You have designed a truly epic character. You labored over each attribute and skill to bring it to mechanical perfection. But when it comes to a backstory, your mind is a blank parchment. You’ve already used the typical “my village was destroyed when I was a child” trope a few times and don’t want to resort to the “lonewolf with a desire for revenge” who is out to “hear the lamentation of their women.”

To help you develop a rich and compelling back story for your awesome character, here are seven back story ideas drawn from the plots of the master storyteller, William Shakespeare.

1. King Lear

Story Summary

King Lear is the story of a dying king and his three daughters, one noble and two corrupt. While determining how to divide his kingdom, he foolishly chases away the noble daughter leaving the two corrupt daughters to wreak havoc and ultimately, destroy the family.

Backstory Idea

The heir of a wealthy and powerful lord, you refused to participate in the political shenanigans and mind games put forward by your aging father. Though speaking truthfully and plainly, you were spurned, disowned, and finally banished from your family’s dominion. Traveling to distant regions, you eventually found a new identity (and maybe love) among a strange people. However, trouble is brewing back home and you can’t shake the feeling that you must return and set things right, no matter the cost.

2. Macbeth

Story Summary

Macbeth was a Scottish general who, after hearing a prophecy that he would be King of Scotland, took matters into his own hands and secretly murdered the king. Macbeth is plagued by guilt but continues to ruthlessly dispatch enemies who could expose his heinous deeds.

Backstory Idea

You have a position of wealth and power and are revered by many despite lingering rumors. However, you never rest easy and your conscience weighs on you heavily from a heinous act in your past. You peer cautiously around every corner because there are many who would love nothing more than to see you fall from your high position.

3. Hamlet

Story Summary

The ghost of the recently murdered King Hamlet appears to his son, Prince Hamlet on the rampart of his castle in Denmark. The king charges the prince with avenging his wrongful death at the hands of his brother Claudius. After murdering the king, Claudius had taken the throne and married Gertrude, the king’s widow and the prince’s mother. Hesitant and stricken with grief, Prince Hamlet spirals into melancholy and madness as he plots his revenge on his uncle.

Backstory Idea

Your beloved father died when you were still an adolescent. You have always thought the circumstances surrounding his death were suspicious. Thankfully your family was always there to reassure you. However, a restless spirit has brought you information recently that one of your family members may be responsible for your father’s murder. Your anger, fear, and guilt are growing as you seek justice for your father.

4. Romeo & Juliet

Story Summary

Romeo and Juliet are two star-crossed lovers from feuding families. They marry secretly and plot to flee their troubles to a new city after Romeo inadvertently kills a rival during a duel. To make good her escape from her family, Juliet fakes her death with a sleeping potion. However, Romeo discovers her seemingly dead body and, in his grief, poisons himself. Upon waking, Juliet follows suit. The tragic death of their children ultimately leads to a truce of between ending the feud between the two families.

Backstory Idea

You come from a divided land that could erupt into war at any time. You are wanted by the law for taking the life of one of your rivals. As you attempted to flee with your new wife, the love of your life from the rival family she went unconscious and you were forced to leave without her. You think she is dead but you have a lingering suspicion that all is not as it seems.

5. The Tempest

Story Summary

Shipwrecked on a magical island, a party of nobles are drawn into a plot by Prospero, a scheming sorcerer. Prospero seeks a husband for his daughter Miranda and to be restored to his former position as duke. He manipulates the magical inhabitants of the island to do his bidding and lead the party of nobles into his scheme.

Backstory Idea

You were a person of great stature before your countrymen conspired to have you demoted and exiled. Now you are torn between seeking revenge and doing what is best for your loved ones, your spouse or your child.

6. Othello

Story Summary

Iago is a conniving servant of Othello, a general in the army. Othello has been married to Desdemona, who was desired by two other military officers. Iago agrees to help break apart the marriage by lies and manipulation with the ultimate goal of ruining Othello. After Iago convinces him of his wife’s infidelity, Othello smothers her. Upon entering the room, Iago’s wife exposes her husband’s treachery and Othello takes his own life.

Backstory Idea

Deceived by a trusted advisor, you wrongly took revenge on someone very important to you in your past. You are not certain whether they still live or not but you are crippled with guilt. Everyone you used to know thinks you are dead and you would like to keep it that way. Now you are trying to run as far away from your past as possible.

7. Midsummer Night’s Dream

Story Summary

Theseus, the duke of Athens is nearing his wedding when he is asked to mediate a dispute between a father and his daughter about who she will marry. The daughter, Hermia, and her lover, Lysander, decide to elope and escape to the woods. The father’s chosen suitor, Demetrius, follows them into the woods. The mysterious woods are populated by a theatrical troupe as well as a kingdom of fairies. Puck, the fun-loving servant of the fairy king, is charged with settling a dispute between he and the queen. He harvests a love potion from a magical flower but accidentally enchants various characters before eventually setting things right.

Backstory Idea

You have been enchanted (or cursed) by a love potion. Unfortunately, the object of your uncontrollable affections changes quite frequently. You originally acquired the potion in an attempt to woo your true love. Now your life’s quest is to remember the identity of your true love and pursue their affections honestly.

Conclusion

I hope this gets your creative juices flowing for creating a compelling backstory to complement your character build. Which of these plots do you think is the most intriguing? How can you incorporate some of these ideas into your current character’s backstory? Leave a comment below.