Character Trait: Bawdy

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "bawdy" refers to a person who has a humorous or irreverent approach to sex and bodily functions. A character with a bawdy personality is often quick-witted, unafraid to speak their mind, and not easily embarrassed by taboo subjects. They tend to use humor to lighten the mood and may make sexual innuendos or crude jokes. This trait can add depth and complexity to a character and make them more relatable to readers who appreciate a bit of humor and levity in their storytelling.

Possible causes of being bawdy

You might want to weave these into your character's back story to build a more believable character.

• A desire to stand out or be noticed in social situations
• Growing up in an environment where bawdy humor was accepted or even encouraged
• A tendency to use humor as a coping mechanism for difficult situations or emotions
• A way to express or explore their own sexuality or sexual identity
• A rebellious streak or desire to go against societal norms

For detailed feedback on bawdy characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's fictional story assessment.

Behaviors associated with being bawdy

You may be able to show your character's trait of bawdy by using these.

• Drinking excessively
• Using vulgar language
• Being playful and mischievous
• Expressing oneself in a raw, primal way
• Being irreverent towards authority and social norms
• Flirting shamelessly
• Engaging in risqué behavior
• Making sexual jokes or comments
• Being unapologetically frank about taboo topics

Attitudes associated with being bawdy

You may be able to show bawdy through their attitudes.

• Openness
• Spontaneity
• Humor
• Wit
• Fearlessness
• Playfulness
• Boldness
• Irreverence
• Self-confidence
• Lightheartedness
• Freedom
• Sensuality
• Rebelliousness
• Uninhibitedness

Thoughts and struggles associated with being bawdy

Here are some ideas for things your bawdy character may think or struggle with.

• Bawdy characters may have a difficult time expressing their emotions and vulnerability, using humor as a defense mechanism to deflect from their true feelings.
• Bawdy characters may also have a tendency to be impulsive and take risks, leading them into trouble or dangerous situations.
• They may struggle with intimacy and forming deep connections with others, as their humor can sometimes create a barrier to truly opening up and being authentic.
• A Bawdy character may struggle with finding the right balance between humor and offensiveness. They may worry about crossing the line and offending others.
• They may have a desire to be the center of attention and use their humor to gain approval and popularity, but also feel insecure about their worthiness and fear rejection.
• They may have a rebellious streak and resist authority or societal norms, often using their humor to challenge the status quo.

Emotions associated with being bawdy

Here are some ideas for emotions your bawdy character may experience.

• Confidence
• Irreverence
• Boldness
• Sexuality
• Playfulness
• Impropriety
• Uninhibitedness
• Indulgence
• Humor

Facial expressions associated with being bawdy

Here are some facial expressions your bawdy character may exhibit.

• Winking
• Smirking
• Biting lower lip
• Blowing a kiss
• Looking someone up and down
• Rolling eyes seductively
• Licking lips
• Grinning mischievously
• Raising eyebrows suggestively
• Sticking out tongue
• Puckering lips
• Making exaggerated kissing noises

Body language associated with being bawdy

Here is some body language your bawdy character may exhibit.

• Using exaggerated facial expressions and gestures
• Touching others frequently or inappropriately
• Crossing and uncrossing legs frequently
• Winking or making eye contact with a suggestive expression
• Standing or sitting with a wide stance
• Making suggestive comments or jokes
• Laughing loudly and often
• Leaning in closely to others while speaking
• Speaking in a loud and boisterous tone

For detailed feedback on bawdy characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's fictional story assessment.

Behaviors associated with being bawdy

Here are some behaviors your bawdy character may exhibit.

• Being playful and mischievous
• Engaging in risqué behavior
• Using vulgar language
• Expressing oneself in a raw, primal way
• Drinking excessively
• Being irreverent towards authority and social norms
• Making sexual jokes or comments
• Flirting shamelessly
• Being unapologetically frank about taboo topics

Growth and evolution of bawdy characters

Here are some ways that your bawdy character may grow and evolve over time.

• Striving to improve their communication skills
• Discovering the power of vulnerability and emotional honesty
• Learning to appreciate humor without crossing boundaries
• Building deeper, more meaningful relationships
• Challenging their assumptions and biases
• Acknowledging the impact of their behavior on others
• Recognizing the value of discretion and tact
• Developing empathy and understanding for others
• Learning to control their impulses and filter their comments

Stereotypes of bawdy characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical bawdy character like these examples.

