Key Takeaways on the Lover Archetype Character:

The Lover Archetype: Lover characters lead with their hearts and are driven by love and intimate relationships.

Character Traits: They are devoted, passionate, and open with their feelings – often to the point of either self-sacrifice or obsession.

Emotional Bond & Growth: Lovers form deep connections that drive their actions and decisions. These connections help them and others grow throughout the story.

Are you a writer, creator, or filmmaker who wants to include a Lover Archetype character in your own story or screenplay?

To help you write your own Lover character, this article will go over the characteristics of the Lover archetype character, their strengths and weaknesses, and what their motivations are in a story. We’ll end with discussing lots of great examples of Lover characters from movies and books that you’ll recognize.

Let’s get started!

What Is The Lover Archetype?

The Lover character archetype leads with their heart, and wears it proudly on their sleeve. Love keeps them going, no matter what. They’re selfless and fully devoted to the one they love, even if it means putting themselves in danger.

The Lover represents the idea of placing another’s well-being over your own through romantic, familial or platonic relationships.

Their strengths are their devotion to another, and their passion for that person, place or thing. They’re open with their feelings and don’t care who knows it. In doing so, however, their weaknesses are losing themselves to please others, for fear of being alone and unloved. They’re often willing to sacrifice themselves or even die for another.

Lover archetypes are motivated to be in a relationship with the people, the work, the experience or the surroundings they love. They’ll give everything they have to another, so as to make their relationship as strong as it can be. For the object of their affection, their motto is,

“I only have eyes for you.”

Strengths of the Lover Archetype

Devotion

A lover’s devotion is unmatched. This particular archetype is willing to stand by their loved ones no matter what happens in the story. This loyalty can make them powerful allies, and it also brings a sense of stability to the story.

Their unwavering support often helps other characters achieve their goals in a story.

Example: Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings shows his devotion by staying with Frodo through his quest to destroy the One Ring.

Passion

Lovers are full of passion. Their intense feelings can lead to dramatic moments in a story and helps them form strong connections with other characters.

This passion can inspire other characters in a story, and it helps to bring an emotional tone to that story.

Example: Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice shows her great passion through her spirited nature and the lively conversations she has with those around her.

Open with feelings

Being open with feelings is a key strength of the lover archetype. They wear their hearts on their sleeves, which makes them genuine and relatable to audiences. This openness can break down barriers within the story and foster strong bonds with other characters.

The lover’s willingness to share their emotions makes their relationships more meaningful.

Example: Anna Scott in Notting Hill is open about her feelings for William. Her vulnerability and honesty help build a deep human connection between them.

Weaknesses of the Lover Archetype

Losing self

One big weakness of the lover archetype character is that they often lose their sense of self. They often put their partner’s needs above their own or view a situation through rose tinted glasses. This can make them seem selfless, but it also means they might neglect their own dreams and goals.

Over time, this can make the lover archetype feel lost and unfulfilled.

Example: Juliet Capulet in Romeo and Juliet loses herself in her love for Romeo. She makes decisions based on their relationship rather than her own well-being, and this leads to tragic consequences for them both.

Fear of being alone

A common weakness for lovers is the fear of being alone. They might stay in bad relationships just to avoid the feeling of loneliness, or they might just be overly dependent on others in the story.

The fear of being alone can also lead to poor choices and a lack of self-worth when they are not in a relationship.

Example: Bridget Jones in Bridget Jones’s Diary often stays in unhealthy relationships because she fears being alone. This fear drives her to make questionable choices and undermines her self-confidence.

Self-sacrifice

Lovers often sacrifice too much for the sake of others. While this can be noble, it can also be harmful. They might give up their own happiness, dreams, or well-being, and this self-sacrifice can lead to resentment and burnout.

It’s important for lovers to find a healthy balance between helping others and taking care of themselves.

Example: Will Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean sacrifices his own dreams and safety to save Elizabeth Swann. His love for Elizabeth drives him to make dangerous choices that put his own life and happiness on the line for her sake.

Motivation of the Lover Archetype

Relationship

Lovers are driven by their relationships. They seek deep connections with others and work hard to keep them strong. Whether it’s a romantic partner, family, or friends, these bonds are their top priority.

This focus on relationships can shape their actions and decisions, pushing the lover archetype to protect and nurture the people they care about.

Example: Noah Calhoun in The Notebook is driven by his love for Allie. He works tirelessly to rebuild the house they dreamed of together, hoping to rekindle their relationship.

Affection

Lovers crave affection. They need to feel loved and appreciated. This desire drives many of their actions, from grand romantic gestures to small acts of kindness. They also give a lot of affection in return, making those around them feel valued and cherished.

This constant exchange of affection keeps their relationships strong.

Example: Peeta Mellark in The Hunger Games expresses his affection for Katniss through small acts of kindness and protection. His desire to be loved and to show love helps him form a deep bond with Katniss, which supports them both through difficult times.

