application.
Character Name: Castiel
Character Series: Supernatural
Character Age: Unknown. As an angel, and due to the implications of the show, Castiel, although considered comparatively young for an angel, is several thousand years old. Biblically speaking, angels were created before the Earth, and as the Bible dates the Earth to something handy to six thousand years old. As such, Castiel is probably a little over six thousand. He looks, however, to be in his mid-thirties (this would be the approximate age of his vessel).
Background: Wiki: Supernatural, Supernatural wiki: Castiel. I'll be taking Castiel from after 6x11.
Mayfield Housing: 771 Bunker Street
Personality:
Dean: Who are you?
Castiel: I'm the one who gripped you tight and raised you from perdition.
In our first introduction to Castiel, we are greeted with the bare bones of what makes him up as an individual -- when Dean asks 'why' he was brought back, Castiel responds first with: "What's the matter? You don't think you deserved to be saved?" followed by "because God commanded it. Because we have work for you." This reveals two of his 'key' personality traits, as it were -- his curiosity and interest in humans, and his faith in God, both of which I'll return to later. It's also worth noting that Castiel doesn't, at first, introduce himself for who he is, but for what he's done, even though Dean is already aware that Castiel must be the individual that brought him back from Hell.
First and foremost, Castiel is an angel. However, one must keep in mind that angels in Supernatural are not the clichéd angels of popular culture that help people -- in fact, Dean comments upon this fact and Castiel tells Dean to "read the bible; angels are warriors of God. (I'm) a soldier. I'm not here to perch on your shoulder; we have larger concerns."
Castiel's general demeanour is that of a particularly serious individual, and he tends to take many things on face value. As much as he's interested in, and fascinated by humans, he doesn't understand them. He's watched them, but until Dean becomes his charge, he hasn't been involved with them at all. His manner of speaking is comparatively formal, and seems to have the air of someone who knows the language they're using, but aren't 100% comfortable with how it's used. On top of this, Castiel is incredibly blunt and to-the-point, and very honest -- all to the point of appearing cold and uncaring.
Popular culture flies straight over his head, and he often takes sarcasm and jokes literally, as well as coming across as quite naive. As such, his usual blunt, straight-forward and to-the-point manner becomes a source of humour for others.
Castiel: We'll... tell the officer that he ... witnessed an angel of the Lord, and the officer will tell us where the angel is.
Dean: Really? Are you serious? You're going to walk in there and tell him the truth?
Castiel: Why not?
Another source of entertainment for others, and a symptom of his inexperience on Earth and with humans, is his confusion over what most would view as everyday objects -- mobile phones, for example. He can use them, but he doesn't understand them. During a conversation with Dean, he grows impatient and frustrated with how amusing Dean finds the fact that they're conversing using a phone, and he interrupts him with "this isn't funny! The voice says I'm almost out of minutes!", and when Sam tries to phone him and is greeted with Castiel's voicemail, the message is "I don't understand, why do you want me to say my name?" followed by the sound of a series of awkward button mashes.
A more 'serious' example of the disparity between Castiel, as an angel, and the Winchesters, as humans, comes with regards to morals. Regardless of how much Castiel changes over the course of the show, he has an entirely different approach to morals. He's willing to destroy a town of 1000 for the greater good (although he'd rather not), and at a later point, he's perfectly willing to kill a child -- the anti-Christ, simply because he could become Lucifer, and Hell's, greatest weapon.
With regards to humanity, Castiel could be seen as something of a rarity amongst angels -- or at least, amongst those shown to be in his garrison. Uriel, a friend, a brother, views humans as 'plumbing on legs' and has little respect for humanity -- Uriel seems to very much subscribe to the idea that angels are superior to humans. Castiel, on the other hand, views humans as 'works of art'.
"You misunderstand me, Dean. I'm not like you think; I was praying you would choose to save the town. These people -- they are all my Father's creations. Works of arts."
