Vladimir Propp

Vladimir Yakovlevich Propp analysed the basic plot components of Russian folk tales to identify their simplest irreducible narrative elements. This is how he came up with Character Types.

These characters include;

- The hero
- The villain
- The helper
- The mentor
- The prize / princess
- The donor
- The blocker

The hero's role is to defeat the villain and bring everything back to normal.
The villain's role is to try and defeat the hero.
The helper's role is to assist the hero.
The mentor's role is to teach the hero skills that will be needed to defeat the villain.
The prize / princess is what the villain and hero are fighting over.
The donor's role is to supply the hero with equipment that is needed.
The blocker's role is to try help the villain defeat the hero.