
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.
Full Answer
What are the different stock characters?
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.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 ...
What does the term stock characters mean?
Any fictional character drawn from some stereotype who is instantly recognizable. A stock character is a fictional character based on a common literary or social stereotype. Stock characters rely heavily on cultural types or names for their personality, manner of speech, and other characteristics.
What are the types of stock characters?
Types of Characters (Stock Characters)
- Learning Objective: The students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of stock characters by participating in content-less scenes.
- Materials Needed: Pictures of different types of people, content-less scene, different combinations of stock characters.
- ASSESSMENT: Students will show knowledge of stock characters by performing a content-less scene.
What is the purpose of using stock characters?
- Loves himself more than anything else
- Very stupid, cowardly, and gullible
- Interested in the same girl as the adulescens most of the time

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.
What is the meaning of a 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.
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 is a stock character in film?
A stock character is a type of character used in fictional media that is instantly recognizable to audiences.
Who is the stock character in Harry Potter?
Example: A stock character from the Harry Potter series is Professor McGonagall, the stereotypical strict, rule-abiding teacher. Her personality is evident from her demeanor, her expression, her manner of talking, and the typical glasses that seem to define such teachers. characters.
What is a stock character quizlet?
A stock character is a type of flat character that embodies stereotypical qualities and becomes a type rather than a real person. Although these characters are sometimes caricatures or stereotypes,they may also be characters that are dynamic archetypes,such as the '' hooker with the heart of gold.
What are stock characters and which ones did the Romans use?
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What are the 12 character archetypes?
There are twelve brand archetypes: The Innocent, Everyman, Hero, Outlaw, Explorer, Creator, Ruler, Magician, Lover, Caregiver, Jester, and Sage. Let's take a look at a few examples: The Innocent: Exhibits happiness, goodness, optimism, safety, romance, and youth.
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.
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 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.
What is a stock character in commedia dell arte?
Commedia dell'arte has four stock character groups: Zanni: servants, clowns; characters such as Arlecchino (also known as Harlequin), Brighella, Scapino, Pulcinella and Pedrolino. Vecchi: wealthy old men, masters; characters such as Pantalone and Il Dottore.
What are flat characters?
Within the realm of static characters, there are ones known as flat characters. These take the consistency of static characters a bit further. Where static characters are consistent in their actions and personality, flat characters are consistent in a limited number of specific qualities. Their characteristics are few and simple. For example, in the Harry Potter series, Neville Longbottom is a boy the same age as Harry but is known for being forgetful and clumsy. He is the laughable screw-up. Neville is a flat character. He has those two main qualities, and seemingly, nothing more.
What are the two main types of characters in a story?
There are two main types of characters all stories should have: dynamic characters and static characters. Dynamic characters are the ones who go through some sort of change. They are what moves the story along and make it come alive. The rest will be static characters.
What are the two main categories of characters?
Characters are generally divided into two categories: dynamic and static . Dynamic characters grow and change throughout the story, while static characters do not grow and change. Furthermore, static characters can also be flat characters or stock characters.
What is Neville's role in the final book?
For most of the series, Neville is the typical incompetent goof, but his role drastically changes in the final novel. He becomes a courageous leader and in fact completes one of the most dangerous tasks in the final fight. In this way, J.K. Rowling brought new life to his character and made him into a dynamic one.
What is the mark of a great writer?
However, one mark of a great writer is the ability to throw the reader off by changing the characters. Just because a character begins as a flat character, even a stock character, doesn't mean that he can't transform in the end.
Is Neville Longbottom a boy?
For example, in the Harry Potter series, Neville Longbottom is a boy the same age as Harry but is known for being forgetful and clumsy. He is the laughable screw-up. Neville is a flat character. He has those two main qualities, and seemingly, nothing more.
Can a character change from static to dynamic?
Keep in mind two important facts: sometimes characters can change from a static character to a dynamic character, and both dynamic and static characters are needed to make a story realistic and memorable. Learning Outcomes. When this lesson ends, you should be able to: Contrast dynamic and static characters.
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 comic characters survived from old comedy?
A number of the stock comic characters survived from Old Comedy into New: an old man, a young man, an old woman, a young woman, a learned doctor or pedant, a cook, a parasite, a swaggering soldier, a comic slave. New Comedy, on the other hand, exhibits a degree…
Table of Contents
Characters add depth to a story and play a pivotal role in developing the plot through their conflicts. They can be used to provide foreshadowing and can aid in the expansion of themes. There are various types of characters that an author can use within their work. Characters can be either dynamic or static.
Stock Character Examples
A spoiled, annoying younger sibling is another commonly seen stock character. They take on an antagonist role and are often whining. Prone to crying and getting their way, these characters are prevalent throughout history. In Pride and Prejudice, published in 1813, Elizabeth has a spoiled younger sister who is considered a stock character.
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.
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.
What character is based on a Christmas Carol?
Some characters that were first introduced as fully fleshed-out characters become subsequently used as stock characters in other works (e.g., the Ebenezer Scrooge character from A Christmas Carol, upon whom the miserly Scrooge type is based).
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.
What is stock character?
A Stock Character is a character who is instantly recognizable to us from other stories: the gruff grandpa, the snooty cheerleader, the bratty younger sibling. You can sum up their role in the story in a sentence or less and people will know exactly what you're talking about.
Can you sum up a character's role in a story?
You can sum up their role in the story in a sentence or less and people will know exactly what you're talking about. Such characters are frequently one-dimensional in nature. Sometimes that's okay. Sometimes that opens the door to Playing With Tropes as well. Sometimes two or more character types get combined as well.
Can two or more character types be combined?
Sometimes two or more character types get combined as well. Major and Rounded characters will likely embody more than one of these tropes depending on the story. A stock character can be an Archetype, an example of Characters as Device, or just very recognizable. See also Archetypal Character .
What is the name of the person who mocked the patron?
4. Clown/fool: Traditionally, the court jester — often someone of fragile mental stability or feigning the same — was the only person allowed to mock or question his powerful patron, and his antics involved not only lighthearted entertainment but also sometimes barbed satire or veiled criticism.
What is an antihero?
Antihero: This character, a protagonist (typically seen in detective and adventure genres) whose personality flaws distinguish him or her from a standard hero, is inherently much more interesting than the upstanding counterpart. The key characteristic is usually misanthropy, but that’s not enough to round a character out.
