Character traits are important aspects of any character in fiction. They help the author to describe its character’s true nature, personality and make them more lifelike.
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Character Traits-
Character traits define a character’s personality, behaviour, and the way they act in certain circumstances, situations, or interacting with other characters.
Like natural aspects of human behaviour and personality, showcasing both vice & virtue, flaw & perfection, good or evil, every character in a fictional story contains character (personality) traits which can be good, bad or both.
Learning about different character traits will help you to better develop your character and also to create a memorable character that readers adore for their lifetime.
Related: Anti-Hero Character Traits
Character Trait Examples in Literature-
Take a deeper dive into character traits and understand the term closely by exploring the examples of character traits of the renowned fictional characters from popular novels.
Let’s have a look at the examples of character (personality) traits of some popular characters in literature.
1. Harry Potter book series
by J.K Rowling
CHARACTERS-
Harry Potter
Character Traits- Brave, forgiving, intelligent, selfless, loyal, kind, sassy, moody, determined.
Hermione Granger
Character Traits- Clever, levelheaded, book-smart, logical, bossy-ish, inspiring, brave, kind, impatient, loyal, smart
Ron Weasley
Character Traits- Lazy, loyal, funny, hot-headed, courageous, immature, protective, adventurous, mischievous.
Draco Malfoy
Character Traits- Intelligent, cunning, Snobby, Insecure, mean, selfish, arrogant, bully, skilled, prejudiced, adaptable
Neville Longbottom
Character Traits- Clumsy, shy, timid, bumbling, insecure, sensitive, nervous, determined, kind, humble, noble, brave, heroic, forgetful
Albus Dumbledore
Character Traits- Wise, kind, gentle, knowledgeable, secretive, open-minded, caring, intelligent, understanding, manipulative, benevolent, self-sacrificing, emotional
Severus Snape
Character Traits- Cold, sarcastic, bitter, precise, calculating, insecure, talented, ambitious, judgmental, cruel, intelligent, committed, skilled, bully, malicious,
Rubeus Hagrid
Character Traits- Warm, kind-hearted, courageous, loyal, emotional, hard-working, generous, insecure, determined, forgetful, caring, sneaky, dishonest, sensitive, helpful, selfless, fatherly.
Sirius Black
Character Traits- Over-emotional, rebellious, caring, arrogant, brave, impatient, reckless, loyal, brooding.
Lucius Malfoy
Character Traits- Vain, fickle, bigoted, arrogant, odious, sneaky, cruel, cowardice, wicked, disloyal, unreliable, intelligent, vindictive, slippery, manipulative
Dobby
Character Traits- Brave, loyal, innocent, cowardly, paranoid, scared, shy, heroic, anxious, quiet, timid, friendly, sweet, helpful, passive, quirky, sensitive.
Lord Voldemort
Character Traits- Ruthless, cold, powerful, cruel, evil, psychopath, sadistic, tyrannical, merciless, black-hearted, manipulative, mysterious, dangerous, violent, failure-intolerant
Related: Dynamic Character Examples
2. The Great Gatsby
by F. Scott Fitzgerald
CHARACTERS-
Jay Gatsby
Character Traits- Dishonest, flowed, vulgar, optimistic, mysterious, dreamer, hopeful,
Nick Carraway
Character Traits- Honest, tolerant, confident, open-minded, quiet, observant, impressionable, naive, self-deprecating, judgemental, straightforward
Daisy Buchanan
Character Traits- Charming, shallow, sophisticated, fickle, selfish, hurtful, beautiful, irresponsible, disappointing
Tom Buchanan
Character Traits- Hypocrite, racist, sexist, brutal, unfaithful, menace, bully, arrogant, hulking, aggressive,
Related: Round Character Examples
3. To Kill a Mockingbird
by Harper Lee
CHARACTERS-
Atticus Finch
Character Traits- Wise, compassionate, intelligent, thoughtful, brave, honorable, honest, patient, moral, admirable, idealistic
Scout Finch
Character Traits- Tomboy, adorable, intelligent, sensitive, emotional, confidant, thoughtful, questioner, observer, outspoken, brave, curious
Jem Finch
Character Traits- Caring, kind, imaginative, curious, stubborn
Related: Static Character Examples
4. Pride and Prejudice
by Jane Austen
CHARACTERS-
Elizabeth Bennet
Character Traits- Intelligent, Lovely, witty, vivacious, judgmental, impulsive, stubborn, lively.
