flat characters

[/flæt ˈkærəktərz/]
nounpl: flat characters
personagens planos
1. Characters in literature or film who lack depth, complexity, and development; they remain static throughout the narrative and are often defined by a single trait or quality
The villain in the movie was a flat character with no backstory or motivation.
O vilão do filme era um personagem plano, sem história de fundo ou motivação.
2. One-dimensional characters that do not undergo significant psychological or emotional change
Many supporting roles in soap operas are flat characters that serve primarily as plot devices.
Muitos papéis secundários em telenovelas são personagens planos que servem principalmente como artifícios de trama.
This term is primarily used in literary criticism, film studies, and creative writing education in both Brazil and the United States. In Brazilian schools and universities, the concept of 'personagens planos' versus 'personagens redondos' (round characters) is fundamental to literary analysis. American writers and critics frequently use this terminology to distinguish between well-developed protagonists and secondary characters that lack psychological complexity.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
stock charactersone-dimensional characterscardboard characterssimple characters
Antonyms / Antônimos
round characterscomplex charactersthree-dimensional charactersdynamic characters

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
personagens planos
Standard term used in literary criticism and education
Portugal
personagens planas
Same meaning with Portuguese feminine agreement
São Paulo
personagens planos
Standard usage in academic and media contexts
USA Academic
flat characters
Common term in literary analysis and creative writing courses

Related Words

characterizationcharacter developmentprotagonistantagonistarchetype

Related Idioms & Phrases

a character with no depth
one-note character
cardboard cutout character
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