Character Meme - Giac

[kgcowbelle]

Body and Appearance
1. Describe the character's height and build. Is he heavyset, thin, short, rangy?
5'8" and a medium build.
2. How old is he?
26.
3. Describe his posture. Does he carry himself well or does he slouch?
Neither, really. Somewhere in the middle of straight posture and slouching.
4. How is his health? Is he fit or out of shape? Any illnesses or conditions? Any physical disabilities?
Well, he does some physical activity, but nothing too frequently so he is neither muscular nor overweight. No illnesses or conditions.
5. How does he move? Is he clumsy, graceful, tense, fluid?
He walks confidently.
6. How attractive is this character physically? How does he perceive himself in the mirror?
He's not overly handsome, but he can be charming when he wants to. He doesn't concern himself with his own image.
7. Describe his complexion. Dark, light, clear, scarred?
When he was younger, he had a lot of acne, but it is now clear. His skin tone is on the dark side which he got from his mother.
8. Describe his hair: color, texture, style.
His hair is black and thick and he keeps it short.
9. What color are his eyes?
Brown, from his mother.
10. Does the character have any other noteworthy features?
No.
11. What are his chief tension centers?
His neck.
12. What is the character's wardrobe like? Casual, dressy, utilitarian? Bright colors, pastels, neutrals? Is it varied, or does he have six of the same suit?
He has a limited wardrobe. He sticks with dark colors, mostly black, and doesn't wear anything stiff, uncomfortable, or too fancy.
13. Do his clothes fit well? Does he seem comfortable in them?
They fit well and comfortably, as they were all tailored for him.
14. Does he dress the same on the job as he does in his free time? If not, what are the differences?
He dresses the same. Always.
15. You knew it was coming: Boxers, briefs or commando?
Hose.


Speech
1. What does this character's voice sound like? High-pitched, deep, hoarse?
Like most everything else about him, it’s neither high-pitched nor deep. In the middle.
2. How does he normally speak? Loud, soft, fast, evenly? Does he talk easily, or does he hesitate?
He speaks easily and confidently, though he doesn't ever speak too much.
3. Does the character have a distinct accent or dialect? Any individual quirks of pronunciation? Any, like, you know, verbal tics?
15th c. Tuscan dialect.
4. What language/s does he speak, and with how much fluency?
He speaks a lot of languages. At home, it’s Italian and sometimes French. In business, it’s Latin. At school he studied Greek and English and he can also get along in German and Spanish.
5. Does he switch languages or dialects in certain situations?
Most definitely!
6. Is he a good impromptu speaker, or does he have to think about his words?
He is an excellent impromptu speaker, a result of his humanist education which included several courses in rhetoric.
7. Is he eloquent or inarticulate? Under what circumstances might this change?
He is usually eloquent, though when he is angry he tries to get his point across without any attention paid to style and can come across as rather blunt.


Mental and Emotional
1. How intelligent is this character? Is he book-smart or street-smart?
Book-smart all the way! He even had a university education, which was rare for people of his time.
2. Does he think on his feet, or does he need time to deliberate?
Mostly on his feet.
3. Describe the character's thought process. Is he more logical, or more intuitive? Idealistic or practical?
He thinks logically with an idealistic twist. He will think through situations, weighing pros and cons and usually goes with the most rational, beneficial decision in the end. However, that is not to say he hasn’t been known to take a few risks now and then or deny himself happiness.
4. What kind of education has the character had?
Excellent, especially for the 15th century. His father being a schoolteacher and a tutor, he was educated from a young age and went all the way through University.
5. What are his areas of expertise? What, if anything, is he interested in learning more about?
He is good at just about everything except painting and singing which are his weak points. He has recently become very interested in architecture and would love to study it in more depth.
6. Is he an introvert or an extrovert?
Neither.
7. Describe the character's temperament. Is he even-tempered or does he have mood swings? Cheerful or melancholy? Laid-back or driven?
He is usually steady and laid-back, but if he is pushed he can have a very nasty temper. He tends to look on the bright side of things and has a good business sense and a strong drive to succeed.
8. How does he respond to new people or situations? Is he suspicious, relaxed, timid, enthusiastic?
When he was little, Giacomo had a very hard time with change. He resisted it as much as possible and only with age has he come to better accept situations as they come.
9. Is he more likely to act, or to react?
Act.
10. Which is his default: fight or flight?
Fight.
11. Describe the character's sense of humor. Does he appreciate jokes? Puns? Gallows humor? Bathroom humor? Pranks?
Giacomo is far too serious to have time for pranks. He enjoys a well-placed pun or jab every so often but humor is not high on his list.
12. Does the character have any diagnosable mental disorders? If yes, how does he deal with them?
No.
13. What moments in this character's life have defined him as a person?
The biggest defining event in his life was the death of his mother when he was almost six. He had been very close with his mother and losing her tore his world apart. When he moved into his cousin's house with his baby sister, he slipped naturally into the role of older, protective brother.
Another huge moment in his life was when his father passed away. It was sort of sudden and he was thrust into the role of head of the family which he tried to accept with as much grace and ease as possible. It was hard losing his last parent, but he gained the freedom and power he had been craving.
Teaching Alessandra for so many years also helped define him. It proved to him the capabilities of women and the benefit of educating them which has, in turn, made him into a more open person.
14. What does he fear?
Losing control.
15. What are his hopes or aspirations?
Well, he wants his family to be strong and united. He wants to help Alessandra and Lucio. He wants to be successful in business. He wants to dabble in architecture. And deep down he very much wishes that Kari could be his wife.
16. What is something he doesn't want anyone to find out about him?
Nothing.


