In any book that you read, you will notice a pattern, and this comes in the form of character archetypes. These building blocks that make up the archetypal characters in our favourite stories hold a deeper understanding of human nature.
From the comic relief to the hero archetype, let’s break down what these character archetypes represent and recommend some books by British authors for you to discover.
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What is an Archetype?
An archetype is a universal symbol, pattern, or character type that appears in stories across different cultures and time periods, representing fundamental human experiences. In literature, common archetypes serve as a model for characters, themes, and narratives.
They draw from the collective unconscious, a concept introduced by psychologist Carl Jung, which suggests that certain symbols, personality traits, and patterns are ingrained in the human psyche.
The 12 Jungian character archetypes have been adapted and reinvented over time to create some of our favourite characters.
12 Book Recs Based on the Literary Archetypes
The most common character archetypes consist of; the innocent, the everyman, the hero, the outlaw, the explorer, the creator, the ruler, the magician, the lover, the caregiver, the jester and the sage. These can be further broken down into more specific categories such as ‘the reluctant hero archetype’, or even substituted for alternate archetypes like the ‘artist’ or the ‘warrior’.
Based on the original 12 Jungian archetypes, here are some character archetypes and book recs by British authors:
1. The Innocent Archetype
The Innocent archetypal character is one who embodies hope, faith, and optimism. They strive for happiness and fear doing something wrong.
We can see the Innocent in thirteen-year-old Briony Tallis, in Atonement by Ian McEwan. She is a character shaped by youthful naivety and an idealised view of the world.
In Atonement, her life takes a tragic turn due to her misunderstanding of adult relationships and her impulsive actions. At thirteen, Briony witnesses a seemingly innocent interaction between her sister Cecilia and Robbie Turner, a relationship complicated by class and circumstance. Misinterpreting their connection, Briony’s desire for control and her precocious imagination lead her to accuse Robbie of a crime he didn’t commit, forever altering the lives of those involved.
Read Atonement by Ian McEwan.
2. The Everyman
The Everyman archetype can famously be seen in the character Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit. The Everyman desires to belong, and their weakness is often losing themselves in order to blend in.
In A Year of Marvellous Ways by Sarah Winman, the Everyman archetype is embodied by Marvellous herself, a woman whose life has been defined by simplicity and quiet solitude in a remote Cornish creek. At eighty-nine, she has lived alone for nearly all her life, yet remains deeply connected to the world around her. When Drake, a young soldier scarred by World War II washes up in Marvellous’s creek, she takes him in.
Take a look at A Year of Marvellous Ways by Sarah Winman.
3. The Hero
The hero archetype is someone who proves that if ‘there’s a will, there’s a way‘. They desire to prove themselves and become an expert. The hero can be seen in characters like Harry Potter and often overlap with tropes like ‘the chosen one’. The Hero archetype is also one of the most common character archetypes we see for main characters.
Lyra is the quintessential Hero archetype, a courageous young girl who rises to the challenge of an epic adventure. In His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman, Lyra embarks on a journey to the far North, driven by love and loyalty to her kidnapped friend, Roger.
As she encounters witch clans, and gains the alliance of fierce armoured bears, Lyra transforms from a mischievous, scheming child into a fierce and resolute hero.
Read His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman.
4. The Outlaw
The Outlaw or the Rebel archetype is someone who thinks rules were made to be broken. They are fighters of a revolution, or a character who is driven by vengeance.
Kissen embodies the Outlaw archetype in Godkiller by Hannah Kaner. She is living by her own rules in a world where gods are forbidden and destroyed by merciless godkillers like herself.
Her past is shaped by loss and vengeance. Her family was slaughtered by a fire god, and now, she earns her living as a cold, efficient killer of the very deities she once feared. Though Kissen is a fierce and skilled warrior, she operates outside the traditional systems of law and morality, forging her own path as an outcast in a world where the divine and the human collide.
Join the rebellion and read Godkiller by Hannah Kaner.
5. The Explorer
The Explorer character archetype desires freedom, and knowledge. They are soulful characters and fear being fenced in.
Piranesi is the ultimate Explorer archetype, inhabiting a vast, mysterious labyrinth that is both a prison and a universe unto itself. He dedicates his life to exploring the infinite halls of a house that seems to stretch beyond all understanding.
Though the world around him is strange and dreamlike, Piranesi has an uncanny knowledge of its rhythms and patterns. His days are filled with discovery, curiosity, and awe as he navigates the vast, uncharted spaces of the house.
However, Piranesi’s seemingly perfect existence is disturbed when he uncovers signs of another presence. The Other, a man who seeks Piranesi’s help in his quest for forbidden knowledge, represents a force outside of Piranesi’s familiar world.
Explore new worlds with Piranesi by Susanna Clarke.
6. The Creator
The Creator or the Artist, is one who chases a vision. Their imagination is boundless and they can also be known as the inventor or dreamer.
In American Gods by Neil Gaiman we are introduced to Mr. Wednesday, a master manipulator and the embodiment of the Creator archetype.
A charismatic conman and a wandering deity, Wednesday is always scheming, always building, whether it’s forging alliances, spinning lies, or shaping the world itself to fit his vision.