His view of humanity is, it would seem, link to the way that he view God and, ultimately, himself and the other angels. After all, Castiel is a servant of God; God created him, the angels, Earth and the humans. Thus, humans are as deserving of his respect as any of God's other creations. This isn't to say that Castiel is opposed to looking at the 'bigger picture' -- quite the opposite, in fact. Throughout the majority of his existence, Castiel has been taught that it is the bigger picture that matters; as a loyal servant of God, he shouldn't question the orders he's given, for destiny and fate are paramount, and there is nothing that will be done that isn't for the best, that isn't how God would desire it.
As such, on two separate occasions in quite a short amount of time, Castiel attempts to persuade Dean that he should be looking at the bigger picture. One of these is when he tries to also point out that the circumstances surrounding Sam and Dean are not limited just to them -- "Our numbers are not unlimited. Six of my brothers died in the field this week. You think the armies of Heaven should just follow you around? There's a bigger picture here. You should show me some respect. I dragged you out of Hell, I can throw you back in." From this, it's clear that his patience does, in fact, have limits -- and it's entirely related to how seriously any particular situation is being taken, and whether the due amount of respect is being paid. Furthermore, like the other angels that have appeared in the series, he's not above making threats as an attempt to persuade others to see things his ('their' -- the angels) way, and to do 'the right' thing.
Whilst it is shown that angels do not feel emotions in the same manner as humans, and that Castiel has an entirely naive understanding of humans and their emotions (see: his first meeting with Dean and his failure to understand why Dean might believe that he's not worth saving), it is clear that Castiel does feel and that angels do have emotions (many of them appear to have quite bad tempers, for example). What Castiel struggles with the most, and slowly gains an understanding of over the course of the show, is empathy - not to mention, of course, the expression of emotions.
When Castiel tells Anna, an angel that fell to Earth and who was once his superior, that he is 'sorry' for what is about to take place, she says that he's not, that he has no understanding of that entails. It's implied that he's aware of sorrow and regret in a loose sense -- akin to being aware of the definition of a word, but not entirely sure of how it's used, and it's worth noting that he doesn't entirely disagree ("Still, we have a history."), but orders are orders; obeying and being a good son is paramount.
Sorrow and regret -- even guilt -- and the difficulties with which Castiel has in recognising, accepting and expressing them come down, quite simply, to the fact that he is an angel. As mentioned previously, orders are exceptionally important; angels are expected to follow the word of God without question, and what He wants is just and right. ("Look, even if you can't understand it, have faith. The plan is just. [...] Because it comes from Heaven; that makes it just.") To express sorrow and regret over one's actions and what they are being asked to do is, in essence, an expression of doubt (after all, after returning from Heaven, Castiel tells Dean that “[They] feel I've begun to express emotions -- doorways to doubt. It can impair my judgment."). Whilst angels have free-will, they do not have it in the sense that human's have free-will.
As the show progresses, however, Castiel begins to discover a greater understanding of emotions -- both those that he experiences personally, and those that others experience.
Whilst his stint in 'Bible Camp' more-or-less overrides that which Castiel had learnt on his time on Earth with regards to humanity, emotions and empathy, it doesn't take long for Castiel to return to having questions about, and doubting the mission he has been given and the way it is progressing. This, of course, is due to Dean Winchester.
"I learned my lesson while I was away, Dean. I serve Heaven, I don't serve man -- and I certainly don't serve you."
Dean Winchester is his primary charge, and it is Dean that teaches Castiel, in his own way, about humanity. Ultimately, it is Dean and his actions that help Castiel realise that Heaven's actions are not necessarily the right ones and that fate and destiny are not necessarily set in stone. It is Dean that pushes Castiel from considering rebellion to giving into that desire to rebel.
Chuck: You guys aren't supposed to be there. You're not in this story.
Castiel: Yeah, well, we're making it up as we go. [...] It's the archangel. I'll hold them off. I'll hold them all off.
These actions do get him killed, and he surmises that it must be due to God's will that he was brought back. Regardless of this, his status as an angel who has rebelled does not change, and Castiel remains hunted by his fellow angels, leading to him placing even more of his faith in his father -- in God -- and less in his fellow angels, in Heaven, and in those giving the orders.
