DukeCompetent manLazarus Long, Jubal HarshawConscienceJiminy Cricket in Pinocchio, the Angel Clarence from It's a Wonderful Life125 more rows
What is a stock and round character?
The round character displays a fully developed personality and full emotions. Flat characters, also known as supporting characters, do not develop fully or express complex emotions. A stock character, also known as a stereotype, fits an established characterization from real life or literature.
What is a stock character example?
The dumb blonde is a stock character. They are known for their bubbly personalities and exceptional looks. However, they are not well-known for the...
What does stock character mean?
A stock character is a person or animal that showcases a widely recognizable stereotype. They can pull from cultures to reflect characteristics and...
What are the 7 stock characters?
There are many stock characters. Some include the dumb blonde, the jock, the evil stepmother, the evil dictator, the obedient housewife and the pow...
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"stock character." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2021. Web. 14 Aug. 2021. < https://www.definitions.net/definition/stock+character >.
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What is stock character?
Stock character, a character in a drama or fiction that represents a type and that is recognizable as belonging to a certain genre. Most of the characters in the commedia dell’arte, such as Columbine and Harlequin, are stock characters.
What is Miles Gloriosus?
In Roman comedy there is the braggart soldier known as Miles Gloriosus; in Elizabethan drama there is usually a fool; and in melodrama there is a scheming villain. Although these characters are common types, they are not always treated or presented in a stock manner.
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 is a stock mime?
A stock mime character was the mimus calvus, resembling Maccus the buffoon from Atellan farce.
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.
What was the first theatrical genre?
New Comedy was the first theatrical genre which developed after Theophrastus' formulation. Menander was said to be a student of Theophrastus, and has been remembered for his prototypical cooks, merchants, farmers and slave characters. Although we have few extant works of the New Comedy , the titles of Menander's plays alone seem to allude to Theophrastus:
What did Plautus draw from?
The Roman playwright Plautus drew from Atellan Farce as well as the Greek Old and New Comedy. He expanded the four types of Atellan Farce to eight (not quite as distinct as the farcical types):
Can copyright be extended to stock characters?
In the United States, courts have determined that copyright protection cannot be extended to the characteristics of stock characters in a story, whether it be a book, play, or film.