• Avoid making the character's bawdiness the only defining characteristic; give them depth and complexity.
• Avoid relying on cheap jokes or crass humor that doesn't serve the story or character development.
• Avoid using offensive or derogatory language that could be hurtful to certain groups.
• Avoid making the character one-dimensional or solely focused on sexual humor.

Negatives of being bawdy

Here are some potential negatives of being bawdy. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as positives depending on the context.

• Their language and behavior may not be suitable for all audiences, and can limit the potential readership of a story.
• They may be viewed as insensitive or disrespectful to others, particularly if their bawdy behavior is directed at someone else.
• Bawdy characters may be seen as one-dimensional or lacking depth, if their bawdiness is their defining trait.
• Bawdy characters can come across as crude or vulgar, which can be off-putting to some readers.

Positives of being bawdy

Here are some potential positives of being bawdy. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as negatives depending on the context.

• Bawdy characters are often seen as fun-loving and carefree, which can make them very enjoyable to read or watch.
• They tend to be open-minded and accepting of others, which can make them inclusive and welcoming.
• Bawdy characters can also be seen as confident and self-assured, which can make them attractive and charismatic.
• Bawdy characters can also be seen as honest and straightforward, which can make them trustworthy and reliable.
• Bawdy characters can be very creative and expressive, which can make them interesting and unique.
• They can bring humor to a story and provide much-needed comic relief.
• They often have a strong sense of independence and are not afraid to speak their minds, which can make them powerful and inspiring.

Verbal expressions of bawdy characters

Here are some potential expressions used by bawdy characters.

• Suggestive banter
• Indecent proposals
• Profanity
• Double entendres
• Scatological references
• Sexual innuendos
• Crude jokes
• Obscene gestures
• Raunchy humor
• Off-color remarks
• Salacious teasing
• Ribaldry
• Lewd comments
• Vulgar language

Relationships of bawdy characters

Here are some ways that being bawdy could affect your character's relationships.

• They may have a tendency to speak their mind and be blunt, even if it risks offending others.
• They may be very open and candid with others, sharing personal information that others might keep hidden.
• They may have a strong sense of loyalty and protectiveness towards those they care about.
• They may use humor and wit to deflect serious or uncomfortable situations.
• They may have a reputation for being fun-loving and adventurous, but also unreliable or unpredictable.
• They may struggle with intimacy and vulnerability, using their bawdy behavior as a defense mechanism.
• They may be more comfortable with physical touch and affection than others.
• They may be prone to teasing and playful banter, even in serious situations.
• They may have a tendency to push boundaries and test others' limits.

Examples from books of characters who are bawdy

• Ignatius Gallaher from James Joyce's "Dubliners"
• Holden Caulfield from J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye"
• Moll Flanders from Daniel Defoe's "Moll Flanders"
• Rabelais' characters Pantagruel and Gargantua in "Gargantua and Pantagruel"
• Tyrion Lannister from George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series
• Falstaff from William Shakespeare's "Henry IV" and "The Merry Wives of Windsor"
• Sancho Panza from Miguel de Cervantes' "Don Quixote"
• Huck Finn from Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn"
• Ignatius J. Reilly from John Kennedy Toole's "A Confederacy of Dunces"

Writing exercises for writing bawdy characters

Here are some writing exercises you might try for learning to write bawdy characters.

• Start by thinking about the character's background and experiences that may have led them to develop a bawdy personality. What events or people have influenced their sense of humor and sexual innuendos?
• Practice writing dialogue that incorporates bawdy humor. Think about how the character would use double entendres or make suggestive jokes in different situations.
• Write a scene where the character is in a situation where their bawdy humor is inappropriate or uncomfortable for others. How do they react? Do they adjust their behavior or double down on their jokes?
• Consider how the character's bawdy behavior affects their relationships with other characters. Do people find them funny or offensive? Do they use humor to deflect from more serious issues in their lives?
• Create a list of euphemisms and slang terms related to sex, and experiment with using them in your writing. This can help you find the right tone for your character's bawdy humor.