Sunday, November 4, 2012

Protagonist and Trickster - Mirror Archetypes

Reiterating my take that protagonist and nemesis, protagonist and antagonist are NOT mirror archetypes as MANY screenwriters have been led to believe.

The Protagonist and Trickster archetypes are mirror archetypes.

Here is an example.

Meet the protagonist.  He wants to become a firefighter.  But he also wants to makes his wife happy and she does not want him to become a firefighter.

Meet the trickster.  He wants to keep being a firefighter.

Both characters want to be a firefighter for the same reason.  Let's say it's "to be a savior."  The trickster wants the same "general" goal as the protagonist.  AND like the protagonist he's not sure how to get it.

The difference:  In most stories the trickster does not have what might be labeled as an "internal conflict" or a "personal conflict."  

Take Star Wars IV for example.

The theme is "what makes a successful person?"

Both Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader want to be successful at their chosen job occupation.  Both want to be a successful Jedi.

 The Trickster already has the toys, the tools, etc. but uses them in hindrance to his goal.  Death star, light sabers, space jets.
That explains why they can get in the way of the protagonist achieving their goal.

The Trickster says they want the same thing but unconsciously they want the opposite.












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