45 Master Characters (32 page)

Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe) in
The Insider

David Dunn (Bruce Willis) in
Unbreakable

Neo (Keanu Reeves) in
The Matrix

Francesco (Mickey Rourke) in
Francesco

Ulysses Everett McGill (George Clooney) in
O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Charles Foster Kane (Orson Welles) in
Citizen Kane

Ulysses

Gandhi

Robin Hood

David

William Wallace

Malcolm X

Martin Luther King

Superman

Jesus in
Paradise Lost
by Milton

Paul Atreides in
Dune
by Frank Herbert

In the depths of the sea, Poseidon forever sets the course of fate on waters of emotion, raging waves one moment and calm tides the next. He is unpredictable, dangerous and intriguing all at the same time. His eyes hide a mystery no one can quite touch. Once you think you know him he changes. Once you think you have helped him through an emotion another one surfaces more intensely than the last. He can give abundance from the sea's riches or take your life for venturing across his waters.

The Artist is a man who is in touch with his emotions but may not always be the master of them. He can channel his feelings into a creative act, or he can let them simmer under the surface without an outlet until he bursts, lashing out at everyone around him. He has a hard time fitting into a world that devalues men who express their emotions, and this adds to his insecurity and anger. Anger seems to be the only acceptable emotion he is allowed to express, yet his feelings run the gamut from love to rage.

Women are initially very attracted to him for his intensity but soon learn how volatile his emotions can be. If he brings this same intensity when making up after a fight he'll win her over again because he's full of passion.

He doesn't realize the strength his emotions hold. He's very spontaneous and alive. He can amuse himself for hours with a simple toy or switch from one activity to another without missing a beat. If he can learn to control his outbursts he can be a very healthy and vibrant person who deals well with stress and the complexities of life. If his emotions control him he feels completely out of sync with the world around him and becomes a time bomb capable of going off at any moment.

He may seem calm on the surface but he has strong creative juices flowing deep inside. He is very driven to express himself and his ideas; he's passionate and his creativity is always personal. If he creates something, it always holds a deep meaning for him.

He's very instinctual and loves to be out in nature. He probably liked to tell time by the sun as a child.

What Does the Artist Care About?

The Artist cares about releasing his own emotions. He thinks he's the center of the universe. It doesn't matter who is around him or what they may be going through; his emotions come first.

He cares what others think of him and his creative efforts. Rejection is like death. He may destroy a work of art he created if even one person doesn't like it.

He wants to be treated as an equal to all the smarter men around him, but he isn't good at the business side of things and depends on them to help his career along. He cares about pleasing his boss or agent and may wait until he comes home to vent his true feelings.

He cares about appearing in control and looking strong to others. He likes his rage, as he thinks it gives him power and prowess. He uses it as a protective shield, and he needs it to defend himself. He doesn't know how to react to someone without anger as fuel.

In Arthurian legend, the knight Tristan falls in love with his King's bride, Isolde. Even though it is due to a love potion, the effects can't be erased, and Tristan loses all control of his emotions, much like the Artist archetype.

He can get behind a creative project and work for years without running out of steam. He is a born creator.

What Does the Artist Fear?

The Artist fears being seen as inferior to other men who can hold their emotions inside as society expects men to do. He wants to be king of his castle but lacks the authority of the King.

He fears himself. He doesn't want to be a tyrant but has trouble controlling his outbursts. He's terribly afraid of hurting the ones he loves. He's also afraid that someone will harm his loved ones, which would release the vengeful monster in him.

Because he's not a good businessman he's afraid of missing out on big career-making deals. He's always watching to make sure no one else takes credit for his work.

He also fears the creative block. He may have a family or business problem that stifles his creativity, and he may wonder if the muse has permanently left him.

What Motivates the Artist?

His biggest motivator is survival. Every encounter feels like a threat to his survival. It's as if one wrong comment or opinion on his work will destroy his career.