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 violent temper. Alternatively, it can be a simple foible or personality defect, which affects the character's motives and social interactions, but little else.
Flaws can add depth and humanity to the characters in a narrative. For example, the sheriff with a gambling addiction, 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 can be categorized as minor, major, or tragic.
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[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 type of flaw 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 some point 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 himself, his 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 problem 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
- Oedipus' downfall is directly linked to arrogance: Oedipus the King
- Macbeth suffers from hubris, leading to the murder of Duncan I of Scotland: Macbeth
- Hamlet is indecisive and self-doubting, which thwarts him in avenging his father's murder.
- Victor Frankenstein suffers from excessive curiosity, leading to the creation of the monster that destroys his life: Frankenstein
- Sigurd has a vulnerable spot on his back, where a linden leaf fell as he was bathing in dragon's blood: Volsunga saga
- Oliver Twist is a poor orphan with no money or relations, acting as the motive for his journey to London: Oliver Twist
- Agamemnon acts in greed when he takes Briseis away from Achilles: The Iliad
- Cyrano De Bergerac has a huge nose which keeps him from pursuing the woman he loves.
[edit] Film
- Indiana Jones is afraid of snakes: Raiders of the Lost Ark
- Rocky Balboa thinks of himself as a loser who can't go the distance in the boxing ring.
- Anakin Skywalker's anger eventually consumes him: Star Wars hexalogy
- In Casablanca, Rick thinks of himself as an unfeeling cynic who denies the pain and disappointment from a failed love affair with Isla.
- In Vertigo, the detective played by James Stewart is afraid of heights and has to climb a tower.
- Captain Hook has only one hand: Peter Pan
- Roy Batty, as a replicant, is powerful, but has a very short lifespan: Blade Runner
[edit] Television
- B. A. Baracus is afraid of flying: The A-Team
- Philip J. Fry has a severe lack of intelligence: Futurama
- Londo Mollari yearns to return to the "glory days" of the Centauri Republic: Babylon 5
- Mr. Spock relies heavily on logic and suppresses his more human emotions: Star Trek
- John Dorian (J.D.) is seen as a dork by the rest of the hospital staff: Scrubs
- Bam Margera is afraid of snakes. Viva La Bam
- Darkwing Duck/Drake Mallard have a big ego. Darkwing Duck
[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 VIII, Squall Leonhart 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.