The realisation that he can't place his faith in Heaven any longer and that he is cut of from its power comes as a sharp shock to him, particularly as he 'gave up everything' for Dean and what Dean believed in. Therefore, Castiel decides that he should look for God as God is the only one who can help them defeat Lucifer. Whilst Castiel is shown as being rather placid generally, having God, and his faith in God questioned is likely to lead to him losing his temper.
"Enough. This is not a theological issue -- it's strategic. With God's help, we can win. I killed two angels this week -- my brothers. I'm hunted. I rebelled -- and I did it, all of it, for you. And you failed. You and your brother destroyed the world and I lost everything. For nothing. So keep your opinions to yourself."
As such, when Castiel learns that God is around but simply has no interest in the approaching apocalypse (as he doesn't think it has much to do with him), he 'deals' with his emotions over this event by going to a liquor store. And drinking it. All of it. In short? Emotions: not a strong point and are something that he's slowly coming to terms with, and what they mean for him and his actions. Betrayal, in particular, and the realisation that he can't necessarily simply place blind faith in a particular person or thing, comes as a large shock to him -- particularly since loyalty forms such a large part of his personality. This aspect is shown once again when Dean reveals his attention to say 'yes' and become Michael's vessel -- Castiel's response is to beat him up.
Abilities: As an angel, Castiel has a variety of powers--:
NOTE: I've listed only the abilities that Castiel has been shown to possess.
THE MAGIC TOUCH
Yes, angels have the ~healing touch~. However, this would seem to be dictated by Heaven; after rebelling, he tells Bobby that he is incapable of healing Bobby as he is 'cut off from Heaven's power.' This magic touch can also send people to sleep, and knock them unconscious (as it were), and exorcise demons, but the latter is limited with regards to both the rank of the angel and the strength of the demon. Castiel can also resurrect the dead.
TIMEY WIMEY ABILITIES.
No, this isn't just an excuse to quote Doctor Who. Angels -- Castiel included -- have the ability to travel backwards and forwards in time, as well as propel others backwards and forwards in time. This is an ability that's limited in part by Heaven. When he, Dean, and Sam time travel after Castiel has rebelled from Heaven, it causes him physical difficulties, and he doesn't expect to survive the return trip.
...Also, apparently time is fluid and can be bent on occasion.
Teleportation
Castiel's preferred method of transport. He can just teleport from place to place, and teleport people with him. He finds cars slow by comparison.
Teleportation isn't limited only to physical locations as he can also enter dreams.
Above-average strength
More-or-less what it says on the tin. Compared to a human, Castiel has above-average strength, although he's not as strong as, say, Uriel, or the demon Alistair.
Food and drink
Whilst angels can eat and drink, they don't need to.
Impervious to anything that affects demons and spirits.
This includes rock salt, devil traps and weapons designed specifically to harm demons. On the same note, he's also impervious to human weapons (although they might make him bleed). However, he is susceptible to holy fire and sigils designed to keep angels out, as well as a banishing sigil that forcibly transports angels away.
Finally, it's very difficult to kill an angel. At one point, it's mentioned that 'the only thing that can kill an angel is another angel'. This is proven to be false however, but it does require the use of an angelic sword.
Angelic possession
As mentioned previously, angels can posses individuals, however they can only do so with the individuals express consent (as opposed to demons, who just go ahead and posses people, whether they want it or not).
Magical/spiritual knowledge
He has a wide range of knowledge regarding magic, particularly rituals, spells, symbols and sigils.
The ability to rescue a soul from Hell
An innate angelic ability, apparently -- angels are the only beings that can rescue souls from Hell.
His presence can cause several effects:
His angelic form can affect electricity, blow bulbs, cause televisions to show static and radios to play only white noise. His true voice sounds a high-pitched whine to most individuals, causing glass shatter, whereas viewing his true form will burn a person's eyes from their heads.
Telepathy and telekinesis
He's also capable of telepathy, and can read minds. He has some degree of telekinesis -- shown particularly in the episode Abandon All Hope... when he uses it to escape a ring of holy fire.
...Finally, he can also see a demon's true face (as opposed to just the person they're possessing.)
