Here are some key analytical models which may be useful in developing your own characters:

Character as Action

Aristotle came up with one of the first (and still probably the soundest) analytical descriptions of character. He said unequivocally: there is no such thing.

According to Aristotle, what we call "character" is simply habitual action. It is literally what the person does in pursuit of his or her objective. Characters, viewed in this way, personify specific conflicting forces at work within a metaphorical arena. They operate in time; each with their own momentum and following their own trajectory.

From this perspective, the writer, playing at God in the world of his story, creates characters primarily according to their function. He conceives the drama literally in terms of character.

The Dynamic Of Desire

Every character is propelled by a need for something or somebody. The key questions to ask then in every case are always the same:

What do they want ?
Why do they want it?

The answer to the first question describes the character's Outer Motivation. It should be answerable in terms of a concrete goal (or goals) which can be achieved by taking physical steps. The nature of this ambition is normally revealed by the unfolding action.

The answer to the second question: "Why do they want it?" describes the character's Inner Motivation . This is the character's reason for pursuing an action. It may be part of a "hidden agenda" or the character may not be aware of it at all. It is more often revealed through dialogue.

Character by Classification

Characters are often categorised by their function or roles within the story. These are the two key players in nearly every story:

The Protagonist is generally an individual; although multiple protagonists are allowed, providing they have the same objective. He or she must be a wilful human being pursuing a conscious and/or unconscious goal (If these are different it can be an interesting source of conflict.) The Protagonist must be sympathetic or at least empathetic and capable of pursuing their goal to the end of the line.

The Antagonist, also sometimes called " The Nemesis ", is an embodiment or representative of the forces opposing the Protagonist. He or she must be a specific character, not a collective noun. There can be more than one Antagonist.