What makes a character human in a literary or storytelling context is not necessarily their physical attributes but rather their depth and complexity as a representation of human qualities, emotions, and experiences. A character can be human regardless of whether they are portrayed as an actual human being, an anthropomorphic animal, an alien, a robot, or any other form.
Here are some key elements that contribute to making a character human-like in storytelling:
Emotions and Feelings: A human-like character experiences a range of emotions such as love, joy, anger, fear, sadness, and more. Their emotional journey helps readers or viewers connect with them on a deeper level.
Motivations and Goals: A character is humanized when they have clear motivations and goals that drive their actions and decisions. This reflects the human tendency to pursue desires and aspirations.
Flaws and Vulnerabilities: Human characters are imperfect; they have flaws and vulnerabilities that make them relatable and realistic. These imperfections add depth to their personality.
Growth and Development: Characters become more human-like when they undergo personal growth and development throughout the story. Just like real people, they learn from their experiences and change over time.
Relationships and Connections: Meaningful relationships with other characters in the story can make a character more human. The way they interact and form bonds reflects human social dynamics.
Internal Conflict: A character struggling with internal conflicts, moral dilemmas, or ethical decisions can highlight their humanity. This complexity showcases the internal struggles many people face.
Backstory and History: Providing a character with a well-crafted backstory and history can give them depth and make them more human-like. Past experiences shape who they are in the present.
Self-Awareness: Characters who demonstrate self-awareness and introspection show human-like traits. This can involve reflecting on their actions or contemplating their place in the world.
Empathy and Compassion: Characters who display empathy and compassion toward others or even themselves exhibit human-like qualities that resonate with audiences.
Authentic Dialogue and Reactions: Realistic dialogue and reactions to various situations contribute to a character's humanity. It helps readers or viewers believe in the character's existence.
In summary, what makes a character human is their ability to evoke emotions, relate to human experiences, and demonstrate qualities and traits that resonate with real people. The more a character embodies these human-like aspects, the more engaging and memorable they are to the audience.