The Outlaw Archetype—Everything You Need To Know
This is the ninth article in our fifteen-part masterclass on archetypes. Learn more about archetypes in our first article.
The Outlaw might be one of the most beloved character archetypes. With their devil-may-care attitude, they are the motorcycle-riding, leather-jacket-wearing, punk-rock-playing misfits we all love. They seek to bring down order, defy authority, and live by their own principles. Think Robin Hood, Captain Jack Sparrow, or Ferris Bueller—these famous outlaws refused to be hemmed in by anyone’s expectations. The Outlaw exists in opposition to the Ruler, who seeks to build, rather than dismantle, order. Therefore, they’re often a favorite in storytelling.
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. Nicely, of course.
In this article, we’ll talk more about:
- The Outlaw archetype
- How they serve your story
- What the typical characteristics are
- Some examples of where you’ll find them in popular culture
If you want to learn more about the other archetypes, visit our comprehensive list here.
What Is The Outlaw Archetype
In a word, the Outlaw is there to disrupt the natural order of the world. Outlaws can follow positive character arcs or negative ones. With a positive arc, they serve as activists, revolutionaries, or visionaries who seek to battle oppressive forces. Mostly, they act out of a desire to serve those around them. If they benefit in the exchange too, all the better.
Conversely, in negative arcs, they act as radicals or criminals where their desires take precedence. They take a dogmatic approach and use morally questionable methods of incursion. It’s not uncommon for an upstanding Outlaw to decline into moral dubiousness along the way to achieving their goals.
What Do Outlaw Archetypes Do?
There are several ways you can use the Outlaw archetype to drive your story.
They might play the role of the rebel who pushes against convention and oppression to bring about social change. Their tactics can result in revolutions and reawakenings of the society and world they live in. Rebels usually follow a positive character arc.
Radicals, on the other hand, can succumb to anger and negativity derived from their sense of dissatisfaction. How you choose to define these, though, is entirely up to you.
The rebel also closely aligns with a gambler sub-type, who is all about risk and reward. No stakes are too high for this character, and they’ll bet everything for the chance to win it all. In addition, your character can also embody the characteristics of the maverick, whose independence, fearlessness, and sometimes aggression, can bring about radical change.
Your Outlaw archetype could also include the activist. 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. 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. (And we all know what happens to politicians who mean well when they embark on their careers, don’t we?)
Outlaws tend to operate in extremes, falling either on the good or bad side of the rules. Consider softening their edges by combining them with other archetypes in surprising ways. Outlaw Jester, anyone? Maybe not.
What Are Typical Outlaw Archetype Characteristics?
We’ve talked a bit about what the Outlaw represents and how they can serve your story. Here we go a little deeper in the character traits you might find in an outlaw character.
They might feel:
- Alienated
- Disillusioned
- Repressed/oppressed
They’re driven by:
- The desire to seek change
- A need to shake up societal norms
- The desired to seek revenge or retribution
Character traits of Outlaws include:
- Bold
- Candid
- Controversial
- Polarizing
- Fearless
- Arrogant
- Dominant
- Unapologetic
- Idealistic
- Inspiring
An Outlaw’s fears and turn-offs include:
- Narrow mindedness (as often determined by their own moral compass)
- Being silenced
- Authority and rigid structures of power
- Being powerless
Examples Of The Outlaw Archetypes in Popular Culture
Outlaws abound in popular culture and here are just a few examples to inspire your own writing.
Katniss Everdeen, the renegade hero of The Hunger Games, is a classic outlaw. She defied literally everyone and everything, overthrowing an oppressive regime to the betterment of all.
Elle Woods from Legally Blonde is also an Outlaw. Yup, you read that right. She might not wear the leather jacket, but that was entirely the point. 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.
Flynn Ryder from Tangled is the Outlaw who loves being an Outlaw. He relished in the posters (even if they got the nose wrong) and the notoriety of being the bad boy. In true Disney fashion, it got him the girl and we can’t argue with that tactic.
You’ll find more Outlaws in character’s like William Wallace from Braveheart, Merida from Disney’s Brave (don’t think we didn’t notice the similarities in those titles), and the Dark Knight himself, Batman.
The Outlaw is an ever-important character that can endear your readers immediately. There’s something about rooting for the underdog or the rebel that will always be appealing as they either reveal a part of who we are or wish we could be.
When plotting your novel, make use of Dabble’s Story Notes to track all the players in your story including their characteristics, attributes, physical features and quirks. Using these notes combined with the archetypes can help you create well-rounded characters that will draw your readers in.
Click here to try a 14-day free trial of Dabble Premium, no credit card required, and try it out today.
