Propps Character Functions

Vladimir Propp believed that Russian folklore and fairytales could be dissected and analysed and there characters all given a function, a role to fulfil within that tale. Everything within a Fairy tale has a purpose, if a an enchanted wood is mentioned then it is often one of the obstacles that the hero must overcome, such like Red riding hood and the road through the woods.

The characters functions are as follows:

The Villain – The Antagonist of the story

The donor – Someone who helps the hero with his quest by lending an item

The helper – Could also be considered the donor but also someone that offers advice in some form

The Princess – the prize for the hero at the end of the story

The dispatcher – someone who starts the hero on their quest (red riding hoods mother)

The hero – the protagonist of the story           

The false hero – Someone who believes they are to save the world but become a villain.

If we were to apply this to the legend of Zelda series it would look like this:

The Villain – Ganondorf

The donor – Zelda (she lends link the ocarina)

The helper – Navi the fairy

The Princess – Zelda and Ruto

The dispatcher  - The Deku Tree

The hero - Link           

The false hero – Ganondorf (this is up for debate but as he believes his evil doings are for the greater good)

The OTHER Princess in LoZ

Princess Ruto : http://images.wikia.com/zelda/images/6/61/Princess_Ruto_Artwork.png