Flynn Ryder from Tangled is the Outlaw who loves being an Outlaw. She defied stereotypes (due to her pink aesthetic and bubbly personality) proving that anyone can be a kickass lawyer and do it her own way. She might not wear the leather jacket, but that was entirely the point. Elle Woods from Legally Blonde is also an Outlaw. She defied literally everyone and everything, overthrowing an oppressive regime to the betterment of all. Katniss Everdeen, the renegade hero of The Hunger Games, is a classic outlaw. Outlaws abound in popular culture and here are just a few examples to inspire your own writing. Outlaw Jester, anyone? Maybe not.Įxamples Of The Outlaw Archetypes in Popular Culture Consider softening their edges by combining them with other archetypes in surprising ways. Outlaws tend to operate in extremes, falling either on the good or bad side of the rules. (And we all know what happens to politicians who mean well when they embark on their careers, don’t we?) This aligns with the reformer who works in similar ways but through quieter means, such as acting as the whistleblower or advocating through traditional channels, like running for political office. This is the sort of character who channels civil unrest, protests, and public acts of defiance to attract notice of the establishment and inspire those around them. Your Outlaw archetype could also include the activist. In addition, your character can also embody the characteristics of the maverick, whose independence, fearlessness, and sometimes aggression, can bring about radical change. No stakes are too high for this character, and they’ll bet everything for the chance to win it all. The rebel also closely aligns with a gambler sub-type, who is all about risk and reward. How you choose to define these, though, is entirely up to you. Radicals, on the other hand, can succumb to anger and negativity derived from their sense of dissatisfaction. Rebels usually follow a positive character arc.
Their tactics can result in revolutions and reawakenings of the society and world they live in. They might play the role of the rebel who pushes against convention and oppression to bring about social change. There are several ways you can use the Outlaw archetype to drive your story. It’s not uncommon for an upstanding Outlaw to decline into moral dubiousness along the way to achieving their goals. They take a dogmatic approach and use morally questionable methods of incursion. If they benefit in the exchange too, all the better.Ĭonversely, in negative arcs, they act as radicals or criminals where their desires take precedence. Mostly, they act out of a desire to serve those around them. With a positive arc, they serve as activists, revolutionaries, or visionaries who seek to battle oppressive forces. Outlaws can follow positive character arcs or negative ones. In a word, the Outlaw is there to disrupt the natural order of the world. If you want to learn more about the other archetypes, visit our comprehensive list here. Some examples of where you’ll find them in popular culture.Just tell me you haven’t fallen for the dark, brooding Outlaw who doesn’t take anyone’s crap and I’ll call you a liar. Therefore, they’re often a favorite in storytelling. The Outlaw exists in opposition to the Ruler, who seeks to build, rather than dismantle, order. Think Robin Hood, Captain Jack Sparrow, or Ferris Bueller-these famous outlaws refused to be hemmed in by anyone’s expectations. They seek to bring down order, defy authority, and live by their own principles. With their devil-may-care attitude, they are the motorcycle-riding, leather-jacket-wearing, punk-rock-playing misfits we all love.
The Outlaw might be one of the most beloved character archetypes. Learn more about archetypes in our first article. This is the ninth article in our fifteen-part masterclass on archetypes.
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