SHARE THIS:
TAKE A BREAK FROM WRITING...
Read. Learn. Create.
Characters are the most important part of any story. They are the beating heart and the blood that flows through your novel’s veins. Yes, your plot and world and story structure are also important, but most people will fall in love with a book because they love the characters.
If you’re planning to become an indie author, one of the first things you might be wondering is: how do you price a self-published book?
Can't get a clear answer on how many scenes should be in a chapter? Here's how to calculate the answer for your book.
There's no easy way to determine how many chapters you should have in your book, but let's figure out how many will work for you.
You’ve cobbled together 100K words of sheer brilliance, but now you must tackle the hardest task. How do you write book titles, anyway?
Looking for great writing exercises for fiction writers? We've got you covered with prompts to inspire story, character, and more.
How much do authors make? It's a question every writer asks at least once. We break it down for you in this blog!
Theses six steps can help show you how to become a fiction writer. Figure out what works best for you!
Want to learn the secret of how to overcome writer's block? You've got to get to the root of the problem. We can help.
Fight scenes are what some readers live for, but writing them can be tough. Let's dissect how to write a fight scene in your novel.
Romance tropes are the heartbeat of what makes romance novels feel like cozy sweaters you want to snuggle into.
Not sure how to describe clothing writing? It's easier (and more fun) than you might think. Here's everything you need to know.
Character motivation is essential in creating characters your readers will care about. Learn about the types of motivation with Dabble!
How to start a first chapter: include action, character, plot, emotion, and motivation or you’re going to lose your reader.
Want to learn how to write exposition that's not so explainy? Divulge compelling backstory using these tried-and-true tips.
English is whack. Let's make something better. Here's how to create a fictional language in four simple steps.
How long should your chapters be? On average, chapters tend to range from 1,000-5,000 words, with most falling in the 2,000-4,000 range.
Need original character questions to inspire your work in progress? Dig deep with these one-of-a-kind character interview questions.
It isn't easy to write a good villain, at least not without the right ingredients. Let Dabble give you the perfect recipe for a villain!
There are a lot of pieces of writing advice you can ignore, but here’s one you shouldn’t: you need to include character goals in your story.
Why does character motivation matter? Find out why a thrilling plot is not enough and how to design motivation that resonates with readers.
Outlining your future bestseller isn't easy! But we break it down for you so you can plan a novel that rocks.
You might be wondering: how long does it take to write a book? The answer depends on a variety of factors.
Here are sixty-five character development questions, plus tips on how and when to interview your characters. Get inspired and get unstuck!
Conflict is what makes books worth reading. Join us as we explore the four types of conflict you can use to make you story memorable!
Do you have a writer in your life who needs a gift? Check out this list of 61 gifts for writers that will help them with their author dreams.
Need character ideas for your next story? Find a ton of original ideas and brainstorming questions right here!
The words you use to start a story are some of the most important you'll write. We'll help make sure you get them right!
A character flaw is a fault, limitation, or weakness that can be internal or external factors that affect your character and their life.
The Seducer/Seductress archetype can help you craft unforgettable villains and surprisingly sympathetic anti-heroes. Learn how.
The Orphan archetype makes for both inspiring heroes and unsettlingly sympathetic villains. Learn how to use this archetype in your story.
Explore the fundamentals of the Outlaw Archetype and how they serve your story. Explore famous examples of Outlaws in popular media.
The Common Person or Everyman is a powerful archetype that can instantly relate to your readers. Learn how to use it in your writing!
The caregiver archetype is more than a saint. Learn how to craft a fascinating, flawed, and deep-souled caregiver for your story.
The Ruler archetype is one of the most recognizable and is about stability and maintaining order through control and power.
The Creator Archetype breathes life into their art, often to an obsessive level. Learn all about using this archetype in your writing!
Get to know the Innocent archetype, from Buddy the Elf to Andy Dwyer. Learn how to write this lovable (and sometimes chaotic) character.
The Sage archetype is an important one in all storytelling—one that can either help or hinder the protagonist's journey in your book.
Explorer Archetypes long for adventure and seek out new places, ideas, and experiences to live a thrilling, exciting, and fulfilling life.
What is the Jester archetype? Find out what you need to know to give your funniest character true purpose and depth.
Lover archetypes embrace the love they hold for friends, family, their gods, or simply the world around them.
The Magician archetype is one of the most popular archetypes in writing. In this blog, we explain everything you need to know about Magicians!
What is the hero archetype? From epic heroes to anti-heroes, here's everything you need to know about crafting a compelling hero.
The seven basic plot points offer perhaps what is the most open-ended of the structure archetypes with broad, high-level descriptions.
