Character Archetypes In Literature

verb to cause someone to become hostile or angry

• It is not wise to antagonize your colleagues in the workplace.
• Don't antagonize your sister, she's already in a bad mood.
• If you keep antagonizing him, you're going to start a fight.
• His constant criticism seemed to antagonize her very soul.

noun a woman who flirts or behaves in a teasing manner to attract attention

verb to flirt or behave in a teasing manner to attract attention

• The actress played the role of a coquette in the period drama.
• She's always been a bit of a coquette, flirting with everyone she meets.
• That coquette at the party was really working the room.
• Her coquettish behavior masked her true intentions.

noun a person who lives in the countryside

• The countryman was proud of his agricultural heritage.
• My countryman from the village makes the best homemade jam.
• Hey, countryman, wanna grab a drink at the local pub?
• As a countryman at heart, he preferred the simplicity of rural life over the hustle and bustle of the city.

noun a person who is bad-tempered or habitually sulky

adjective bad-tempered or habitually sulky

• The professor was known to be a bit of a crosspatch when it came to grading papers.
• Don't be such a crosspatch, let's just have fun at the party.
• She's always in a bad mood, such a crosspatch.
• His sour attitude made him seem like a crosspatch in the office.

noun a woman who uses her power or influence to help others in a kind and caring way

• The fairy godmother appeared to Cinderella and granted her wish to attend the royal ball.
• I wish I had a fairy godmother to help me out when I'm in a bind.
• My best friend is like my fairy godmother - always there to make things better.
• The kind stranger who helped me find my way home was like a fairy godmother in disguise.

noun a woman who sells fish, typically in a market or on the street

• The fishwife at the market displayed a wide variety of fresh seafood.
• I heard the fishwife down the street has the best catch of the day.
• That fishwife is always gossiping about everyone in town.
• She was known as the fishwife of the office, always spreading rumors and causing drama.

noun a person who lacks good sense or judgment; a silly or stupid person

• It would be unwise to underestimate someone based on their appearance, as one may appear a fool but possess great intelligence.
• Don't be a fool and trust everything you see on the internet.
• I can't believe he fell for that prank, what a fool!
• She played him like a fiddle, making him look like a fool in front of everyone.

noun a man who is concerned with his clothes and appearance in an affected and excessive way; a dandy

• The fop was known for his extravagant fashion sense and refined manners.
• That fop always dresses in the latest trends.
• Check out that fop with his fancy clothes.
• He may seem like a fop on the outside, but he is actually quite humble and down-to-earth.

noun a comic character in commedia dell'arte and the English harlequinade, depicted as a light-hearted and nimble servant, typically dressed in a diamond-patterned costume

adjective resembling or characteristic of a harlequin; brightly colored or patterned

• The harlequin costume is a traditional outfit worn by performers in commedia dell'arte.
• I love the colorful harlequin pattern on your socks!
• That party was a total harlequin fest, everyone was dressed in crazy outfits.
• Her emotions were like a harlequin, constantly changing and unpredictable.

noun a person, especially a child, who is extremely difficult to control or manage

adjective used to describe someone or something that causes fear or terror

• The child was known to be a holy terror in the classroom, disrupting lessons and causing chaos.
• Watch out for that little boy, he's a holy terror when he's in a mischievous mood.
• She's a holy terror when she's had too much coffee, always buzzing around and getting into everyone's business.
• The new boss was a holy terror when it came to enforcing deadlines and quality standards.

noun An official who is in charge of inquiring into accusations of heresy, witchcraft, or other offenses against the church.

• The inquisitor asked the witness a series of probing questions during the interrogation.
• The inquisitor grilled the suspect for hours trying to get a confession.
• The inquisitor was really digging for dirt on that guy.
• She was like an inquisitor, uncovering every detail of the scandal.

noun a professional entertainer who performs in a foolish or silly manner to amuse others

• The jester entertained the royal court with his witty jokes and acrobatic skills.
• The jester had everyone in stitches with his hilarious antics at the party.
• That jester is a real clown, always cracking jokes and making everyone laugh.
• She played the role of the jester in the office, lightening the mood with her humor during stressful times.

noun a woman who is generous in giving, often used as a title of respect for a wealthy or charitable woman

• The lady bountiful of the town was known for her generous donations to the local charities.
• Everyone in the neighborhood loves Mrs. Smith because she's like our own lady bountiful, always helping out those in need.
• She's the lady bountiful of the group, always treating us to lunch or buying us drinks.
• In her role as the CEO, she was seen as the lady bountiful of the company, always looking out for her employees' well-being.

noun a woman of good social position or one who is refined and well-mannered

• The lady was elegantly dressed in a gown and pearls.
• That lady over there is always so friendly and helpful.
• Check out that cool lady with the funky hairdo!
• She was a true lady, always handling situations with grace and poise.

noun a person regarded as clumsy or uncouth

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• The lout disrupted the meeting with his rude behavior.
• That lout has no manners at all.
• What a total lout, I can't stand being around him.
• The dark clouds gathered above the city like a brooding lout.

noun a dialectal variant of mother, often used in a derogatory or stereotypical manner to refer to a black woman who is a domestic servant or nanny

• The young child was raised by her mammy in the countryside.
• My mammy makes the best apple pie in town.
• Hey mammy, can you pass me the remote?
• The old oak tree stood tall and strong, like a mammy protecting her young.

noun a person who has been rejected or ostracized by society

adjective rejected or ostracized by society

• The outcast struggled to find acceptance within the community.
• The outcast felt like they didn't belong anywhere.
• The outcast was totally on the outs with the cool kids.
• She felt like an outcast in her own family, always being treated differently.

noun a person of lesser status or authority within an organization

adjective relating to or characteristic of a subordinate or inferior position

• The manager delegated the task to his underling to complete by the end of the week.
• I heard the boss is not happy with his underling's performance lately.
• The underling messed up big time and now has to face the consequences.
• In the corporate world, the underling often has to navigate through office politics to get ahead.

noun a person who is vulgar or lacks good taste in manners or behavior

• The socialite was appalled by the behavior of the vulgarian at the charity gala.
• I can't believe that vulgarian's rude comments at the dinner party.
• That guy is such a vulgarian, always making inappropriate jokes.
• His taste in art was that of a vulgarian, preferring flashy and gaudy pieces over more refined works.