They say that history repeats itself, and often times that is true in regards to events. I, however, would go a step further; I say that not only do events repeat themselves but so do the people who feature most prominently among them. Life is a never ending barrage of repetitive story-telling as well as the simplest of stock character archetypes played out time and time again for generation after generation. I make no quarrel as to whether this phenomenon is good or bad, I simply state that it happens and should be seen by all.
When writing a script the most difficult part is to create believable and compelling characters whose audiences actually want to see exist on the stage, and so a theatrical tradition dating from the ancient Greeks, to Shakespeare, to Commedia Dell’arte, all the way to now is the idea of an archetype, or stock character if you will. Rather than create original characters of substance and significance it is easier for artists instead to have a set of characters in your back pocket that can easily be called upon renamed and marketed as something original or new. I assure you there is no such thing.
Much like politicians, the modern screenwriter does not develop new ideas. Instead they steal from what has been successful in the past, given the assumption that it will be popular again. So patterns have emerged in our television sitcoms that have been present for hundreds of years in the theatre. People such as the young lovers (Ted and Robin, Ross and Rachel, Jim and Pam), the flirtatious deviant (Barney Stinson, Joey Tribbiani, Andy Bernard), the mindless mastermind (Lily Aldrin, Ross Geller, Michael Scott) the examples go on and on. Many actors draw inspiration for their characters from other characters well established in existing literature.
Outside of entertainment, however, these archetypes also exist. They rest in the public eye attempting to be noticed but not discovered. Hiding the repetitive nature of their existence from obviousness yet basking in the glow of fame. For example politicians such as Vermin Supreme and Donald Trump taking on the antique role of the zany professor, or starlets such as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie or Prince William and Princess Kate playing their parts as the young lovers. In this way fame can be used to be seen, but human nature eventually takes over.
People want to see the things that make them comfortable and for the last few thousand years that comfort has come from only seeing certain kinds of people and situations placed in the public eye. Psychologically speaking there is comfort in only seeing the things which feel familiar. This is not an indictment of that. It is however an attempt to bring awareness to why certain people and situations feel right, where others do not. In short this is just something to hold in mind as you think about the world today. Do with it what you will.