He recruits Shadow Moon, a recently released convict, into a dangerous game: a war between the old gods, who are fading into obscurity, and the new gods, born from modern obsessions like media, technology, and celebrity.
As the driving force behind the rebellion of forgotten deities, Wednesday is a Creator not in the traditional sense, but as an architect of chaos.
Discover American Gods by Neil Gaiman.
7. The Ruler
The Ruler archetype is all about control and power (for better or worse). They can be a literal ruler as a king or queen, or a leader of a varying sort such as a manager or leader of a team of outcasts.
In We That Are Young, Preti Taneja reimagines Shakespeare’s King Lear in the heart of contemporary India, where wealth and power determine fate. At the centre of this modern epic stands Devraj Bapuji, the billionaire patriarch and political mastermind who embodies the Ruler archetype.
A man of absolute authority, he presides over a vast business empire and wields his influence with a god-like presence, shaping the destinies of those around him.
Like all rulers, Devraj demands loyalty and obedience, but his love is conditional, measured in control and domination.
Read We That Are Young by Preti Taneja.
8. The Magician
The Magician is one who believes they can make things happen, they understand the rules of the world and bend them to make dreams come to life. They are healers, visionaries, catalysts, and even leaders.
Elara, the heroine of Heavenly Bodies, embodies the Magician archetype. Elara is someone who possesses untapped power, seeks transformation, and wields magic that can reshape destiny itself.
Cursed by prophecy and pursued by fate, Elara is a woman caught between cosmic forces far greater than herself. Her journey from the Kingdom of Night to the Kingdom of Light is more than a physical escape. Like a true Magician, she is not merely at the mercy of prophecy. She is a force who learns to harness her own strength, defy expectations, and bend destiny to her will.
Dive into destiny and read Heavenly Bodies by Imani Erriu.
9. The Lover
Another of the twelve common archetypes is the Lover. The Lover archetype is one that fears being alone. They are the friend, the partner, and the soulmate.
Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley embody The Lover archetype. They are characters driven by deep emotional connections, longing, and the pursuit of something greater than themselves: love. Their story spans twenty years, capturing the intensity, heartbreak, and beauty of relationships that evolve over time.
From the moment they meet in 1988, their connection is undeniable, yet fate continually weaves them together and pulls them apart. Through laughter and loss, joy and regret, their relationship is a testament to the power of love in all its messy, unpredictable, and life-altering forms.
Fall in love with One Day by David Nicholls.
10. The Caregiver
The Caregiver is selfless and filled with compassion. They are saints, supportive friends, fathers, and mother characters who have an open heart, willing to nurture and love those around them.
Reverend Jack Brooks perfectly embodies The Caregiver archetype. He is a protector and nurturer who carries the weight of others’ burdens while battling their own struggles. A single parent and vicar, Jack arrives in Chapel Croft seeking a fresh start, only to be met with a village steeped in dark history and hidden terrors.
Despite the eerie welcome and ominous past, Jack’s role as a caregiver remains unwavering.
Read The Burning Girls by C. J. Tudor.
11. The Jester
The Jester is a quick thinker, sharpened by wit, and determined to live life to the fullest. They are the comedic relief or the wise-cracking trickster or the joyful friend.
Lani embodies The Jester archetype, but not in the traditional sense of a comic trickster. Instead, she is thrust into the secret world of the Jesters. With an ancient society guarding a powerful secret, her wit, adaptability, and resilience become her greatest assets.
At first, she is an ordinary young woman scraping by, watching over her kin. But when she stumbles upon the dying Ashantha and takes possession of his amulet, she is on the run, navigating a dangerous world where deception and hidden truths are everywhere.
Like the best Jesters in literature, Lani uses intelligence and quick thinking to survive. She must stay a step ahead of deadly assassins, uncover long-buried secrets, and seek out the one person who can help her.
Read A Fool’s Errand by D.E. King.
12. The Sage
The Sage archetype is a wise character, one who uses their intelligence as their sharpest weapon and believes in the universal truth.
Elizabeth Hawksmith embodies The Sage archetype, a figure of wisdom, patience, and deep knowledge, shaped by centuries of survival and self-discovery. With 384 years of experience, she has honed her skills as a Hedge Witch, understanding both the light and dark sides of magic.
Having witnessed history unfold, from witch trials to modern England, Elizabeth carries the burden of knowledge, knowing that power always comes at a price.
Explore The Witch’s Daughter by Paula Brackston.
Discover New British Books
Archetypes are the classic stock character types and story patterns that pop up in books time and time again. They help us make sense of stories, connect with characters, and even learn something about ourselves. In understanding character archetypes we can challenge the status quo like an Outlaw, relate to our neighbour like the Everyman, or stand up for our beliefs like the Rebel character.
Looking for a book that challenges societal norms? A story of resilience and transformation? A mystical journey through time?
Whether you find yourself drawn to the Hero, the Sage, the Ruler, or the Jester, there’s a book by a British author out there for you. Keep your eye out in your next read for memorable characters that represent the classic archetypal character or ones that subvert archetypes with new twists.
Embrace your favourite archetype, or explore some new ones and start reading!