Character roles representing “friend-foe” dichotomy in conflict polycode texts

This article pays attention to the peculiarities of cognitive matrix “Friend or Foe” representation in conflict-oriented polycode texts, which continues a series of papers that consider the problem of conflict Internet communication. Thus the primary goal of the study is to define the roles of characters featured in graphic-verbal polycode texts (Internet memes and demotivators) of conflict nature within the framework of the poles of the “Friend-Foe” dichotomy. The study focused on the represented qualities and characteristics, actions and activities, the peculiarities of communicative behavior attributed to the represented characters, as well as the general context of the message and the modeled attitude, expressed in particular in the author’s commentary part. Based on the data obtained, 6 represented situational roles of integrative nature were identified: Paltry individual, Aggressor, Punished man within the framework of the “Foe” pole and an Ideal man, Defender, Victim within the framework of the “Friend” pole. The peculiarities of their representation within the verbal and iconic components of the discussed polycode texts are analyzed as the details of the external appearance, the corresponding facial expressions, postures and body positions of the characters, the language used in the characters’ utterances and author’s comments reflecting the polarity of the categories within the cognitive matrix are analyzed. The specificity of the representation of the dichotomy of justice / injustice, positive and negative assessments of the author concerning the features of the character roles in the considered texts is noted.