CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

COWARD



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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:
Driven by fear and insecurity, cowards lack the courage to take action when they should. While many characters—good and bad—can play this role at some point in a story, this trope refers to those who make a habit of doing what's easy rather than what's right.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Henry Fleming (The Red Badge of Courage), Himmelstoss (All Quiet on the Western Front), the Cowardly Lion (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz), Gilderoy Lockhart (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets), Sir Robin (Monty Python and the Holy Grail)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
ANALYTICAL, CAUTIOUS, GENTLE, INTROVERTED, NURTURING, OBSERVANT, PENSIVE, SENSIBLE

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
COWARDLY, DEFENSIVE, DEVIOUS, DISLOYAL, EVASIVE, HYPOCRITICAL, INDECISIVE, INSECURE, MANIPULATIVE, NEEDY, NERVOUS, PESSIMISTIC, SELFISH, SUSPICIOUS, TIMID, WEAK-WILLED, WHINY, WORRYWART

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Being noncommittal
Taking on supporting roles rather than being in charge
Observing rather than participating
Needing to be sure of an outcome before taking action
Difficulty speaking up for themselves or expressing their true feelings
Having good intentions but being unable to act on them
Worrying about the future
Thinking in terms of worst-case scenarios
Being afraid of irrational things
Hanging back in the hopes that someone else will make the hard decisions
Downplaying their abilities so people won't expect them to take action
Putting on a front to hide their insecurity or uncertainty
Pretending to be apathetic in a risky situation
Visualizing themselves playing the hero
Feeling inferior
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FEARS THAT MIGHT LIMIT THE CHARACTER:
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SITUATIONS THAT WILL CHALLENGE THEM:
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INNER STRUGGLES TO GIVE THEM DEPTH:
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CLICHÉS TO BE AWARE OF:
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TWIST THIS TROPE WITH A CHARACTER WHO...:
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UNEXPECTED OCCUPATIONS FOR THIS CHARACTER:
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CREATE SOMETHING NEW:
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