Antagonist: Difference between revisions
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An '''antagonist''' (from [[Greek language|Greek]] ἀνταγωνιστής - ''antagonistēs'' |
An '''antagonist''' (from [[Greek language|Greek]] ἀνταγωνιστής - ''antagonistēs'' |
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, "opponent, competitor, enemy, rival," from anti-"against" + agonizesthai "to contend for a prize")<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=antagonist&searchmode=none |title=Antagonist |publisher=Online Etymology Dictionary |accessdate=28 November 2010}}</ref><ref>{{OED|antagonist}}</ref> is a character, group of characters, [[institution]], or concept that stands in or represents opposition against which the [[protagonist]](s) must contend. In other words, an antagonist is a person or a group of people who oppose the protagonist(s).<ref>[http://contemporarylit.about.com/cs/literaryterms/g/antagonist.htm About.com, Literature: Contemporary "Antagonist." Online. October 18, 2007.]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://grammarist.com/usage/protagonist-antagonist/|title=Protagonist and Antagonist definition|publisher=Grammarist.com}} Retrieved 25 March 2015.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/general/glossary.htm|title=Glossary of Literary Terms}} Retrieved on 27 March 2015.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://highered.mheducation.com/sites/0072405228/student_view0/drama_glossary.html|title=Glossary of Drama Terms|publisher=Online Learning Center}} Retrieved on 27 March 2015.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://fictionwriting.about.com/od/glossary/g/antagonist.htm|title=Antagonist - Definition for Fiction Writers|publisher=About.com}} Retrieved on 27 March 2015.</ref> |
, "opponent, competitor, enemy, rival," from anti-"against" + agonizesthai "to contend for a prize")<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=antagonist&searchmode=none |title=Antagonist |publisher=Online Etymology Dictionary |accessdate=28 November 2010}}</ref><ref>{{OED|antagonist}}</ref> is a character, group of characters, [[institution]], or concept that stands in or represents opposition against which the [[protagonist]](s) must contend. In other words, an antagonist is a person or a group of people who oppose the protagonist(s).<ref>[http://contemporarylit.about.com/cs/literaryterms/g/antagonist.htm About.com, Literature: Contemporary "Antagonist." Online. October 18, 2007.]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://grammarist.com/usage/protagonist-antagonist/|title=Protagonist and Antagonist definition|publisher=Grammarist.com}} Retrieved 25 March 2015.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/general/glossary.htm|title=Glossary of Literary Terms}} Retrieved on 27 March 2015.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://highered.mheducation.com/sites/0072405228/student_view0/drama_glossary.html|title=Glossary of Drama Terms|publisher=Online Learning Center}} Retrieved on 27 March 2015.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://fictionwriting.about.com/od/glossary/g/antagonist.htm|title=Antagonist - Definition for Fiction Writers|publisher=About.com}} Retrieved on 27 March 2015.</ref> |
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==Types== |
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===Heroes and villains=== |
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In the classic style of stories where in the action consists of a [[hero]] fighting a [[villain]]/[[enemy]], the two can be regarded as protagonist and antagonist, respectively. Some narratives cast the villain in the protagonist role, with the opposing hero as the antagonist. |
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The antagonists may also represent a threat or obstacle to the main character by their existence, without necessarily deliberately targeting him or her. |
The antagonists may also represent a threat or obstacle to the main character by their existence, without necessarily deliberately targeting him or her. |
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Examples in both film and theatre include [[Sauron]], the main antagonist in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]],'' who constantly battles the series' protagonists, and [[Tybalt]], an antagonist in ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'', who slays [[Mercutio]] and whose later death results in the exiling of one of the play's protagonists, [[Romeo]]. A convention of antagonists in stories is that their moral choices are less savoury than those of protagonists. This is often used by an author to create conflict within a story. However, this is merely a convention and the reversal of this can be seen in the character [[Macduff (Macbeth)|Macduff]] from ''[[Macbeth]],'' who is arguably morally correct in his desire to fight the tyrant [[Macbeth (Macbeth)|Macbeth]]. |