Soulreading
Although it's painful for the human involved, angels can read the marks left of an individual's soul by another angel.
Pyrokinesis
He can start fires!
Voice mimicry
...He can alter the sound of his voice to sound like absolutely anyone.
Character Series: Supernatural
Character Age: Unknown. As an angel, and due to the implications of the show, Castiel, although considered comparatively young for an angel, is several thousand years old. Biblically speaking, angels were created before the Earth, and as the Bible dates the Earth to something handy to six thousand years old. As such, Castiel is probably a little over six thousand. He looks, however, to be in his mid-thirties (this would be the approximate age of his vessel).
Background: Wiki: Supernatural, Supernatural wiki: Castiel. I'll be taking Castiel from after 6x11.
Mayfield Housing: 771 Bunker Street
Personality:
Dean: Who are you?
Castiel: I'm the one who gripped you tight and raised you from perdition.
In our first introduction to Castiel, we are greeted with the bare bones of what makes him up as an individual -- when Dean asks 'why' he was brought back, Castiel responds first with: "What's the matter? You don't think you deserved to be saved?" followed by "because God commanded it. Because we have work for you." This reveals two of his 'key' personality traits, as it were -- his curiosity and interest in humans, and his faith in God, both of which I'll return to later. It's also worth noting that Castiel doesn't, at first, introduce himself for who he is, but for what he's done, even though Dean is already aware that Castiel must be the individual that brought him back from Hell.
First and foremost, Castiel is an angel. However, one must keep in mind that angels in Supernatural are not the clichéd angels of popular culture that help people -- in fact, Dean comments upon this fact and Castiel tells Dean to "read the bible; angels are warriors of God. (I'm) a soldier. I'm not here to perch on your shoulder; we have larger concerns."
Castiel's general demeanour is that of a particularly serious individual, and he tends to take many things on face value. As much as he's interested in, and fascinated by humans, he doesn't understand them. He's watched them, but until Dean becomes his charge, he hasn't been involved with them at all. His manner of speaking is comparatively formal, and seems to have the air of someone who knows the language they're using, but aren't 100% comfortable with how it's used. On top of this, Castiel is incredibly blunt and to-the-point, and very honest -- all to the point of appearing cold and uncaring.
Popular culture flies straight over his head, and he often takes sarcasm and jokes literally, as well as coming across as quite naive. As such, his usual blunt, straight-forward and to-the-point manner becomes a source of humour for others.
Castiel: We'll... tell the officer that he ... witnessed an angel of the Lord, and the officer will tell us where the angel is.
Dean: Really? Are you serious? You're going to walk in there and tell him the truth?
Castiel: Why not?
Another source of entertainment for others, and a symptom of his inexperience on Earth and with humans, is his confusion over what most would view as everyday objects -- mobile phones, for example. He can use them, but he doesn't understand them. During a conversation with Dean, he grows impatient and frustrated with how amusing Dean finds the fact that they're conversing using a phone, and he interrupts him with "this isn't funny! The voice says I'm almost out of minutes!", and when Sam tries to phone him and is greeted with Castiel's voicemail, the message is "I don't understand, why do you want me to say my name?" followed by the sound of a series of awkward button mashes.
A more 'serious' example of the disparity between Castiel, as an angel, and the Winchesters, as humans, comes with regards to morals. Regardless of how much Castiel changes over the course of the show, he has an entirely different approach to morals. He's willing to destroy a town of 1000 for the greater good (although he'd rather not), and at a later point, he's perfectly willing to kill a child -- the anti-Christ, simply because he could become Lucifer, and Hell's, greatest weapon.
With regards to humanity, Castiel could be seen as something of a rarity amongst angels -- or at least, amongst those shown to be in his garrison. Uriel, a friend, a brother, views humans as 'plumbing on legs' and has little respect for humanity -- Uriel seems to very much subscribe to the idea that angels are superior to humans. Castiel, on the other hand, views humans as 'works of art'.
"You misunderstand me, Dean. I'm not like you think; I was praying you would choose to save the town. These people -- they are all my Father's creations. Works of arts."
