Erving Goffman

Erving Goffman’s Character Theory

A character theory is basically analyzing a character upon its role within context of media, such as print or electronic media texts or productions such as films and plays. is useful for analysing and understanding media in which people take on the role of an actor or social actor. Character theories are often based on stereotypes, and the different characteristics that make them up can either be used for positive or negatives purposes. In terms of Goffman’s theory, he suggested that there are four main types of broad characters in a media text or production.

The Protagonist

• What is a protagonist? It is the leading character or one of the

major characters in a play, film, novel, etc. In context to the movie She's The Man (2006), the main character is Viola Hastings (Amanda Bynes) ,who is a girl, a high school soccer player who learns that the girls' team at her school, Cornwall, is being cut. After her request to join the boys' team is refused, she finds a way to play for Cornwall's rival Illyria. She checks in the private school, but here's the catch, she checks in as her twin brother, then is all down hill from there. It is obvious that she is the main character as the film revolves around her.

The Leader

The Deuteragonist

• What is a deuteragonist? It is the second most important character,

after the protagonist. The deuteragonist may switch from being with or against the protagonist depending on the deuteragonist's own conflict/plot.

In context to She's The Man (2006) the deuteragonist or the second most important character is Duke Orsino (Channing Tatum). At Illyria Violas roommate is  Duke Orsino a hot striker on the soccer team. Duke met Viola through the "Sebastian disguise” and through out the movie the story revolves around the complicated love of Viola and Duke.

The Secondary Character

The Bit Player • What is the bit player?According to Goffman’s theory the bit player is a

minor character whose specific background the audience is not aware of. An example of this can be taken from She's The Man (2006). The character that plays “the bit player” or a minor role is Sebastian Hastings (James Kirk). Although his name has been mentioned through out the movie, as Viola’s disguise, he himself is not much present on the screen.

The Fool

• Who is The Fool?According to Goffman The Fool is a character that

uses humor to convey messages. In She's the Man (2006) Viola Hastings (Amanda Bynes) plays the role of the fool. She is a tomboy who is spunky, witty and funny. She loves to play soccer. She is self-reliant. The thought of becoming a debutante and wearing pink and frills makes her gag. Viola loves to eat. Viola has little manners and is very ungraceful. She really believes in girl-power and hates sexist people who think girls can't beat boys and so is challenging the role of a “girl” or a stereotypical girl. In the movie she uses comical dialogues, and her being is the disguise of a boy also adds comedy into the movie.