PASSIONATE DEFINITION:being capable of or expressing deep feeling CATEGORIES:achievement, identity, interactive SIMILAR ATTRIBUTES:earnest, fervent, zealous POSSIBLE CAUSES: Feeling things on a deep emotional level Being in touch with and embracing one’s emotions Being deeply loyal to a person, relationship, ideal, or organization Mood, personality, and impulse control disorders Drug or alcohol use Believing on a moral level that one should stand up for what’s right Having an ingrained sense of responsibility ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS: Expressing a wide range of emotions Becoming easily angered, saddened, or excited Using big, excited gestures Speaking in a loud voice Talking incessantly about the object of one’s passion Working around obstacles to get what one wants Obsessing about the focus of one’s passion Standing up for what one believes Expressing what one feels without thought for propriety or appropriateness Being confrontational Involving oneself in social or political activism Arguing in favor of one’s cause Aligning with like-minded people Intense loyalty Dedicating oneself wholeheartedly to a person or cause Showing support through the giving of money and time Remaining loyal despite opposition Needing to connect with people on a higher level Taking risks Stubbornness and determination Working steadily toward a goal until it has been achieved Expressing oneself in a creative or meaningful way Being goal oriented Courage Emotional sensitivity Having a single-minded focus Researching one’s passion to be as informed as possible Thinking independently; not being swayed by others Exhibiting passion in many areas of one’s life Being self-motivated ASSOCIATED THOUGHTS: What can I do to make this right? I can’t believe this is happening. Why can’t people see how wrong this is? With enough support, we can do something about this. I hate John so much for what he did to Elise. He’s going to be sorry. ASSOCIATED EMOTIONS:adoration, determination, eagerness, excitement, frustration, hatred, impatience, love, sadness POSITIVE ASPECTS:Passionate characters have a highly developed sense of right and wrong. They make decisions based on these values, to which they have unswerving loyalty. Once they’ve settled on a course of action in regards to their passions, they will stick to it despite obstacles. When opposition does occur, these characters face it head-on and work to figure out ways to continue moving forward. Passion is contagious, energizing others and encouraging them to get on the bandwagon and become excited, too. NEGATIVE ASPECTS:Passionate characters are very focused, to the point where they may ignore or minimize other people and ideas. Their dedication to their ideal may make it difficult for them to tolerate others with opposing opinions. Passionate characters feel things deeply, which can make them oversensitive and easily offended. They tend to be demonstrative with their feelings, making others uncomfortable. Because they do act on their emotions, their mood swings may be wide and unpredictable. EXAMPLE FROM LITERATURE:A fitting example of passion in action is the hero of the world’s most famous love story. At his first glimpse of Juliet, Romeo falls head over heels for her. The odds, and most of their family and society, are against the two of them making a match, but because Romeo believes they belong together, he risks everything to gain Juliet’s love.Other Examples from Film:Remy (Ratatouille), John Keating (Dead Poets Society), JoAnne Galloway (A Few Good Men) TRAITS IN SUPPORTING CHARACTERS THAT MAY CAUSE CONFLICT:cowardly, easygoing, inhibited, nervous, thrifty, withdrawn CHALLENGING SCENARIOS FOR THE PASSIONATE CHARACTER: PLOTLINE: Living in a culture where it is considered unseemly or unacceptable to express one’s feelings PLOTLINE: Being faced with having to choose one passion over another PLOTLINE: Being passionate about someone or something that puts one at odds with family or society PLOTLINE: Becoming passionate about someone who cannot return the feeling PLOTLINE: Wanting to avenge oneself but being morally conflicted about doing so