Protagonists, Antagonists

There are different kinds of characters.

Characters can be

* protagonists (heroes), The main character around whom most of the work revolves.

* antagonists, The person who the protagonist is against. This is often the villain, but could be a force of nature, set of circumstances, an animal, etc.

* major, These are the main characters. They dominate the story. Often there are only one or two major characters.

* minor, These are the characters who help tell the major character's tale by letting major characters interact and reveal their personalities, situations, stories. They are usually static (unchanging).

* dynamic (changing), See below under "Look at specific things."

* static (unchanging),

* stereotypical (stock), This is the absent minded professor, the jolly fat person, the clueless blonde.

* foils, These are the people whose job is to contrast with the major character. This can happen in two ways. One: The foil can be the opposite of the major character, so the major's virtues and strengths are that much "brighter" in reflection. Two: The foil can be someone like the major character, with lite versions of the major's virtues and strengths so that the major comes off as even stronger.

* round (3 dimensional), This means the character has more than one facet to their personality. They are not just a hardcore gamer, but they also play basketball on the weekends.

* flat (1 dimensional), This is the character who is only viewed through one side. This is the hardcore gamer. That's all there is to the character.