CRAFTING THE FICTIONAL SOUL
The Four Temperaments of Rudolf Steiner in Character Development
In fiction writing, characters are the soul of the story. They are the vessels through which narratives unfold, emotions are evoked, and connections are made with readers. As writers, we strive to create characters that are as complex and multifaceted as real people. This is where Rudolf Steiner’s concept of the Four Temperaments can become invaluable in our character-building toolkit.
An Austrian philosopher and social reformer, Steiner posited that humans comprise four distinct temperaments: choleric, sanguine, melancholic, and phlegmatic. Each temperament represents various behavioral and emotional traits that can serve as a foundation for developing rich, nuanced characters.
THE CHOLERIC - FIRE OF PASSION
Choleric characters are the embodiment of passion and determination. Think of a character with a fierce will, a leader who thrives on challenge and is unafraid to make tough decisions. These are your born leaders, warriors who blaze trails and refuse to back down. However, this intensity can also manifest as a quick temper and a tendency to be domineering. Writers can use the choleric temperament to craft characters that drive the plot forward with their dynamic energy but must learn to temper their fire with humility.
THE SANGUINE - FLUTTER OF CURIOSITY
Characters infused with the sanguine temperament are the life of the party. They are friendly, charismatic, and full of enthusiasm. These adventurers, charmers, and characters can talk in or out of anything. Their curiosity and playfulness can light up the page. Yet, they can also be flighty, easily distracted, or superficial. Sanguine characters can bring lightness and humor to your narrative but must also confront the depth of their connections and the reality of their commitments.
THE MELANCHOLIC - DEPTH OF CONTEMPLATION
Melancholic characters are the thinkers, the poets, the souls who feel deeply and think profoundly. They are often reflective, sensitive, and artistically inclined. Their rich inner world can be a treasure trove for writers, allowing for deep explorations of philosophy, art, and emotion. However, their introspection can spiral into brooding, pessimism, or indecision. In a story, melancholic characters can provide a profound sense of humanity and vulnerability, but they must also face the challenge of overcoming their inner darkness.
THE PHLEGMATIC - RIVER OF CALM
Steady, reliable, phlegmatic characters are the bedrock of your fictional world. They are calm, collected, and content with their lot in life. These characters are often the peacemakers who provide stability and support. Their resilience and loyalty can be a powerful force in a narrative. However, their calm can slip into lethargy, their stability into stubbornness. When writing a phlegmatic character, the challenge lies in rousing them to action and ensuring their tranquility doesn't lead to stagnation.
Using Steiner’s Four Temperaments as a starting point, writers can build characters with inherent contradictions and conflicts—essential ingredients for dynamic storytelling. These temperamental archetypes offer a springboard for character creation, providing initial scaffolding that can be fleshed out and nuanced as the character interacts with the plot, setting, and other characters.
In your next writing project, consider starting with the Four Temperaments. Sketch out your characters based on these fundamental emotional and behavioral patterns, and then let them grow and surprise you as they come to life on the page. As they develop, they will move beyond these archetypes, becoming as unique and unpredictable as real people—and that’s when the magic of storytelling truly begins.
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Great article. A nice simple way to think about character creation.