45 Master Characters (18 page)

Her sense of purpose is so strong she can do nothing else but be motivated to reach her goal.

How Do Other Characters See the Female Messiah?

Others see her as either good or bad; there's no in between for her. They view her as idealistic, crazy and on a power trip, or as divine, wise and giving. It makes no difference to her.

Many people are jealous of her connection with the Divine, especially clergy. Think of Joan of Arc; her connection to God through her voices led her to be burned at the stake.

Developing the Character Arc

This archetype doesn't necessarily change in her character arc but instead grows stronger through her fears.

Lady Godiva sacrificed her modesty and volunteered to ride naked through the town in order to get her husband to lower the townspeople's taxes. Her selflessness is a trait of the female Messiah archetype.

Look at your character's main goal in the story and then at the fears you've selected to use against her. What can help her overcome her fear? Does she need to learn how to be centered in a crowd of angry people? Does she need to find her identity as an individual separate from the group? Does she need to learn to stand up for her beliefs?

Very often the Messiah needs to learn to let go of the outcome of events and to trust the spirit who guides her. She needs to stick to her own guns and fully believe in herself no matter what the outcome.

She needs to face her accusers and her own doubts. If she is highly psychic and sensitive she may wonder about her sanity. Others' opinions of her can cause her great distress when she's first taking a stand.

When did her goal or view become strong in her life and why? Was she baptized? Did she go through a right of passage? Were her parents activists? Were they spiritual or religious people? Was she sensitive or psychic as a child? Did she see harm or kindness done to others?

Most likely this archetype will help other characters to grow instead of growing herself.

She may find laughter with the Maiden.

And nice silence with the Mystic.

The Protector can be a protective ally for her.

And the Warlock can be a bit of a challenge.

Assets:

• Cares more for others than herself.
  

• Has a healthy sense of who she is.
  

• Has a strong spiritual belief system to pull her through tough times.
  

• Seemed smarter and older than most adults when she was a child.
  

• Is willing to sacrifice herself for the good of all.
  

• Stands up for her beliefs no matter the cost.
  

• Renounces material possessions.
  

• Lives in tune with nature.
  

• Has an inner strength that never dies.
  

Flaws:

• Tells people the truth even if it's harsh.
  

• Pushes people beyond their limits to help them grow.
  

• Doubts herself.
  

The Female Messiah isn't really a villain in the sense of only being concerned with her own gain and desires. She's a villain in the sense of protecting the highest good for all. As the destroyer she'll drop the atom bomb to stop Hitler — the end is positive but the means are destructive and harsh. She's the mother who says, “I brought you into this world, and I can take you out if you don't behave.”

She does this for your own good and not hers. She'll kill one to save many but who's to say if that one will be your child or not? She seems almost without emotion as she makes such decisions. She'll let you die from a disease she can cure if it'll help your spiritual growth.

There's no emotional or mental involvement in what she does. It's as if she's programmed by the Divine to take care of things. She's like a robot given a mission to accomplish — she just does it.

She doesn't care to justify herself to others; they'll never fully understand her power or the burden she carries. She believes everyone has karma to work out. Do unto others or she'll help others do unto you in order to teach you a lesson.

• Sees things in black and white.
  

• Is unemotional about hurting one to save many. She sees the spirit not the flesh.
  

• Feels the pain of transformation is necessary.
  

• Loves to challenge people and push their limits.
  

• Is a harsh wielder of justice.
  

• Punishes for the greater good of all.
  

• Knows some things can't be explained.
  

• Won't try to reassure others or play favorites.
  

Isis in Action

Monica (Roma Downey) in
Touched By an Angel

Bernadette Soubirous (Jennifer Jones) in
The Song of Bernadette

Leeloo (Milla Jovovich) in
The Fifth Element

Mary of Nazareth (Pernilla August) in
Mary, Mother of Jesus

Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) in
The Matrix

Jade Fox (Pei-pei Cheng) in
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Norma Rae (Sally Field) in
Norma Rae

Erin Brockovich (Julia Roberts) in
Erin Brockovich

Joan of Arc

Wonder Woman

Lady of the Lake in Arthurian Legend

Lady Godiva Morgaine in
The Mists of Avalon
by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Mary Magdalene in
The Moon Under Her Feet
by Clysta Kinstler

Angela McCourt in
Angela's Ashes
by Frank McCourt

Hester Prynne in
The Scarlet Letter
by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Galadriel in
The Lord of the Rings
by J.R.R. Tolkien

Dancing through the fields, Persephone picks flowers as the sun sets. Without a care in the world, she stops to watch butterflies flutter around her feet. In the distance she sees a magnificent narcissus flower and runs toward it. Picking the flower, her mind so absorbed in the moment, she doesn't see Hades rising up from the Earth to kidnap her as his bride, the flower his bait. The harsh reality of life has taken her by surprise and awakened her from her blissful stupor. She learns to use her suffering to help others by guiding the souls of the dead to their final resting places. Her mother's grief at her absence allows her to return above ground in the spring when the flowers bloom.

The Maiden lives a charmed playful life unconcerned with annoying daily errands and problems. “It's no big deal” is her mantra. She's not stressed out because she never worries about things. She takes risks because she feels invulnerable and pushes others to follow her on her exploits like Lucy does with Ethel in
I Love Lucy
. Her self-confidence rubs off on others.

Age isn't a factor when creating this archetype since she may be in her forties yet still acts like a little girl who wants to party and have fun. Her youthful looks never fade. She hasn't grown up and doesn't want to. Marriage, kids and responsibility aren't foremost on her mind.

When something happens that pushes her to open her eyes she'll find that she has a big heart and a great capacity to be a healer and a guide for others.

In
Tess of the d'Urbervilles
by Thomas Hardy, both Angel Clare (an Artist) and Alec d'Urberville (a Seducer) idealize Tess (a Maiden) as a young and pure innocent.

The Maiden doesn't realize the danger that lurks in the world. Trauma can be a rite of passage for her, opening her eyes to reality. There are occasions where she may suppress a traumatic experience as if it never happened, but she then becomes a ticking time bomb as similar situations in her life force the memory to the surface.

In
Daisy Miller
by Henry James, the title character shares traits with the Maiden archetype; her youthful naivete´ eventually leads to her death.

What Does the Maiden Care About?

The Maiden cares about her relationship with her mother. She tries to stay on the good side of others who support and take of her. She'll hold her tongue and keep her opinions to herself to keep the peace.

She likes being dependent upon others; it removes responsibility for her life from her own shoulders. She prefers to let others worry about paying the bills.

She loves to meet new people and have fun. She's always looking for the next fad, trend or game to play. Everything new and different catches her eye. She's never bored. She likes to take classes because they only last a few weeks and change often. She can meet new people every semester.

What Does the Maiden Fear?

The Maiden fears having to make decisions for herself. She'll bother everyone around her until someone makes a decision for her. She doesn't want to fend for herself if she doesn't have to. She believes there's power in making others do things for you.

She doesn't want others to pass her by and grow up without her. She needs people to play with.

Her greatest fear is being trapped in a nine-to-five job or a controlling relationship with a man. She needs her space and freedom. Her spirit is fragile.

People think she's naive, and she fears being attacked.

She's not totally immune to the world around her; she tries to enjoy life in spite of it.

What Motivates the Maiden?

Safety and security is what motivates the Maiden. She needs to know that there's someone there to catch her if she falls. Whether she has faced the harshness in life or not, or if she is rich or poor, she knows she needs someone to support her free lifestyle.

If she ever faces a traumatic situation her need for security and protection will grow.