Here is a general description of a narrative protagonists and antagonists from todays lecture..

THE PROTAGONIST …

  • Doesn’t die (usually)
  • Is the one whose life is made difficult
  • Is the person whose head we are inside is the person who changes the most
  • Usually drives the action
  • Whoever speaks in voiceover is the protagonist
  • Is central to the story’s dramatic high/turning points there can be more than one

ANTAGONISTS …

  • One protagonist, many antagonists
  • Need not be the protagonist’s enemy, but always cause change or trouble for them
  • Not necessarily less interesting than the protagonist
  • Often the story is written for them
  • Powerfully driven and their wishes are in opposition to the protagonist
    better depicted from the outside (would become less interesting if we were in their head)