Archetype Character Categories and Subcategories

Archetypes by Carolyn Myss
Included are many repeats, but kept for the sake of keeping the list whole. These archetypes can
be either the hero or characters the hero meets along the way during his/her journey.
Note: Some archetypes are often blended to make a more multi-faceted character.
1. Addict (Conspicuous Consumer, Glutton, Workaholic--see also Gambler)
2. Advocate (Attorney, Defender, Legislator, Lobbyist, Environmentalist—John Grisham
novels often contain this archetype)
3. Alchemist (Wizard, Magician, Scientist, Inventor--see also Visionary)
4. Angel (Fairy Godmother/Godfather)
5. Artist (Artisan, Craftsperson, Sculptor, Weaver)
6. Athlete (Olympian)
7. Avenger (Avenging Angel, Savior, Messiah)
8. Beggar (Homeless person/ Indigent)
9. Bully (Coward)
10. Child (Orphan, Wounded, Magical/Innocent, Nature, Divine, Puer/Puella Eternis, or
Eternal Boy/Girl)
11. Clown (Court Jester, Fool, Dummling)
12. Companion (Friend, Sidekick, Right Arm, Consort)
13. Damsel (Princess)
14. Destroyer (Attila, Mad Scientist, Serial Killer, Spoiler)
15. Detective (Spy, Double Agent, Sleuth, Snoop, Sherlock Holmes, Private Investigator,
Profiler--see also Warrior/Crime Fighter)
16. Dilettante (Amateur)
17. Don Juan (Casanova, Gigolo, Seducer, Sex Addict)
18. Engineer (Architect, Builder, Schemer)
19. Exorcist (Shaman)
20. Father (Patriarch, Progenitor)
21. Femme Fatale (Black Widow, Flirt, Siren, Circe, Seductress, Enchantress, see also
Temptress)
22. Gambler
23. God (Adonis, see also Hero)
24. Gossip (see also Networker)
25. Guide (Guru, Sage, Crone, Wise Woman, Spiritual Master, Evangelist, Preacher)
26. Healer (Wounded Healer, Intuitive Healer, Caregiver, Nurse, Therapist, Analyst,
Counselor)
27. Herald/Messenger
28. Hedonist (Bon Vivant, Chef, Gourmet, Gourmand, Sybarite--see also Mystic)
29. Hero/Heroine (see also Knight, Warrior) Subcategories: The willing hero (Superman),
the reluctant hero (Shrek) the anti-hero (Hellboy)
30. Judge (Critic, Examiner, Mediator, Arbitrator)
31. King (Emperor, Ruler, Leader, Chief)
32. Knight (see also Warrior, Rescuer)
33. Liberator (ex: Schindler’s list)

34. Lover
35. Martyr (Christ, Owen Meany, Ripley—the death of this archetype is a catalyst for
change)
36. Mediator (Ambassador, Diplomat, Go-Between)
37. Mentor (Master, Counselor, Tutor)
38. Messiah (Redeemer, Savior)
39. Midas/Miser
40. Monk/Nun (Celibate)
41. Mother (Matriarch, Mother Nature)
42. Mystic (Renunciate, Anchorite, Hermit)
43. Networker (Messenger, Herald, Courier, Journalist, Communicator)
44. Pioneer (Explorer, Settler, Pilgrim, Innovator)
45. Poet
46. Priest (Priestess, Minister, Rabbi, Evangelist)
47. Prince
48. Prostitute
49. Queen (Empress)
50. Rebel (Anarchist, Revolutionary, Political Protester, Nonconformist, Pirate) ex: Captain
Jack Sparrow
51. Rescuer
52. Saboteur
53. Samaritan
54. Scribe (Copyist, Secretary, Accountant--see also Journalist)
55. Seeker (Wanderer, Vagabond, Nomad)
56. Servant (Indentured Servant)
57. Shape-shifter (see also Trickster)
58. Sidekick (Best Friend, see also Trickster)
59. Slave
60. Storyteller (Minstrel, Narrator)
61. Student (Disciple, Devotee, Follower, Apprentice)
62. Teacher (Instructor, see also Mentor)
63. Temptress (see also Femme Fatale)
64. Thief (Swindler, Con Artist, Pickpocket, Burglar, Robin Hood)
65. Trickster (Puck, Provocateur)
66. Vampire
67. Victim
68. Virgin (see also Celibate)
69. Visionary (Dreamer, Prophet, Seer--see also Guide, Alchemist)
70. Warrior (Soldier, Crime Fighter, Amazon, Mercenary, Soldier of Fortune, Gunslinger,
Samurai)
Also: Shrew, star-crossed lovers