Protagonist and Antagonist

Protagonist

• Main character in a novel, story, movie tv show

• Has clearly defined wish or goal.• Often the “good guy” in a struggle. The

reader often roots for this person to be achieve their goals and come out victorious.

• Struggles against opposing forces to achieve his/her goals.

Complex Protagonist

• Protagonists can be flawed.• Well written protagonists are the most

rounded, fully developed characters in a story.• Protagonists should be interesting and have

diverse motivations.

Hero Vs. Anti-Hero

• With the conversation of flawed protagonist comes the hero vs. anti-hero idea.

• The protagonist doesn’t have to be a hero, nor does it have to be an anti-hero

• But often the protagonist falls into one of these categories

• The anti-hero has become greatly popular and is a more complex character.

Hero

• The good guy of a story who starts good and stays good and saves the day. Often predictable with clear cut motivations.

• Idealist• High moral code• Decisive• Leader• Successful• Has initiative• Courageous• Likeable• Has principles.

Anti- Hero• Complex character driven by a variety of motivations.• Starts bad and unlikeable but somehow becomes sympathetic in the

end.• Pragmatic• Gray moral code• Indecisive • Unsuccessful• Inconsiderate• Indifferent• Unlikeable• Greedy• Rebellious• Nonconformist• insubordinate

Tragic Hero

• Starts noble or heroic• Have a flaw that becomes their own downfall• Gain a self awareness through own actions• They die in the end.

Antagonist

• Is the opponent of the protagonist• Tries (either intentionally or not) to stop the

protagonist from reaching their goal.• Can be a person, a force of nature, or some

aspect of the protagonist themselves

Protagonist and Antagonist interchangeable?

• When the anti-hero comes in often times the debate of who is the antagonist and who is the protagonist is not as clear

• Depending on a person’s view point the protagonist and antagonist can change when the characters are complex enough and the goals, conflict and obstacles are well written.

• If the reader is not presented with an alternative to the antagonist then they become the anti-hero/protagonist.