Character Archetypes Series: #6 Shapeshifter
Before getting to the final part of the Hero’s Journey, we stop to describe two important characters in the narrative. In the previous article, we talked about the Herald, and this article of Character Archetypes Series we talk about Shapeshifter.
This is a character who changes throughout the story. However, it does not change shape but function in the Hero’s Journey. When we met him, he seemed to be bad. His role is to hinder the Hero in his path. Only towards the end of the story, the Shapeshifter reveals himself to be good.
He is also a figure who has worked behind the scenes to help, without even letting the Hero himself know.
Similarly, the Shapeshifter can apparently be a friend. In the end, he turns out to be an enemy, or someone ready to thwart the Hero.
The Shapeshifter archetype in the Hero’s Journey
Batman in his story had to face many villains. However, one of the most successful characters is Catwoman. She finds herself a superhero, after being fallen out of a window and rescued by some stray cats. She is very similar to Batman; a night vigilante but decides to join forces with Penguin, Batman’s arch-enemy.
However, Selina Kyle, Catwoman’s human part, begins a relationship with Bruce Wayne, aka Batman. With the narrative, Batman will discover who is behind Catwoman’s mask and that his beloved is actually an enemy to fight.
On the contrary, a famous example of a character who initially we thought to be the antagonist of Harry Potter is Severus Snape. In the last chapter of the narrative, we discover that he was protecting the young wizard on many occasions.
He always led him to the right path. He fell in love with Harry’s mother, Lily, and for this reason he tried to always protect the boy. And he does not ever let anyone know anything.
«After all this time?»
«Always» answered Snape.
Harry Potter
The function of the Shapeshifter
This character has the function of creating doubts, suspicions, and uncertainty. It also makes a twist in the story. This character is not to be confused with a liar. Even if they are aimed at a different purpose from what we thought, the actions he does are still real.
According to Campbell, it is related to the Hero’s soul and his energy. It is a catalyst for change, changing behavior in the service of history.
Use bibisco novel writing software to create your own Shapeshifter
The Shapeshifter has its own identity. He tries to confuse the hero during his Journey. However, this element makes the adventure more eventful and helps to strengthen the hero’s determination. In conclusion, the archetype of the Shapeshifter is crucial for the success of the story.
Thanks to the innovative interview mode of bibisco novel writing software, you will understand how to create a Shapeshifter character. With this archetype, you could hit the viewer or the reader with a twist at the moment of its revelation.
Conclusions
During the Hero’s Journey, the Shapeshifter could represent some uncertainties of the Hero’s ego. When he has grown up enough, he will be able to abandon this condition of dissatisfaction that led him at the beginning of his Journey.
In our lives, the Shapeshifter represents the moment when we face our personality and everyday difficulties. We could identify these proofs as the Unknown World tests that our Hero and each of us on our journey face before getting to the heart of the problem in the Supreme Ordeal, which we will discuss in the next article.
