CHARACTERS in a STORY - The archetypes Part II

 

 

 

Last post I started analysing the type of characters or Archetypes in a story. They will surround the Protagonist and pushing and pulling in different ways. The ones that I named “Companions“ or “Friends”, keep close with the protagonist in great part of the story. In The Three Musketeers, Athos Porthos and Aramis are the Companions of D’Artagnan. They have a similar journey and have the same objective, to protect the King.

Is not rare a Companion to meet the protagonist in an initial dispute and then become a friend. That's exactly what happens in the Three Musketeers. Also, it happens so many times at the resolution of a story that a companion or friend sacrifices himself to help that resolution can happen. In Harry Potter, Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) offers to play chess in a mortal chess board so Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) can progress to the confrontation with Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes).

The friend or companion can assume different forms: as a best friend, as a girlfriend/boyfriend, as a team player. Some are closer than others. In Harry Potter, we have Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) as the closer friends, Ginny Wealsey  (Bonnie Wright) is there too, but only in the end of the series she will have a more important role as Harry falls in love with her and eventually she will become his wife and mother of his children. We can add Neville Long Bottom (Matthew Lewis) and so many others... In fact looks like Harry Potter’ series has more characters than all the Coronation Street cast... ok maybe not.

All these characters who help Harry to defeat Voldemort can be considered Companions and friends of route.

Just remember when the kids are playing Indians and Cowboys (the ones who still do it without the help of a game's console) they say "we are the friends and you are the enemies". Simple as that. If the characters are with the protagonist they are friends if they are not they are enemies (I named this ones the blockers, but that will be for future posts).

I will continue with the Companions and friends next time.

CYA