Character Trait: Cowardly

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait cowardly refers to a person who is easily frightened and lacks the courage to face danger, pain, or difficulty. A cowardly character may avoid confronting their fears or may act in a self-serving manner to protect themselves from perceived threats. This trait can be depicted in a variety of ways, from physical trembling or running away from a situation to more subtle behaviors like avoiding conflict or telling lies to protect oneself.

Possible causes of being cowardly

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

• Cultural or societal pressures to conform or avoid risk-taking
• Genetic predisposition to anxiety or phobias
• Overprotective or overbearing parents
• Lack of exposure to challenging situations or unfamiliar environments
• Fear of failure or rejection
• Low self-esteem and lack of confidence
• Negative reinforcement or punishment for taking risks or standing up for oneself
• Past traumatic experiences or abuse that caused fear and anxiety

For detailed feedback on cowardly characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's manuscript critique service.

Behaviors associated with being cowardly

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

• Betraying others to save oneself
• Being overly cautious or hesitant
• Blaming others or making excuses to avoid responsibility
• Refusing to take risks or try new things
• Avoiding confrontation or difficult situations
• Seeking constant reassurance or approval from others
• Fleeing from danger or conflict
• Lying or manipulating to protect oneself

Attitudes associated with being cowardly

You may be able to show cowardly through their attitudes.

• Indecisive
• Anxious
• Insecure
• Passive
• Avoidant
• Self-doubting
• Fearful
• Timid
• Unassertive
• Apprehensive
• Nervous

Thoughts and struggles associated with being cowardly

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

• They may have a fear of failure or making mistakes.
• They may struggle with feelings of inadequacy or insecurity.
• They may be overly concerned with what others think of them.
• They may avoid taking risks or trying new things.
• A cowardly character may often hesitate or freeze in the face of danger or conflict.
• They may feel guilty or ashamed of their cowardice.
• They may have a difficult time standing up for themselves or others.
• They may envy others who are brave or courageous.
• They may have a tendency to run away or hide from their problems.

Emotions associated with being cowardly

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

• Fear
• Dread
• Timidity
• Panic
• Apprehension
• Nervousness
• Insecurity
• Hesitation
• Anxiety

Facial expressions associated with being cowardly

Here are some facial expressions your cowardly character may exhibit.

• Stammering or stuttering
• Averting eye contact
• Twitching or fidgeting
• Clenching or biting lips
• Trembling or shaking
• Covering or shielding face
• Sweating profusely
• Looking down or cowering
• Hunching shoulders or curling up

Body language associated with being cowardly

Here is some body language your cowardly character may exhibit.

• Apologizing excessively or making excuses
• Covering or protecting vulnerable body parts
• Fidgeting or playing with objects nervously
• Hesitating or backing away from challenges or confrontations
• Shrinking or cowering posture
• Sweating profusely
• Trembling or shaking
• Speaking in a soft or hesitant voice
• Avoiding eye contact or staring at the ground

For detailed feedback on cowardly characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's manuscript critique service.

Behaviors associated with being cowardly

Here are some behaviors your cowardly character may exhibit.

• Lying or manipulating to protect oneself
• Blaming others or making excuses to avoid responsibility
• Avoiding confrontation or difficult situations
• Fleeing from danger or conflict
• Being overly cautious or hesitant
• Betraying others to save oneself
• Seeking constant reassurance or approval from others
• Refusing to take risks or try new things

Growth and evolution of cowardly characters

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

• Discovering their own values and beliefs, and standing up for them
• Learning to communicate their fears and vulnerabilities with others, and seeking support when needed
• Developing a sense of bravery and courage, even in the face of adversity
• Becoming more empathetic towards others who may also struggle with fear or anxiety
• Overcoming their fear and facing their challenges, even if it's uncomfortable or scary
• Finding inner strength and resilience through difficult situations
• Learning to trust themselves and their instincts

Stereotypes of cowardly characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical cowardly character like these examples.

• Being dishonest or deceitful to avoid confrontation or danger
• Being overly concerned with their own safety at the expense of others
• Being selfish or self-centered
• Being overly emotional or hysterical
• Being easily intimidated or bullied by others
• Being indecisive or wishy-washy
• Being overly reliant on others for support or protection
• Being unable to stand up for themselves or their beliefs
• Being physically weak or frail

Negatives of being cowardly

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

• Being indecisive and hesitant to make important decisions
• Giving in to peer pressure or authority figures
• Struggling to stand up for oneself or others in the face of adversity
• Being perceived as weak or unreliable by others
• Lacking confidence in oneself and one's abilities
• Avoiding challenges and difficult situations
• Missing out on opportunities due to fear and anxiety

Positives of being cowardly

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

• Being humble and acknowledging one's limitations
• Being able to recognize and assess risks before making decisions
• Having a strong sense of self-preservation
• Being cautious and thoughtful before taking action
• Being empathetic and understanding of others' fears and concerns
• Avoiding dangerous situations that could harm oneself or others

Verbal expressions of cowardly characters

Here are some potential expressions used by cowardly characters.

• "I'm not brave enough"
• "I'll let someone else deal with it"
• "I don't know if it's safe"
• "I'm not sure if I can do it"
• "I'm scared"
• "I don't want to take any risks"
• "I can't handle it"
• "I don't want to face the consequences"
• "I don't want to get involved"

Relationships of cowardly characters

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

• Cowardly individuals may be prone to people-pleasing behavior in an effort to avoid conflict, which can result in a lack of authenticity in their interactions with others.
• Cowardly individuals may be prone to apologizing excessively or taking blame for things that are not their fault, which can lead to resentment from others.
• They may rely on others to make decisions for them or avoid making decisions altogether, leading to a lack of agency in their relationships.
• Cowardly people often avoid confrontations and may struggle with assertiveness, leading to difficulty expressing their needs and boundaries.
• They may struggle with trust, both in themselves and in others, leading to difficulty forming and maintaining close relationships.

Examples from books of characters who are cowardly

• Uriah Heep from "David Copperfield" by Charles Dickens
• Lion from "The Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum
• Sir John Falstaff from the plays of William Shakespeare
• Wormtail from the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Bob Ewell from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee

It's worth noting that cowardice can take many forms in literature, from physical cowardice to moral cowardice, and can be explored in a variety of ways.

Writing exercises for writing cowardly characters

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

• Write a scene where your character is faced with a difficult situation and they choose to run away or avoid it altogether.
• Write a scene where your character must face the consequences of their cowardice, such as losing a relationship or failing at a task.
• Imagine your character in a situation where they are forced to confront their fears. Write about how they react and what emotions they experience.
• Create a backstory for your character that explains why they are afraid or have a tendency to avoid conflict.
• Create a list of physical and emotional reactions your character may experience when feeling afraid or cowardly. Use this list to help bring depth to their characterization in future scenes.
• Write a scene where your character is pushed to their limits and must find the courage to overcome their fear.
• Write a scene where your character is afraid to take a risk or try something new. Explore their inner thoughts and motivations for their fear.