Terms Related to Character
caricatures –
a character presented with an exaggeration of prominent features
character –
a person in a piece of literature
dynamic character –
a character that changes during the story
static –
a character that does not change during the story
flat character –
a character described with only one or two personality traits; a superficial character
round character –
a character whose personality is multi-dimensional; a complicated character
motivation –
the reasons a character takes or does not take action
foil –
a character created as a contrast to another character as a way of focusing attention on the traits of that other character such as a character taking an unethical approach in order to focus attention on another character taking the ethical approach
sidekick –
a character subordinate to another character; often used for comic relief
stock characters –
stereotyped characters such as the good doctor, the determined detective, the kindly old neighbor lady
tragic hero –
a character of elevated status who is a good person but for a tragic flaw which brings about his or her downfall
tragic flaw –
an undesirable personality trait that results in the fall of an otherwise good person
hubris –
arrogance; an attribute where a character (or a person) has an exaggerated sense of him or herself or his or her importance
dialogue –
a conversation between or among characters
monologue –
a long speech-like expression by one character where the other present characters are silent; used more commonly in plays than fiction; a dramatic monologue is a particularly emotional expression
asides –
where a character makes a comment to the audience which is supposedly not heard by the other characters; used in drama
soliloquy –
where a character shares his or her feelings or thoughts with the audience where no other character can hear
