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What is the Meaning of the Protagonist?

The term “protagonist” comes from the Greek word for “first actor.” In literature, the protagonist is the main character or hero of a work, the central figure around whom the story revolves. By contrast, the antagonist is the opposing force that the protagonist must confront or contend with in order to reach their goal.

The hero of a story is typically the protagonist, but that isn’t always the case. Often, the antagonist plays a bigger role in the story and may be the driving force of action. In some cases, the protagonist and antagonist are inextricably linked, and their actions are intertwined. This is often the case in plays and films, where the central character is both the protagonist and antagonist.

No matter the specifics of a story, the protagonist is usually easy to recognize. They are usually the most powerful and heroic character, the one who is most often driving the action. The antagonist is usually the opposite; they provide the resistance the protagonist must overcome in order to achieve whatever goal they have set out to achieve.

Protagonist vs. Antagonist

Protagonist and antagonist are two of the most essential and commonly used literary terms. Together, these two characters frame a story and provide the necessary push and pull of drama.

At the core, the main difference between a protagonist and antagonist is that the protagonist is the hero of the story, the one striving to achieve the goal and make positive changes, while the antagonist is the one who is constructing obstacles that the protagonist must traverse or confront. Where the protagonist and antagonist are not intertwined, the antagonist may be a character, a situation, or even an inanimate object.

Whatever the case, these two characters give the story its tension and drama and propel it forward. They ultimately provide the resolution of the story, whether it is favorable or unfavorable to the protagonist and his/her goals.

Subtypes of Protagonist and Antagonist

The terms protagonist and antagonist don’t always have to refer to character types. In certain cases, they can refer to different types of conflict or issues that the protagonist must face.

For example, a protagonist may face an internal conflict, which may be within their own psyche or values. This is a conflict with themselves, as they struggle to reconcile two different personal philosophies, or two different wants or needs. External conflicts, on the other hand, are those facing the protagonist from outside forces, such as other characters or even forces of nature.

The same holds true for antagonists. The forces opposing the protagonist may be internal, as already discussed, or they may be external. The external antagonist may be other people, institutions, governments, or other forces.

Lastly, protagonists and antagonists can also be analyzed in terms of form. Concretely, protagonists and antagonists can both be benevolent or malevolent in nature. A benevolent protagonist may be trying to free their people from oppression, while a malevolent antagonist may have evil, sinister motives, like world domination.

Conclusion

Protagonist and antagonist are two of the most essential and commonly used literary terms. The protagonist is the hero and main character of a work, while the antagonist is the opposing force that stands in the protagonist’s way. Together, these two characters generate the much-needed tension and drama in order to push the story forward, ultimately leading to its resolution. Protagonists and antagonists can be analyzed in terms of characters, conflict, or even form. It is up to the reader or listener to decide which type best fits the story.