Love

For lover archetypes, love is everything. It’s what they strive for and what guides them. They believe in the power of love to heal and unite, and this belief shapes their choices and actions.

They work hard to create and maintain loving relationships, seeing love and intimacy as the key to a happy life.

Example: Wesley in The Princess Bride is driven by his love for Buttercup. He goes through great challenges and dangers to be with her, showing that love is his guiding force and the key to their happy ending.

Love learning about character archetypes for your stories?

Learn more about the classic Jungian archetypes, including tons of great examples from movies and books: the sage, the hero, the caregiver, the magician, the lover, the jester, the explorer, the ruler, the creator, the innocent, the outlaw and the everyman (everyperson).

There are also tons of more niche archetypes for your story characters, such as these: the monster archetype, the villain archetype and the friendly beast archetype.

Lover Archetype Examples

Now, let’s take a look at some famous Lover archetype examples. Please note that story or movie characters can absolutely belong to more than one character archetype!

Rose in Titanic – Rose’s romantic love for Jack inspires her to break free from societal expectations and follow her heart.
Romeo and Juliet in Romeo and Juliet – The tragic story of these star crossed lovers is the quintessential example of the lover archetype, driven by passion and intense emotions.
Jamie Lannister in Game of Thrones – Jamie’s complex love for Cersei drives many of his actions, showing both his strengths and weaknesses.
Anna in Frozen – Anna’s love for her sister Elsa motivates her to risk everything to save her.
Baby in Dirty Dancing – Baby’s love for Johnny helps her grow and stand up for what she believes in.
Rick Blaine in Casablanca – Rick’s enduring love for Ilsa leads him to make great personal sacrifices for her happiness.
Old Yeller in Old Yeller – The dog’s loyalty and love for his family make him a classic example of the lover archetype.
Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice – Elizabeth’s search for true love and her refusal to settle for anything less defines her character.
Noah Calhoun in The Notebook – Noah’s unwavering love for Allie drives him to rebuild their dream house and wait for her return.
Jack Dawson in Titanic – Jack’s love for Rose inspires him to help her escape a life she doesn’t want.
Hazel Grace Lancaster in The Fault in Our Stars – Hazel’s deep affection for Augustus leads her to open up and embrace love despite her fears.
Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings – Sam’s loyalty and love for Frodo push him to go to great lengths to support his friend.
Lassie in Lassie – Lassie’s devotion to her owners and her willingness to go to great lengths to protect them highlight her as a lover archetype.
Will Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean – Will’s love for Elizabeth motivates him to face numerous dangers to rescue her.
Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables – Anne’s affectionate nature and her love for her friends and family define her character.
Peeta Mellark in The Hunger Games – Peeta’s love for Katniss drives him to protect her and stay by her side through the Games.
Wesley in The Princess Bride – Wesley’s undying love for Buttercup motivates him to overcome countless obstacles to be with her.
Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings – Aragorn’s love for Arwen and his friends motivates him to fight for Middle-earth and embrace his destiny.
Edward Cullen in Twilight – Edward’s intense romantic love for Bella drives him to protect her at all costs, even from himself.
Claire and Jamie Fraser in Outlander – Both characters’ deep love and devotion to each other guide their actions and decisions throughout their adventures.
John Smith in Pocahontas – John’s love for Pocahontas leads him to question his own beliefs and make sacrifices for her and her people.
Molly Weasley in Harry Potter – Molly’s love for her family is evident in her constant care and fierce protection of her children and Harry.

Questions to Ask Yourself When Writing a Lover Character

What drives this character’s desire for love and human connection?
How does this character express their love and affection?
What are this character’s greatest fears when it comes to their relationships?
How does their love influence their decisions and actions in the story?
What sacrifices is this character willing to make for the sake of their loved ones?
How does this character’s devotion impact their personal growth and development?
What are the strengths that this character brings to their relationships?
What weaknesses does this character exhibit because of their intense love?
How do other characters perceive this character’s expressions of love?
In what ways does this character’s love inspire or challenge others in the story?
How does this character handle conflict within their relationships?
What are the key moments in the story where this character’s love is tested?
How does this character’s backstory shape their approach to love and relationships?
What are this character’s dreams and goals outside of their relationships?
How does this character balance their own needs with the needs of their loved ones?
How does the character’s love evolve over the course of the story?
What obstacles does this character face in their pursuit of love?
How does this character’s love story intersect with the main plot of the story?
What lessons does this character learn about love and relationships?
How does this character’s love contribute to the overall theme of the story?

Summary of the Lover

Writing a Lover archetype character into your story is a surefire way to add depth and stir up powerful emotions. By asking yourself the right questions, you can create lovers who are driven by their relationships above all else.

Your Lover Archetype characters should show unwavering devotion, intense passion, or even heartbreaking self-sacrifice.

If you want to develop interesting characters and captivating stories, consider my story consultant services. Let’s work together to make your stories unforgettable. Contact me today to get started!

The Lover Archetype [A Guide For Storytellers & Writers]