Jane Bennet
Character Traits- Kind, gentle, reserved, considerate, sweet-tempered, beautiful, good-natured, modest, angelic.
Fitzwilliam Darcy
Character Traits- Intelligent, honest, proud, judgmental, class-conscious, forthright, forbidding, noble, wealthy.
Charles Bingley
Character Traits- Wealthy, attractive, affable, easily swayed, lively, easygoing, good-humored, gentlemanlike, humble, sincere, optimistic, modest.
Mr. Collins
Character Traits- Conceited, pompous, narrow-minded, annoying, fawning, idiotic.
George Wickham
Character Traits- Charming, handsome, well-spoken, manipulative, irresponsible, opportunist, liar.
Miss Charlotte Bingley
Character Traits- Snobby, vain, arrogant, offensive, mean, glamorous, haughty, envious, sly.
5. Little Women
by Louisa May Alcott
CHARACTERS-
Jo March
Character Traits- Tomboyish, sassy, daring, outspoken, bookworm, bold, original, caring, tempestuous, reckless, talented, smart, independent, hot-tempered, rambunctious, imaginative, stubborn, impulsive.
Meg March
Character Traits- Demure, romantic, mature, sweet-natured, dutiful, well-behaved, elegant, delicate, devoted, mother-like, considerate, caring.
Amy March
Character Traits- Artistic, ambitious, self-centered, spoiled, melodramatic, selfish, people-orianted, out-going, extrovert.
Beth March
Character Traits- Sweet, sensitive, shy, timid, soft-spoken, kind, reserved, selfless, quiet, pious, musical, peaceful.
Theodore ”Laurie” Laurence
Character Traits- Charming, handsome, wealthy, sharp, cheeky, out-going, fun-loving, easy-going, high-spirited, protective, kind
List of 101 Character (Personality) Traits in Literature
The list includes the most common character (personality) traits used by the writers for their characters.
1. Brave
2. Humble
3. Honest
4. Loyal
5. Kind
7. Forgiving
8. Trustworthy
9. Sly
10. Selfless
11. Proud
12. Determined
13. Clever
14. Manipulative
15. Protective
16. Wealthy
17. Courageous
18. Daring
19. Vain
20. Eager
21. Strict
22. Adventurous
23. Skilled
24. Liar
25. Serious
26. Shy
27. Timid
28. Bumbling
29. Hot-tempered
30. Impulsive
31. Sensitive
32. Jealous
33. Noble
34. Opportunist
35. Reckless
36. Heroic
37. Wise
38. Dutiful
39. Gentle
40. Open Minded
41. Mature
42. Calm
43. Snobby
44. Emotional
45. Annoying
46. Considerate
47. Tolerant
48. Miserable
49. Intelligent
50. Caring
51. Romantic
52. Talented
53. Haughty
54. Determined
55. Ambitious
56. Lazy
57. Stubborn
58. Committed
59. Rude
60. Warm
61. Self-centered
62. Spoiled
63. Kind-hearted
64. Quiet
65. Faithful
66. Melodramatic
67. Hardworking
68. Selfish
69. Extrovert
70. Generous
71. Helpful
72. Soft-spoken
73. Optimistic
74. Honest
75. Funny
76. Confidant
77. Dishonest
78. Grumpy
79. Sincere
80. Compassionate
81. Thoughtful
82. Bossy
83. Honorable
84. Admirable
85. Loner
86. Sneaky
87. Adorable
88. Reserved
89. Curious
90. Witty
91. Lively
92. Good-natured
93. Foolish
94. Modest
95. Gullible
96. Conceited
97. Loving
98. Wicked
99. Charming
100. Impatient
101. Evil
Bonus-
- Fun-loving
- Bold
- Forgetful
- Wicked
- Cheerful
- Ugly
- Mean
- Cruel
- Patient
- Prejudiced
- Talkative
- Silly
- Rebellious
- Bully
- Tough
- Cunning
- Easygoing
- Humored
- Pompous
- Cheeky
- Vindictive
- Fickle
- Insecure
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