His view of humanity is, it would seem, link to the way that he view God and, ultimately, himself and the other angels. After all, Castiel is a servant of God; God created him, the angels, Earth and the humans. Thus, humans are as deserving of his respect as any of God's other creations. This isn't to say that Castiel is opposed to looking at the 'bigger picture' -- quite the opposite, in fact. Throughout the majority of his existence, Castiel has been taught that it is the bigger picture that matters; as a loyal servant of God, he shouldn't question the orders he's given, for destiny and fate are paramount, and there is nothing that will be done that isn't for the best, that isn't how God would desire it.
As such, on two separate occasions in quite a short amount of time, Castiel attempts to persuade Dean that he should be looking at the bigger picture. One of these is when he tries to also point out that the circumstances surrounding Sam and Dean are not limited just to them -- "Our numbers are not unlimited. Six of my brothers died in the field this week. You think the armies of Heaven should just follow you around? There's a bigger picture here. You should show me some respect. I dragged you out of Hell, I can throw you back in." From this, it's clear that his patience does, in fact, have limits -- and it's entirely related to how seriously any particular situation is being taken, and whether the due amount of respect is being paid. Furthermore, like the other angels that have appeared in the series, he's not above making threats as an attempt to persuade others to see things his ('their' -- the angels) way, and to do 'the right' thing.
Whilst it is shown that angels do not feel emotions in the same manner as humans, and that Castiel has an entirely naive understanding of humans and their emotions (see: his first meeting with Dean and his failure to understand why Dean might believe that he's not worth saving), it is clear that Castiel does feel and that angels do have emotions (many of them appear to have quite bad tempers, for example). What Castiel struggles with the most, and slowly gains an understanding of over the course of the show, is empathy - not to mention, of course, the expression of emotions.
When Castiel tells Anna, an angel that fell to Earth and who was once his superior, that he is 'sorry' for what is about to take place, she says that he's not, that he has no understanding of that entails. It's implied that he's aware of sorrow and regret in a loose sense -- akin to being aware of the definition of a word, but not entirely sure of how it's used, and it's worth noting that he doesn't entirely disagree ("Still, we have a history."), but orders are orders; obeying and being a good son is paramount.
Sorrow and regret -- even guilt -- and the difficulties with which Castiel has in recognising, accepting and expressing them come down, quite simply, to the fact that he is an angel. As mentioned previously, orders are exceptionally important; angels are expected to follow the word of God without question, and what He wants is just and right. ("Look, even if you can't understand it, have faith. The plan is just. [...] Because it comes from Heaven; that makes it just.") To express sorrow and regret over one's actions and what they are being asked to do is, in essence, an expression of doubt (after all, after returning from Heaven, Castiel tells Dean that “[They] feel I've begun to express emotions -- doorways to doubt. It can impair my judgment."). Whilst angels have free-will, they do not have it in the sense that human's have free-will.
As the show progresses, however, Castiel begins to discover a greater understanding of emotions -- both those that he experiences personally, and those that others experience.
Whilst his stint in 'Bible Camp' more-or-less overrides that which Castiel had learnt on his time on Earth with regards to humanity, emotions and empathy, it doesn't take long for Castiel to return to having questions about, and doubting the mission he has been given and the way it is progressing. This, of course, is due to Dean Winchester.
"I learned my lesson while I was away, Dean. I serve Heaven, I don't serve man -- and I certainly don't serve you."
Dean Winchester is his primary charge, and it is Dean that teaches Castiel, in his own way, about humanity. Ultimately, it is Dean and his actions that help Castiel realise that Heaven's actions are not necessarily the right ones and that fate and destiny are not necessarily set in stone. It is Dean that pushes Castiel from considering rebellion to giving into that desire to rebel.
Chuck: You guys aren't supposed to be there. You're not in this story.
Castiel: Yeah, well, we're making it up as we go. [...] It's the archangel. I'll hold them off. I'll hold them all off.
These actions do get him killed, and he surmises that it must be due to God's will that he was brought back. Regardless of this, his status as an angel who has rebelled does not change, and Castiel remains hunted by his fellow angels, leading to him placing even more of his faith in his father -- in God -- and less in his fellow angels, in Heaven, and in those giving the orders.
