45 Master Characters (34 page)

When his temper flares out of control, Stanley Kowalski (Marlon Brando) in
Streetcar Named Desire
is an example of the villainous side of the Artist archetype: the Abuser. He cannot control his volatile emotions and lashes out at his sister-in-law, Blanche DuBois.

He'll lash out in a rage at home without regard to anyone else's feelings. He loses all boundaries and often hurts those he cares for. If his sexual urge is strong he may rape a woman, not understanding the word “no.” He's not out to hurt her from the start but gets caught up in his own emotions; he doesn't understand how she feels. He's very good at making up. He's the quintessential man who beats his wife and gives her flowers and promises afterward.

He's antisocial with irresponsible behavior lacking in morals and ethics. He exhibits unlawful reckless behavior, refusing to conform to social norms. He seems to have no remorse and shows no thought for the consequences of his actions. He is physically aggressive, erratic and irritable, and disregards the safety of himself and of others.

He feels justified in his actions because he feels his basic rights have been violated. He doesn't care what anyone else thinks, and he'll destroy himself before he lets anyone else do it.

• Beats his wife and then brings her flowers to apologize.
  

• Plays head games with people.
  

• Is irritable and unpredictable.
  

• Is a ticking time bomb.
  

• Disregards the safety of himself and of others.
  

• Can't control his emotions and flies off the handle.
  

• Is driven to revenge and will hold a grudge for years.
  

• Has no boundaries.
  

• Doesn't understand the word “no” because he always gets his way.
  

• Is reckless and full of rage.
  

Poseidon in Action

Bobby Donnell (Dylan McDermott) in
The Practice

Jack McFarland (Sean Hayes) in
Will & Grace

Chris Stevens (John Corbett) in
Northern Exposure

Jim Stark (James Dean) in
Rebel Without a Cause

Boss Paul Viti (Robert De Niro) in
Analyze This

Larry (Billy Crystal) in
Throw Momma From the Train

J.D. (Brad Pitt) in
Thelma and Louise

Vincent Van Gogh

Tristan in Arthurian legend

Angel Clare in
Tess of the d'Urbervilles
by Thomas Hardy

Othello in
Othello
by William Shakespeare

Queequeg in
Moby Dick
by Herman Melville

Stanley Kowalski in
A Streetcar Named Desire
by Tennessee Williams

Tom Buchanan in
The Great Gatsby
by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Dad in
Angela's Ashes
by Frank McCourt

Will Ladislaw in
Middlemarch
by George Eliot

Prospero in
The Tempest
by William Shakespeare

Yuri Zhivago in
Doctor Zhivago
by Boris Pasternak

High up on the mountain, Zeus surveys his land and castle. He looks down on those around him, making sure everything is in quiet order. Everywhere one turns, his watchful gaze can be felt; his power lingers long after he has left the area. He fills the sky with his image and demands respect. Beautiful women have no chance to tell him “no” as he is a forceful and sneaky lover, often disguising his true self to them. He can be your best friend one minute and your worst enemy the next. His wife Hera is the only one who can force him into things, often because she has the power to make his home life a living hell.

Unlike the Male Messiah who sees the whole picture and knows how everyone will be affected by his actions, the King sees only the big picture (which ignores the details) and is unable to see how a decision he makes will affect others on a smaller scale.

He's without emotion and fills that void inside with addictions such as caffeine, work, alcohol and sex. The King is somewhat like a Godfather or a mobster boss who lives in excess. There's no middle ground for him in anything.

He's a very strong man who can lead armies to victory and motivate people with his character and charm. He's a great strategist who can relate to other men and offer them exactly what they want to come over to his side. His word is law but he'll allow other men the option of saving face in front of him.

He loves coming to the rescue of women regardless of what his wife may think. Since he's devoid of emotion and guilt he can easily cheat on his wife and go right home to her again. If he's caught in the act he's more upset with himself for slipping up than for what he has done or how much he's hurt his family. He sees himself as having a separate life when he's out of the house. He provides for his family, protects them and feels entitled to the spoils of life. He'd make a great politician.

What Does the King Care About?

The King cares about having a kingdom to rule over. He wants to have a family, a company or group to call his own.

He cares about being admired and respected for his power and the fear he can instill in others when needed. He wants to be a strong force to reckon with.

He cares deeply about those under his command and is extremely loyal and generous with them. Since he's unable to express his emotions toward them, he uses money and gifts instead.

He also cares about being the best and will duel with his competition to earn that title no matter what the cost.

What Does the King Fear?

The King fears someone stronger, younger, faster and smarter will come along and knock him down. He's worked hard to get to the top of the mountain in business and at home and is always on guard to keep his kingdom. He's much like a mob boss in this regard, and he fears losing his edge.

He fears his own emotions because they're so foreign to him. He may desire a wife to express emotions for him. The more she cries the more he can watch her and hold his own tears at bay. Emotions are a sign of weakness to him and have no place in building a dynasty.

What Motivates the King?

The King's biggest motivator is self-esteem and self-respect. He wants recognition for who he is. He wants his name alone to invoke respect in others and will do anything it takes to protect his image. All one has to do is dare him or call him a coward and he'll attempt anything, often pushing beyond what was dared.

He expects his family and girlfriends to respect him as well. As a loving father he would be crushed by a daughter who rebels against him, often cutting her off completely.

He'll do anything to maintain power.

How Do Other Characters See the King?

Other characters either look up to him as a role model or see him as an egomaniac. His need for control dominates his life, and he'll clash with others who aren't as driven as he is. He doesn't have time for friendly nights on the town with regular friends who aren't a strong alliance for him.

He is seen as unemotional — a rock. Nothing seems to faze him and weaker people going through a difficult time will often seek out his strength. Women in violent relationships may come to him for help, and his wife will feel as if she's lending her husband out to these women.