Character Theory: The Amazing Spiderman 2 (2014)

VLADIMIR PROPP’S COMMON CHARACTER’S THEORY

Vladimir Propp was a Russian critic and literary theorist. After analysing over 100 Russian fairytales in the 1920s, he proposed that it was possible to classify the characters and their actions into clearly defined roles and functions. Propp suggested that characters took the role of narrative “spheres of action” or a function. He states that there are six main character types: 

Character Type	Role In Narrative
The Protagonist (Hero/ Heroine)	Leads the narrative, tries to solve the disruption
The Antagonist (Villain)	Tries to prevent the protagonist from achieving the resolution
The Dispatcher	Someone who gives the quest to the hero/ sends the hero on his quest
The Princess/ Prize	A male, female or object as a prize for the protagonist
The Helper	A character whose job is to help the protagonist- often a sidekick
The Donor	A character who gives the protagonist something which helps them in their quest

This theory is applied to many different films today, especially those from the thriller genre. I will relate the theory to the film, The Amazing Spiderman 2 (2014).


The Protagonist- Peter Parker/Spiderman

-Undercover as a heroic figure

-Saves the characters from the antagonist

-Main character who leads the narrative

The Antagonist- Electro/ Max Dillon and Green Goblin/ Harry Osborn

-Max is mutated into a living electric generator and wants power and authority over Spiderman and the city.

-Harry Osborn helps Electro to escape and get revenge on spiderman

-Harry finds a suit made with venom from genetically altered spiders and transforms into a goblin-like creature

-Both attack against spiderman

The Dispatcher- Harry Osborn

-Convinces Peter to find spiderman and ask for his blood.

-Old friend of Peter, turns out to become the antagonist.

The Princess/ The Helper- Gwen Stacey

-Is taken by the villain and must be rescued by the hero

-Girlfriend to the protagonist

-Helps spiderman get the power back up across the city and fight against the antagonist.

The Donor- Aunt May

-Tells Peter about his parents in order for him to solve the mystery of their suspicious death.