Relationships
1. Describe this character's relationship with his parents.
He had an ok relationship with his father. He respected him and they were always nice to one another, but there was always a bit of resentment on Giac's part for his father remarrying and sending his sister off to marry Carlo.
He didn't know his mother for very long, but they were very close. It was her that taught him to speak French and charged Giacomo to always look after Alessandra. And it was her that he always tries his best for.
His stepmother, Viola, was a whole different story. They were always at odds and he could never come accustomed to her presence in the house. In his eyes, she was a third-rate replacement for his mother and he resented her for it.
2. Does the character have any siblings? What is/was their relationship like?
He is very close with and protective of Alessandra. When she was born, he took on the responsibility of keeping her safe and it created a close bond.
He had a more strained relationship with Renata, Nico, and Ghita. He didn’t spend much time with them growing up and, as a result they were not nearly as close. There were times he detested them for being Viola’s children, but his hatred has tempered significantly as he has come to know them.
3. Are there other blood relatives to whom he is close? Are there ones he can't stand?
Of all his relations, he is closest with his Aunt Caterina, his cousin Heather, and his second-cousin Alberto. There isn't anyone he can't stand except for Viola.
4. Are there other, unrelated people whom he considers part of his family? What are his relationships with them?
Lucio! At first they were buddies from University, but then (much to his chagrin) Lucio started an affair with his sister. If the boys weren't close enough to be related before that, they are now, in an almost-in-laws sense.
5. Who is/was the character's best friend? How did they meet?
As noted above, his best friend was, and still is, Lucio (except for Alessandra, of course) and they met at University.
6. Does he have other close friends?
Not many.
7. Does he make friends easily, or does he have trouble getting along with people?
He makes acquaintances easily. He doesn’t have a large circle of friends, but that’s not because he’s incapable of making them.
8. Which does he consider more important: family or friends?
His best friend is family in his eyes.
9. Is the character single, married, divorced, widowed? Has he been married more than once?
Recently married.
10. Is he currently in a romantic relationship with someone other than a spouse?
Yes.
11. Who was his first crush? Who is his latest?
His first, current, and one-and-only love is Kari. Regrettably, she used to be a courtesan and he cannot bring her into polite society.
12. What does he look for in a romantic partner?
He looks for an understanding ear; someone that will stick by his side forever and offer support. They also have to be intelligent as he cannot stand talking with vapid people.
13. Does the character have children? Grandchildren? If yes, how does he relate to them? If no, does he want any?
He has one baby about to be born with Kari and Beatrice has some good news she hasn't disclosed yet.
14. Does he have any rivals or enemies?
No.
15. What is the character's sexual orientation? Where does he fall on the Kinsey scale?
Straight.
16. How does he feel about sex? How important is it to him?
Good, but his love is stronger than lust. When Kari was pregnant, he remained loyal to her and refrained from taking any more lovers. Things got easier for him towards the end when he married.
17. What are his turn-ons? Turn-offs? Weird bedroom habits?
He's got a thing for girls with blonde hair.


Beliefs
1. Do you know your character's astrological (zodiac of choice) sign? How well does he fit type?
No.
2. Is this character religious, spiritual, both, or neither? How important are these elements in his life?
Catholic, though not overly religious.
3. Does this character have a personal code of morals or ethics? If so, how did that begin? What would it take to compromise it?
Pretty much he does what he thinks is fit for the situation. He doesn't follow strictly the guidelines of society, though he doesn't shun them either.
4. How does he regard beliefs that differ from his? Is he tolerant, intolerant, curious, indifferent?
Openly and with interest.
5. What prejudices does he hold? Are they irrational or does he have a good reason for them?
None other than the basic ones from the period. He’s a bit prejudiced against certain religions and classes, but that's to be expected. Nothing too out of the ordinary.
Also, I think it's worth mentioning that he doesn’t share the common prejudice against women. He sees their capabilities and treats them as equals.


Daily Life
1. What is the character's financial situation? Is he rich, poor, comfortable, in debt?
Fairly well off and getting better.
2. What is his social status? Has this changed over time, and if so, how has the change affected him?
His family was once one of the great families of Florence and his father strived to bring glory back to their name. He wasn't too successful, though. While their family is somewhat respected, they are nowhere near the top of the social hierarchy. His wife comes from a good family and lends him prestige and he is constantly working to improve their situation.
3. Where does he live? House, apartment, trailer? Is his home his castle or just a place to crash? What condition is it in? Does he share it with others?
He lives in a house on the edges of town. It's been the family home for generations, but lately he's been considering purchasing a new house in the center of the city.
4. Besides the basic necessities, what does he spend his money on?
Sometimes he gambles, mostly he buys books on architecture.
5. What does he do for a living? Is he good at it? Does he enjoy it, or would he rather be doing something else?
Well, he does a bit of this and that. He has a share in some businesses which earn him money and he invests. He's recently discovered his passion for architecture and he'd love to give it a try.
6. What are his interests or hobbies? How does he spend his free time?
With his mistress, with his sister, with his best friend, reading, working, and studying architecture.
7. What are his eating habits? Does he skip meals, eat out, drink alcohol, avoid certain foods?
No more overindulging on alcohol for Giacomo.


Associations:
Which of the following do you associate with the character, or which is his favorite:

1. Color? Black.
2. Smell? Books.
3. Time of day? Night.
4. Season? Fall.
5. Book? Alberti's treatise on architecture.
6. Music? Something slow.
7. Place? Kari's house.
8. Substance? Cement.
9. Plant? None.
10. Animal? Black bear.