A person in a story.

A character is one of the essential elements of storytellinng. There are different types of characters in literature, each with different function in the story, and requiring its own development.

The main character of a story is usually referred to as the 'protagonist', whilst the character who opposes him or her in some way, is called the 'antagonist'.

A 'dynamic character' is a character that changes during the course of the story, and for whom the change in outlook will be permanent. Sometimes, people will refer to such character as a 'developing character'.

A 'static character', on the contrary, does not change or grow, and remains the same throughout the story.

A 'confidente' is a person (or other) in whom the central charater confides; s/he helps reveal the main character's thought, intention, emotions, personality.

A 'flat character' is one which reveals a very limited number of personality traits throughout the story, and does not change.

A 'round character' is one that expresses a range, a variety of traits, sometimes even contradictory traits. Round

characters are usually dynamic and tend to change throughout the story.

A 'stock character' is a character that is usually recognised easily, and is based on a set of 'typical' traits; they are usually not the focus of, no developped in, a story.

A 'foil' is a character that helps contrast another, and thus help enhance this other character's traits (think of Cinderella and her ugly step-sisters.)

Although listed separately, characters can combine different types in one, although of course, opposites cannot be combined, for example, a flat character cannot be round at the same time. However, a protagonist can be a dynamic, round character.