Christ figure

Literary messianic archetype

A Christ figure is a character in literature, film, or other narrative whose story parallels that of Jesus Christ—typically through self-sacrifice, redemption of others, suffering for a greater cause, or resurrection imagery.

The character need not be religious: Aslan in the Narnia books is an obvious Christ figure, Some readers interpret McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest as a Christ figure.

The term is common in literary analysis.

Opposites
moral-spiritual archetype

Christ figuredevil figure

Representation of ultimate evil

villain · destroyer · corruptor · betrayer · fallen angel

narrative function

Christ figurevillain

Wicked story antagonist

antagonist · big bad · nemesis · monster · dark lord

theological symbolism

Christ figureAntichrist

Prophesied opponent of Christ

Satan · Lucifer · the Beast

Family

Christ, figure, Christlike, Christian, Christianity, Christendom, christen, christening, unchristian

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