CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

ANTIHERO



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HELPFUL TIP:

Using a trope or archetype helps readers quickly understand a character, but stopping there creates a weak and predictable figure. Instead, add depth with a unique backstory, emotional wounds, and related fears and flaws. You can also break expectations with an unusual job, relationship, secret, or positive trait.
DESCRIPTION:
This trope is a subversion of the hero archetype in the form of a main character who lacks the qualities of the typical hero. Morally ambiguous and often self-serving, they tend to be deeply wounded and flawed individuals with stories that often end in tragedy.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Severus Snape (The Harry Potter series), Scarlett O'Hara (Gone With the Wind), Holden Caulfield (The Catcher in the Rye), Harley Quinn (the DC universe), Tony Soprano (The Sopranos), Walter White (Breaking Bad)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
ADAPTABLE, AMBITIOUS, BOLD, CONFIDENT, CREATIVE, DECISIVE, DISCREET, FOCUSED, INDEPENDENT, INDUSTRIOUS, INTELLIGENT, METICULOUS, PATIENT, PERCEPTIVE, PERSISTENT, PROTECTIVE, RESOURCEFUL, TALENTED

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
ABRASIVE, COCKY, CONTROLLING, CYNICAL, DEVIOUS, DISHONEST, DISLOYAL, GREEDY, HYPOCRITICAL, MANIPULATIVE, OBSESSIVE, PERFECTIONIST, REBELLIOUS, RECKLESS, SELFISH, SLEAZY, UNETHICAL, VINDICTIVE, VIOLENT, VOLATILE

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Being pragmatic about what needs to be done 
Working according to their own moral code (which others may not agree with)
Having a strong survival instinct (being resilient)
Determinedly pursuing their goals
Having good listening skills
Being secretive
Knowing how to read people 
Adapting quickly to changing situations
Being attentive to what's going on around them
Attempting now and then to improve themselves or change their ways
Having a bad temper
Disdaining authority
Having a fluid view of morality that allows them to justify their actions
Using relationships to further their goals
Doing the right thing for the wrong reasons (or vice versa) 
Deceiving others easily
Using charm to manipulate people
Fooling even their closest loved ones into seeing the antihero the way they want to be seen
Refusing to entertain doubts about their motives or choices
Doing whatever it takes to save themselves

FEARS THAT MIGHT LIMIT THE CHARACTER:
A LOVED ONE DYING, A SECRET BEING REVEALED, ABANDONMENT, BEING PITIED, BETRAYAL, CRITICISM, HAVING NO PURPOSE, LETTING OTHERS DOWN, LOSING THE RESPECT OF OTHERS, MEDIOCRITY, NEVER FINDING HAPPINESS, NOT FITTING IN, REJECTION

SITUATIONS THAT WILL CHALLENGE THEM:
Someone discovering a secret the antihero desperately wants to keep under wraps
Being betrayed by someone close to them 
Working with someone who points out their hypocrisy
Being in an impossible situation that requires something wrong/illegal/bad
Getting caught, or someone close to them being caught
Lacking the particular skill needed to accomplish their goal
Having people in their life that they genuinely care about and want to protect
Being forced into a situation that requires obedience to a higher authority

INNER STRUGGLES TO GIVE THEM DEPTH:
Knowing their actions are hurting others but being too dedicated to getting what they want to change
Struggling to maintain healthy relationships with loved ones
Struggling between choosing self-interest and the interests of others
Wanting revenge
Worrying that they're setting a bad example for their children
Having to choose between what's right and what's best for themselves
Having to constantly bury thoughts of self-doubt or regret

CLICHÉS TO BE AWARE OF:
An antihero whose humanizing qualities exist only to make the character likable and don't impact their decision making
An antihero who never struggles with self-doubt
The emotionally flat antihero (or one with no positive emotions)
The lone wolf antihero who has no friends 
The antihero with no character arc and no capacity to change

TWIST THIS TROPE WITH A CHARACTER WHO...:
Has a conscience
Is ambiguous, walking the line between hero and antihero
Successfully navigates a change arc instead of ending up the same or worse than where they started
Has a unique skill or hobby
Has an atypical trait: flamboyant, nature-focused, scatterbrained, witty, wise, etc.

UNEXPECTED OCCUPATIONS FOR THIS CHARACTER:
TEACHER, THERAPIST (MENTAL HEALTH), SOCIAL WORKER, ANIMAL RESCUE WORKER, LIBRARIAN

CREATE SOMETHING NEW:
Antihero + Jester (Archetype)
Antihero + Fae Folk
Antihero + Nerd
Antihero + Storyteller

HERO (ARCHETYPE), RELUCTANT HERO, SUPERVILLAIN, TORTURED HERO, TRAGIC HERO