The realisation that he can't place his faith in Heaven any longer and that he is cut of from its power comes as a sharp shock to him, particularly as he 'gave up everything' for Dean and what Dean believed in. Therefore, Castiel decides that he should look for God as God is the only one who can help them defeat Lucifer. Whilst Castiel is shown as being rather placid generally, having God, and his faith in God questioned is likely to lead to him losing his temper.
"Enough. This is not a theological issue -- it's strategic. With God's help, we can win. I killed two angels this week -- my brothers. I'm hunted. I rebelled -- and I did it, all of it, for you. And you failed. You and your brother destroyed the world and I lost everything. For nothing. So keep your opinions to yourself."
As such, when Castiel learns that God is around but simply has no interest in the approaching apocalypse (as he doesn't think it has much to do with him), he 'deals' with his emotions over this event by going to a liquor store. And drinking it. All of it. In short? Emotions: not a strong point and are something that he's slowly coming to terms with, and what they mean for him and his actions. Betrayal, in particular, and the realisation that he can't necessarily simply place blind faith in a particular person or thing, comes as a large shock to him -- particularly since loyalty forms such a large part of his personality. This aspect is shown once again when Dean reveals his attention to say 'yes' and become Michael's vessel -- Castiel's response is to beat him up.
Abilities: As an angel, Castiel has a variety of powers--:
NOTE: I've listed only the abilities that Castiel has been shown to possess.
Yes, angels have the ~healing touch~. However, this would seem to be dictated by Heaven; after rebelling, he tells Bobby that he is incapable of healing Bobby as he is 'cut off from Heaven's power.' This magic touch can also send people to sleep, and knock them unconscious (as it were), and exorcise demons, but the latter is limited with regards to both the rank of the angel and the strength of the demon. Castiel can also resurrect the dead.
No, this isn't just an excuse to quote Doctor Who. Angels -- Castiel included -- have the ability to travel backwards and forwards in time, as well as propel others backwards and forwards in time. This is an ability that's limited in part by Heaven. When he, Dean, and Sam time travel after Castiel has rebelled from Heaven, it causes him physical difficulties, and he doesn't expect to survive the return trip.
...Also, apparently time is fluid and can be bent on occasion.
Castiel's preferred method of transport. He can just teleport from place to place, and teleport people with him. He finds cars slow by comparison.
Teleportation isn't limited only to physical locations as he can also enter dreams.
More-or-less what it says on the tin. Compared to a human, Castiel has above-average strength, although he's not as strong as, say, Uriel, or the demon Alistair.
Whilst angels can eat and drink, they don't need to.
This includes rock salt, devil traps and weapons designed specifically to harm demons. On the same note, he's also impervious to human weapons (although they might make him bleed). However, he is susceptible to holy fire and sigils designed to keep angels out, as well as a banishing sigil that forcibly transports angels away.
Finally, it's very difficult to kill an angel. At one point, it's mentioned that 'the only thing that can kill an angel is another angel'. This is proven to be false however, but it does require the use of an angelic sword.
As mentioned previously, angels can posses individuals, however they can only do so with the individuals express consent (as opposed to demons, who just go ahead and posses people, whether they want it or not).
He has a wide range of knowledge regarding magic, particularly rituals, spells, symbols and sigils.
An innate angelic ability, apparently -- angels are the only beings that can rescue souls from Hell.
His angelic form can affect electricity, blow bulbs, cause televisions to show static and radios to play only white noise. His true voice sounds a high-pitched whine to most individuals, causing glass shatter, whereas viewing his true form will burn a person's eyes from their heads.
He's also capable of telepathy, and can read minds. He has some degree of telekinesis -- shown particularly in the episode Abandon All Hope... when he uses it to escape a ring of holy fire.
...Finally, he can also see a demon's true face (as opposed to just the person they're possessing.)
Although it's painful for the human involved, angels can read the marks left of an individual's soul by another angel.
He can start fires!
...He can alter the sound of his voice to sound like absolutely anyone.