CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

TRAITOR



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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:
At some point in the story, this character switches teams and betrays their former allies to benefit themselves.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Cersei Lannister (A Song of Ice and Fire series), Edmund Pevensie (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe), Peter Pettigrew (the Harry Potter series), Iago (Othello), Judas (the Bible)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
ADAPTABLE, ADVENTUROUS, ALERT, AMBITIOUS, ANALYTICAL, CAUTIOUS, CHARMING, DIPLOMATIC, DISCREET, OBSERVANT, PATIENT, PERSUASIVE, RESOURCEFUL, UNINHIBITED

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
COWARDLY, DEFENSIVE, DEVIOUS, DISHONEST, DISLOYAL, HYPOCRITICAL, MANIPULATIVE, NOSY, SELFISH, SUSPICIOUS

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Being adept at reading others and knowing what they want to hear
Thinking strategically
Making themselves look trustworthy to others
Blending in; keeping a low profile
Being highly observant; watching everyone and seeing everything
Being adept at fooling others
Easily disarming other people assuaging any doubts they have about the character
Living a double life
Asking noncommittal or ambiguous questions to figure out where people stand
Lying easily
Changing to suit different people groups; being a chameleon
Manipulating others for their own gain
Being either short-sighted or extraordinarily long-sighted
Taking actions without care for how they will hurt others
Acting in morally ambiguous ways
Having shifting morals
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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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CREATE SOMETHING NEW:
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