Chekhov's Gun is a fundamental principle in writing. Join us as we examine what this principle is so you can apply it to your own writing.
What is three-act structure? Learn why this story structure is so effective and whether it can help you plot your novel.
Save the Cat is one of the most popular ways of drafting screenplays and novels in modern storytelling.
The Hero's Journey is a classic story structure. Learn why it's so popular among writers and how to apply it to your own storytelling.
We call it John Gardner's aquatic monstrosity, the Fichtean Curve is a narrative structure that can help you easily plan out your novel.
We break down Randy Ingermanson's Snowflake Method, a type of outlining that can make writing your book much easier and faster.
A New York City story coach shares her best tips on how to create compelling characters. She walks through each step in the process.
Learn about Dan Harmon's Story Circle—what it is, how it can help you plot your novel, and whether it's right for you.
One of the original story structures, Freytag's Pyramid is the foundation for dramatic stories and tragedies. Learn all about it with Dabble!
Learn how to write a children's book with this ultimate guide and template for designing a story that resonates with young readers.
In this article, we’ll explore what active and passive writing is and when you should use them. Contrary to some beliefs, sometimes passive voice does make sense. Not everything you write should or needs to be active (though it should be most of the time).
Editing your book can be a daunting task. In this article, we breakdown the different types of editing and when you should apply them.
Learn how to write a book synopsis that gets the attention of agents and publishers. It's easier than you think.
3rd-person limited or 1st-person epistolary? Here is what you need to know about narrative point of view and your story.
Story structures are the frameworks that tie your story together. A story structure can help guide your book to be the best it can be!
Bestselling author Kristina Stanley breaks down the three questions you need to ask to self-edit your book's characters, plot, and setting.
Which of the four character arc types is right for your story? And what is a character arc?
To write a romance you need to manage three separate arcs: your main character, your love interest, and the romance itself.
Character archetypes can help you write complex, three-dimensional characters. Learn more about them, including 14 common types, with Dabble.
Learn how to write a book in this ultimate guide. Plus find editing tips, map out a publishing journey, & download a free outlining template.
Unsure of how to start writing? This easy guide and checklist will help you turn your writing dreams into a reality.
Writing with proper punctuation can feel like the hardest part of writing. Don't worry, we've made a Beginner's Guide to Punctuation to help!
Plot is pretty much everything that happens in your story. So let's look at some methods that can help map out your story.
Snag this free, downloadable character development worksheet, designed to help you craft compelling characters and write an unputdownable story.
Finishing your first draft is quite possibly the biggest challenge you'll face as a fiction writer. To be successful, where should you start?
The publishing landscape is always changing, so many writers wonder: should I pay a publisher? Let's take a look at all your publishing options.
Time to learn one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal. Welcome to the Plot Grid.
Author's tone is an abstract, slippery concept. But once you've mastered this skill in your writing, you'll have a powerful tool for captivating readers.
It's time to start writing. Get started by setting goals, and removing some sneaky myths from your mind.
If you’re embarking on a topic that requires a lot of research, you might wonder where you even begin. How do you make use of all those juicy tidbits, and what kind of process should you use to ensure complete and total accuracy?
Writing well requires preparation. Set up your space, gather your tools, and adjust your mindset to crush your writing goals.
You have the knowledge and you have the tools. Time to become the writer you want to be. You got this!
Today we’re going to look at story beats to help craft your romance novel. Beats are specific points of significance that occur in stories that a) help keep the tension up and b) help drive the story forward. They can also be extremely useful in helping you map out your story before you dive into your first draft.
Not sure how to become a successful author—or if it's even possible? Learn exactly what it takes to make it as a writer.
Your writing method will determine a lot about your process. Are you a Plotter or a Pantser?
Have you every wondered whether you can make a living as a writer? It is far from easy, but we break down the way you can achieve your dreams as a career author.
Antagonists are some of the most important types of characters in stories, but also some of the most difficult to write. Let's breakdown what makes a good antagonist.
Prose describes how you write your book, and it can be challenging to get right. So, in this article, we cover what makes good prose.
Characters are the heart of a story. Let's talk about arcs, conflict, and growth.
Theme is subtle, tricky, and will likely be the most effective way to get your audience emotionally engaged. So how do you do it?
First person narrative is when you write using the words “I”, “us”, or “we”. It’s when your story is told through the eyes of one person and we spend time in their head, hearing their thoughts and seeing what they see.
Creating character arcs isn't for the faint of heart. You've got to be ruthless. You've got to be strategic. And it also helps to read this step-by-step guide.
We've got you covered with the best character template ever to help bring your story's characters to life!
Characters come with traits, flaws, problems and much more. Time to dig into those and start giving some depth to them.