Character Trait: Greedy

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. Greedy is a character trait that describes a person's intense desire to accumulate wealth or possessions beyond what is necessary or reasonable. A greedy person is often selfish and lacks consideration for others, prioritizing their own needs and wants above all else. They may be willing to manipulate or exploit others to achieve their goals, and may struggle to be satisfied with what they have. Greed can be a negative trait that can lead to destructive behavior, but it can also be used to create complex and interesting characters in literature.

Possible causes of being greedy

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

• Lack of empathy towards others or a belief in a zero-sum game where one's gain is another's loss.
• Cultural or societal beliefs that prioritize wealth and material possessions.
• Learned behavior from family or peers who exhibit greedy tendencies.
• Biological factors such as a genetic predisposition towards hoarding or a reward-seeking behavior.
• Traumatic experiences in childhood related to poverty or lack of resources.
• Exposure to greed as a positive trait in media or role models.
• Personal insecurities or low self-esteem leading to an obsession with accumulating wealth or possessions.

Behaviors associated with being greedy

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

• Manipulating situations or people to get what one wants
• Hoarding resources or possessions
• Prioritizing money or material possessions over relationships or morals
• Constantly wanting more, never feeling satisfied
• Taking advantage of others for personal gain
• Refusing to share or compromise

Attitudes associated with being greedy

You may be able to show greedy through their attitudes.

• Selfishness
• Hoarding mentality
• Willingness to exploit others
• Lack of satisfaction
• Sense of entitlement
• Desire for power
• Lack of empathy
• Materialism
• Envy
• Fear of loss

Thoughts and struggles associated with being greedy

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

• Constantly desires more material possessions, wealth, and power.
• Feels a sense of entitlement to what they want and believes that they deserve it.
• May be willing to take unethical or immoral actions to achieve their goals.
• May experience guilt or shame over their behavior but still struggle to change it.
• May struggle with feelings of jealousy or envy towards those who have more than them.
• May prioritize their own gain over the well-being or needs of others.
• May have a fear of losing what they have accumulated and be unwilling to take risks or make sacrifices.
• May struggle with relationships as they prioritize their own needs above others.
• May hoard resources or refuse to share with others.

Emotions associated with being greedy

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

• A need to accumulate more than one needs or can use
• Jealousy of others who have more
• Fear of losing what one has acquired
• Selfishness and a lack of concern for others
• A strong desire for wealth or material possessions
• Discontentment with what one has and a constant desire for more

Facial expressions associated with being greedy

Here are some facial expressions your greedy character may exhibit.

• Narrowed eyes
• A tense jaw
• Raised eyebrows
• Avaricious grin
• A frown of disappointment or anger when denied what is wanted
• A sidelong glance
• A sneer
• Tightened lips

Body language associated with being greedy

Here is some body language your greedy character may exhibit.

• Refusing to share or help others
• Leaning forward or reaching out to grab things
• Constantly looking around for opportunities to acquire more
• Clenched fists or tight grip on objects
• Avoiding eye contact or being shifty-eyed when discussing money or possessions
• Interrupting others or talking over them to get what they want
• Hoarding or guarding possessions
• Eating or drinking quickly or excessively

Behaviors associated with being greedy

Here are some behaviors your greedy character may exhibit.

• Prioritizing money or material possessions over relationships or morals
• Refusing to share or compromise
• Constantly wanting more, never feeling satisfied
• Hoarding resources or possessions
• Manipulating situations or people to get what one wants
• Taking advantage of others for personal gain

Growth and evolution of greedy characters

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

• Understanding the value of relationships and how they are more important than wealth
• Accepting the consequences of their actions and making amends with those they have wronged
• Recognizing the consequences of their greed and how it affects others around them
• Learning to empathize with others and understand their perspectives
• Experiencing a moment of self-reflection and realizing the emptiness of constantly seeking more material possessions
• Developing a sense of generosity and kindness towards others
• Letting go of their selfish desires and prioritizing the needs of others

Stereotypes of greedy characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical greedy character like these examples.

• Avoid making the greedy character's greed the sole motivation for their actions.
• Avoid portraying the greedy character as completely heartless or lacking any redeeming qualities.
• Avoid making the greedy character's greed the only source of conflict in the story.
• Avoid making the greedy character one-dimensional or solely defined by their greed.
• Avoid portraying the greedy character as a caricature or cartoonish figure.
• Avoid making the greedy character too predictable or clichéd.

Negatives of being greedy

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

• Greed can cause unethical behavior, such as stealing or lying, to obtain what one wants.
• It can damage relationships, as others may feel used or taken advantage of.
• Greed can fuel a desire for power and control, leading to manipulative behavior.
• It can create a sense of dissatisfaction and insatiable longing, as one always wants more.
• Greed can lead to an obsession with material possessions and wealth.
• It can cause a lack of empathy and concern for others, as one's own desires become the top priority.

Positives of being greedy

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

• Focus: A desire for more can drive individuals to focus on their goals and prioritize their time and resources more effectively.
• Innovation: Greedy individuals may be more likely to think outside of the box and come up with innovative solutions to problems.
• Ambition: Greed can fuel a desire for success and motivate individuals to work harder to achieve their goals.
• Confidence: Greed can give individuals the confidence to take risks and pursue opportunities that others may shy away from.
• Resourcefulness: Greedy people often have a talent for finding creative ways to get what they want, which can be useful in problem-solving situations.
• Determination: Greed can give individuals the determination and persistence needed to overcome obstacles and achieve success.

Verbal expressions of greedy characters

Here are some potential expressions used by greedy characters.

• "I won't share."
• "More, more, more."
• "Mine, mine, mine."
• "I'll take everything I can get."
• "I won't give up what's mine."
• "I deserve this."
• "I want it all."
• "I won't settle for less."
• "I need this for myself."

Relationships of greedy characters

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

• They may struggle with feelings of jealousy and resentment toward others who they perceive as having more than they do.
• They may be manipulative and seek to control others in order to benefit themselves.
• Greedy people may prioritize their own interests over the needs of others, leading to a lack of empathy and understanding in relationships.
• Greedy people may have difficulty maintaining long-term relationships, as their self-centered behavior can drive others away.
• Greedy people may struggle with trust issues, as they may be suspicious of others' motives and may fear being taken advantage of.

Examples from books of characters who are greedy

• Gollum from "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Smaug from "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Lady Catherine de Bourgh from "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
• The White Witch from "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis
• Count Dracula from "Dracula" by Bram Stoker
• Mr. Dursley from "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" by J.K. Rowling
• Ebenezer Scrooge from "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens
• Fagin from "Oliver Twist" by Charles Dickens
• Uriah Heep from "David Copperfield" by Charles Dickens

Writing exercises for writing greedy characters

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

• Write a dialogue between your character and someone they're trying to manipulate or take advantage of.
• Create a backstory for your character that explains why they developed their greed. Did they grow up in poverty? Did they experience a traumatic event that made them fear scarcity?
• Create a scene where your character is offered a choice between two options: one that benefits them personally, and one that benefits others. How do they react?
• Write a scene where your character hoards something valuable, such as money or food.
• Write a scene where your character's greed backfires and causes them to lose something important to them.
• Write a scene where your character refuses to share resources with someone in need, even if it means putting that person's life at risk.
• Create a list of the things your character desires most in life, and think about how their greed affects their pursuit of those desires.
• Write a scene where your character's greed causes them to betray someone they care about.