Character flaw

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A character flaw is a limitation, imperfection, problem, phobia, or deficiency present in a character who may be otherwise very functional. The flaw can be a problem that directly affects the character's actions and abilities, such as a missing arm or a violent temper. Alternatively, it can be a simple foible or personality defect, which effects the character's motives and social interactions, but little else.

Flaws can add depth and humanity to the characters of a narrative. For example, the sheriff with a gambling addiction, or the action hero who is afraid of heights, or a lead in a romantic comedy who must overcome his insecurity regarding male pattern baldness are all characters whose flaws help provide dimension. Perhaps the most widely cited and classic of character flaws is Achilles' famous heel.

In general, flaws fall into one of three categories

  1. Minor Flaw
  2. Major Flaw
  3. Tragic Flaw

Contents

[edit] Minor Flaw

A minor character flaw is an imperfection which serves to distinguish the character in the mind of the reader / viewer / player / listener, making them memorable and individual, but otherwise does not affect the story in any way.

Examples of this could include a noticeable scar, a thick accent or a habit such as cracking their knuckles.

Protagonists and other major characters may (and usually do) have multiple minor flaws, making them more accessible, and enabling the reader / viewer / listener to relate to the character (in the case of a sympathetic character) or otherwise influence the audience's opinions of the character.

Many insignificant or archetypal characters which are encountered only once or rarely are defined solely by a single minor flaw, differentiating them from the stock character or archetype that they adhere to.

[edit] Major Flaw

A major character flaw is a much more noticeable and important hindrance which actually impairs the individual, whether physically, mentally or morally. Sometimes major flaws are not actually negative per se (such as devout religious beliefs or a rigid code of honour), but are classified as such in that they often serve to hinder or restrict the character in some way.

Examples of this could include blindness, amnesia or greed.

Unlike minor flaws, major flaws are almost invariably important to either the character's personal development or the story as a whole.

  • For villains, their major flaw is usually the cause of their eventual downfall.
  • For heroes, their major flaw usually must be overcome (either temporarily or permanently) at somepoint in the story, often at the climax, by their own determination or skill.
  • For neutral characters, or those that shift allegiance, the major flaw is usually the cause of either their corruption, redemption or both.
  • For the protagonist themselves, their most visible flaw generally serves a more vital interest, as well, as it defines his or her core problem. It is the protagonist's reluctant (and usually unconscious) journey to address this core lacking that forms the spine of the story, sometimes acting as the MacGuffin to stimulate the plot.

[edit] Tragic Flaw

This is a specific sort of flaw, also known as "Hamartia", which is possessed by Aristotelian tragic heroes. It is a flaw which causes an otherwise noble or exceptional character to bring about his own downfall and, often, his eventual death.

Examples of this could include hubris, misplaced trust or excessive curiosity.

This fall usually occurs at the beginning of a story, with the story itself concentrates on the consequences or attempted redemption of the fall.

[edit] Examples

[edit] Literature

[edit] Film

[edit] Television

[edit] Gaming

  • In Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Rex was purposely designed to have a weakness by its creator, Hal Emmerich, better known as Otacon. He looked at it as a character flaw; a character just wasn't complete without one. Rex was almost unstoppable, and without its 'character flaw' the protagonist may not have been able to defeat it. This could, however, be seen as simply a plot device to explain away Rex's vulnerability.
  • In Final Fantasy VII Cloud's character flaw is that for the last 7 years, he has been living in an illusion created by Jenova cells, and memories of and from his friend, and SOLDIER 1st class Zack.
  • In Final Fantasy VIII, Squall Leonheart begins the game being extremely anti-social, and has a refusal to depend on any one, thinking that he is able to get through life on his own.
  • In Sonic Adventure 2, Shadow the Hedgehog the "Ultimate Lifeform" has several character flaws, including a poor memory and over confidence. In the last story he remembers the truth just in time to fix his mistakes but ends up exhausting himself due to overconfidence, leveling him unable to return to the Ark.

Anime

  1. From Naruto Uchiha Sasuke believes that he must be stronger than everybody else to be able to defeat his brother Itachi. After discovering that Naruto has surpassed him, he defects to the secret village of Sound to get trained by Orochimaru and get stronger.

[edit] External links

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