45 Master Characters (60 page)

Red herrings thrown into the story to lead him down the wrong path.

A villain who changes all the rules on him.

A new villain.

The thing he cares most about which is in jeopardy.

The strength and weaknesses of his archetype are tested here.

Awakening

If he's going down the path to awaken and change, this is when his defenses start to break down on him. He feels like his world is about to fall apart. He doesn't know who he is anymore.

If he's mental he is physically tested. If he can't face his emotions then he is thrusted into an emotional situation. If he's greedy he is asked to sacrifice. Think of Ebenezer Scrooge in
A Christmas Carol
, who is so greedy and closed-minded he needs to witness the past, present and future of his life as well as others before he finally changes.

Also think of Martin Lawrence in
Bad Boys
. He has to switch places with his partner. He goes crazy watching his partner spend more time with his wife then he ever did. He starts to feel bad for all the time he's lost with his family.

Think of Detective Sergeant Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) in
Lethal Weapon
and how he fights to hold his emotions toward the loss of his wife at bay. He struggles to keep his defenses up.

Rebellion

If he's going down the path to rebel, then this is when he tries to beef up his failing defenses. He may become more rageful and unstable. Think of the character Rambo. Several characters try to reason with him and change his mind but no one can get through to him. He's on autopilot, fulfilling his mission like a good solider. He's like Captain Ahab in
Moby Dick
, blinded by his rage.

Even a good hero who rebels can get unstable taking risks he shouldn't take, doing whatever it takes to reach his goal. Think of all the karate films where the hero puts his life on the line because he's afraid to back down and lose face in front of people he doesn't really care about. Most of the time there is a master nearby who willingly walks away from the fight because he's secure with who he is. He's trying to teach this to his eager student who looks down on him for walking away.

Warnings and Prophecies

With rebellion usually come warnings against what the hero is doing or prophesies foreshadowing his impending doom.

In
Gilgamesh
, he has terrifying and ominous dreams. In
Moby Dick
Fedallah prophesizes several deaths.

Examples of Stage 6

Gilgamesh
translated by Maureen Kovacs

When Gilgamesh refuses the feminine journey, Inanna sends the bull of heaven to fight him. He kills the bull, but since he has cut down the sacred cedar and killed its guardian as well, he has upset the gods. They decree that someone must die and that it must Enkidu. Gilgamesh is full of pride and will not be told what to do by Inanna. He insults her harshly because he is the king and can do anything he wants. He is his own worst enemy.

Star Wars

First they rescue Princess Leia from her cell, and the empire guards come after them. Then they find themselves stuck in a garbage disposal which turns on. They fight their way to their ship as Luke sees Obi-Wan fighting Darth Vader.

Three Kings

Archie realizes that his companion Troy (Mark Wahlberg) has been taken hostage. He needs the rebels to help him get Troy out. They make a deal — if Archie helps them get to the border they'll help him carry the gold and get Troy out of danger. Archie listens as the rebels tell their stories. He's moved somewhat by what they've endured and feels a little selfish for only caring about the gold. He doesn't know what good he can do but he now questions himself more. They leave and face many obstacles on the way to rescue Troy.

Moby Dick
by Herman Melville

Captain Ahab must keep the crew in line. He struggles for control of the ship against those who might consider mutiny. He must guide the ship through the ice and deal with warnings from other captains and Fedallah, a man on board who foretells the future. Ahab won't change his mind, and he won't listen to reason.

Gender-Bending:
The Long Kiss Goodnight

Charly shoots several men in an alley who try to attack her, and she learns that the government wants her dead. She decides to get out of town, but she needs the money and passports she has locked in a safe. However, her daughter has the key to the safe so she'll have to go home to get it.

Stretch your imagination about creating trials for him. Does he have a hobby you can use?

• In
  The Long Kiss Goodnight
  Samantha/Charly knows how to ice skate, and there's a scene in the film where this skill is recalled. She puts on the ice skates, skates across the lake and is able to escape from the bad guys.
  

Can a supporting character add conflict here?

Make sure all his helpers, tools and expertise are foreshadowed.

His defenses will start to break down. Come up with ways to show it, not tell it.

Give him several reasons to change his ways if he'll awaken. Try to persuade him to open his eyes.

Stage 7: Death — A Fork in the Road

John gropes around in the darkness and finds his water bottle. He feels for the rope that will guide him back to camp as the fallen man moans behind him. John wonders if he should risk his own life to help this man. He thinks it over for a moment and then drags the man back to camp with him.