Examples in both film and theatre include [[Sauron]], the main antagonist in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]],'' who constantly battles the series' protagonists, and [[Tybalt]], an antagonist in ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'', who slays [[Mercutio]] and whose later death results in the exiling of one of the play's protagonists, [[Romeo]]. A convention of antagonists in stories is that their moral choices are less savoury than those of protagonists. This is often used by an author to create conflict within a story. However, this is merely a convention and the reversal of this can be seen in the character [[Macduff (Macbeth)|Macduff]] from ''[[Macbeth]],'' who is arguably morally correct in his desire to fight the tyrant [[Macbeth (Macbeth)|Macbeth]]. |
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===Other characters=== |
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Characters may be antagonists without being villainous or evil – they be simply be injudicious, and dislikeable for the audience. In some stories, such as ''The Catcher in the Rye'', almost every character other the protagonist may be an antagonist.<ref name="Bulman 2007">{{cite book |last1=Bulman |first1=Colin |title=Creative Writing: A Guide and Glossary to Fiction Writing |date=2007 |publisher=Polity Press |isbn=9780745636870 |page=17 |url=https://books.google.com.au/books?id=LaD4cWyrl_kC&pg=PA17 |via=Google Books}}</ref> |
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===Aspects of the protagonist=== |
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An aspect or trait of the protagonist may be considered an antagonist, such as their morality or indecisiveness.<ref name="Bulman 2007" /> |
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===Non-corporeal=== |
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| ⚫ | The antagonist may not always be a person or persons. In some cases an antagonist may be a force, such as a tidal wave that destroyed a city, or a storm that is causing havoc, or even the conditions in a certain area that are causing a problem. An antagonist also may or may not create obstacles for the protagonist. <ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.roanestate.edu/owl/ElementsLit.html |title=The Elements of Literature |publisher=roanestate.edu}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 01:07, 27 March 2015
An antagonist (from Greek ἀνταγωνιστής - antagonistēs , "opponent, competitor, enemy, rival," from anti-"against" + agonizesthai "to contend for a prize")[1][2] is a character, group of characters, institution, or concept that stands in or represents opposition against which the protagonist(s) must contend. In other words, an antagonist is a person or a group of people who oppose the protagonist(s).[3][4][5][6][7]
Types
Heroes and villains
In the classic style of stories where in the action consists of a hero fighting a villain/enemy, the two can be regarded as protagonist and antagonist, respectively. Some narratives cast the villain in the protagonist role, with the opposing hero as the antagonist.
The antagonists may also represent a threat or obstacle to the main character by their existence, without necessarily deliberately targeting him or her.
Examples in both film and theatre include Sauron, the main antagonist in The Lord of the Rings, who constantly battles the series' protagonists, and Tybalt, an antagonist in Romeo and Juliet, who slays Mercutio and whose later death results in the exiling of one of the play's protagonists, Romeo. A convention of antagonists in stories is that their moral choices are less savoury than those of protagonists. This is often used by an author to create conflict within a story. However, this is merely a convention and the reversal of this can be seen in the character Macduff from Macbeth, who is arguably morally correct in his desire to fight the tyrant Macbeth.
Other characters
Characters may be antagonists without being villainous or evil – they be simply be injudicious, and dislikeable for the audience. In some stories, such as The Catcher in the Rye, almost every character other the protagonist may be an antagonist.[8]
Aspects of the protagonist
An aspect or trait of the protagonist may be considered an antagonist, such as their morality or indecisiveness.[8]
Non-corporeal
The antagonist may not always be a person or persons. In some cases an antagonist may be a force, such as a tidal wave that destroyed a city, or a storm that is causing havoc, or even the conditions in a certain area that are causing a problem. An antagonist also may or may not create obstacles for the protagonist. [9]
See also
References
- ^ "Antagonist". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
- ^ "antagonist". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
- ^ About.com, Literature: Contemporary "Antagonist." Online. October 18, 2007.
- ^ "Protagonist and Antagonist definition". Grammarist.com. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
- ^ "Glossary of Literary Terms". Retrieved on 27 March 2015.
- ^ "Glossary of Drama Terms". Online Learning Center. Retrieved on 27 March 2015.
- ^ "Antagonist - Definition for Fiction Writers". About.com. Retrieved on 27 March 2015.
- ^ a b Bulman, Colin (2007). Creative Writing: A Guide and Glossary to Fiction Writing. Polity Press. p. 17. ISBN 9780745636870 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Elements of Literature". roanestate.edu.