Characters

Characters are essential puzzle pieces in all narratives.  “Picture this, we were both buck naked” is simple story with two characters from Shaggy song “it wasn’t me.” Shaggy message is clear and the picture he paints with his words of the two characters are unmistakable. I believe humans gravitate towards characters they can comprehend easily but viewers will be captivated by characters that are false heroes or false villains because they do not know how the character will act and it gives an added must tune in to see what their favorite character does next. Writers can manipulate the audience perception of characters in multitudes of ways by dictating the dialogue. Film directors can use lighting and camera angles to affect the audiences reception to characters. 

Harry Potter, the hero, the protagonist in an epic adventure of good verse evil.The audience in introduced to Harry when he is baby when a wizard named Voldemort kills Harry’s Parents in front of him. Harry life was saved by an heroic last act by Harry’s mother. Early in the story Harry leaves his home (where he has been abused by his aunt and uncle) (they forced him to live in a closet under the staircase when they had a spare bedroom) to go to Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry.   

Voldemort, the villain,  he was known as Tom Riddle when he went to Hogwarts. Voldemort is the literal representation of evil whose character gives the audience no need to pause to evaluate the morality of his cause.  There is not one re deeming quality or action in this villains character.  Not once did Voldemort help any character or show any positive characteristics.

       

Ronald Weasley  - helper, Harry’s best friend and classmate. Ron’s parents take kind to Harry and help him learn the ropes of the wizard world. Later in the story Harry weds Ron’s sister Ginny which further connects the bond. Like any friendship that spans over many years their relationship has its up and downs but their bond remains strong and is even tested by Voldemort when Voldemort tried to make Ron jealous of Harry.  At that moment the audience wondered if Ron would forsake Harry and the scene proved to be one of the most climactic in the series.  

Severus Snape, The False hero, or in the case the false villain.  Professor Snape was the leader of the sldytherian house at Hogwarts. The Slytherans were the rivals to the Griffindors (Harrys house). So a natural distain for each other occurred.  The audience did not find out until the end of the story that Snape had a history with Harrys parents and that circumstance led to one of a kind type relationship. Snape is instructed by Dumbledore to do the unthinkable but they know it is the only way to defeat Lord Voldemort so the plot has a twist at the end which makes the audience re think how they thought of Snape the entire story. 

To compartmentalize is a big part of modern day culture in today's super enlightened time we are all privileged to be a part of. Most characters fall into our sub conscience compartments we have divided amongst the different types of people we have encountered through out our lives. I find myself watching the same stories over and over because overtime you can find nuances with in each of the characters and a greater appreciation of the story occurs.