Who are the stock characters in melodrama?

In melodrama, stock characters typically include the virtuous heroine, the noble hero, the villain, and the comic relief. The virtuous heroine often finds herself in peril, while the noble hero strives to rescue her. The villain embodies evil and creates conflict, and the comic relief provides humor to balance the intense emotions of the plot. These archetypes are exaggerated and serve to evoke strong emotional responses from the audience.