Stock Characters

1. Stock Characters These are the cliché characters of melodrama, although not supposed to be lifelike, they had to be identifiable and familiar to the audience

2. The Hero • Handsome, strong, brave • Honest and reliable • Generally middle class or higher • Usually normal clothes (tuxedo or smartly dressed because of class) • Strong gestures and loud, strong voice

3. The Heroine • Beautiful, courageous • Innocent and vulnerable • Generally middle class or higher • Usually wears dresses, corsets, jewellery • High, lady-like speech and gestures

4. The Villain • Cunning, without morals • Dishonest • Cruel and evil • Generally middle classor higher • Dressed in cloak, dark clothes, generally has a moustache to twirl maniacally • Deep, dark voice and snake-like gestures

5. The Villain’s accomplice (minion) • Usually comic relief • Bumbling sidekick • Generally lower class • Dressed either in rags or fancy clothes depending on the villain • Stuttering and sometimes fearful speech towards the villain • Lower gestures and stance

6. The Faithful Servant • Also comic relief • Does the dirty work • Sometimes finds evidence against the villain • Lower class • Dressed in smart clothes, tux and what not • Respectful and precise gestures and speech

7. The Maid Servant • Lively • Flirts with the faithful servant • Lower class • Dressed in maid outfit • Quiet and respectful speech and gestures

8. Bibliography • Some books in Mrs Stone’s bookcase • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melodrama#Victorian_stage_melodrama • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stock_character • Google images