The Classic Western protagonist archetype.

In a classic western the protagonist is an embodiment of the Frontier – he is strong-willed, individualistic with a temper that can’t be tamed, keen to defend himself and his interests in a fair fight and with a real big hate for any attempts to restrict his personal freedom.

Classic Western protagonist – strong-willed, individualistic with a temper that can’t be tamed, keen to defend himself and his interests in a fair fight…

Personal Code

 This kind of protagonist is not society-oriented, he has his own code to follow and usually claims to “mind his business” unless crossed. That comes from the individualism and respect for other people freedom ( “minding one’s business” has it’s limits though – as the protagonist code of honor usually (if not always) gets him involved in defending women ( never against their will ‘though) or fighting those who “shoot in the back” (fight unfairly).

“Lonely are the Brave” – fair fight against one armed man – “I’ll fight with one arm behind my back”

Loner

Quite often the protagonist is a drifter as his desire for freedom forces him to be constantly on the move. More rarely – a town marshal/sheriff.

Usually they don’t have a family as their way of life contradicts the very idea of settling down. And often the absence of a family is a big hole inside of them – with a friend/relative shown as a settled down person for the contrast. Sometimes with the wife of the friend/relative being a long-lost love interest of the protagonist ( “the Searchers”, “Lonely are the Brave”).

Or in the course of action their friend settles down, while the protagonist continues his ride.

In more rare cases, the protagonist abandons his way of life – Wyatt Earp in “the Gunfight at the OK Corral” to settle down – though that’s a case of two protagonists in the movie with the second one – Doc – being the one who “continuous his ride”.

In “the Angel and the Badman” John Wayne’s character sacrifices his way of life to stay with the girl he loves.

Destined to be destroyed

Not always, but quite often the protagonists are destined to be destroyed in the Classic Western, even ‘though they don’t get killed by the end of the movie – there is a certain sense that as the Old West itself, they will seize to exist, either by changing their ways or by getting killed (outside of the scope of the movie). That adds particular sad tones to the generally upbeat tone of the western films.