Antagonist

The antagonist (Greek ανταγωνιστής - " opponent " ) in drama and prose is the principal opponent of the protagonist and the force of the narrative, which hinders his actions. The role of the antagonist is generally in inflicting the protagonist damage and thwart his action intentions.

History

In the Greek tragedy of the first two generations ( Aeschylus, Sophocles ) there was on stage more than two actors who played all the roles that was viewed by a choir. This suggested that the actions on a tension-filled dramatic constellation of protagonist and antagonist constructions (for example, Oedipus and Creon in Oedipus the King ).

In late medieval theater often joined the devil or Antichrist to be an antagonist of saints or of Christ. The death as an opponent of the living came before the dance of death. Since the Renaissance, such allegorical figures to villains are anthropomorphized as the English vice.

Properties

Traditionally, it is the reverse of the protagonist in more ways than one, for example on ethical level: Is the protagonist is dealt with through positive ethical attributes hero, his antagonist is usually an immoral villain. However, this classification is not mandatory: enabling protagonists who are themselves evil or anti-hero, in morally more superior figures have an antagonist. Heroes can encounter "wrong" heroes who seem to follow morally valuable goals though, but in reality do harm.

Protagonist and antagonist are often clearly distinguished also by external dualistic characteristics from each other, for example through gender, age, status and ethnicity. On the other hand, they may just be characterized in that both almost did not differ, such as the topos of the " evil twin ".

However, the antagonist is not necessarily a person: a group of people, an organization, the nature, an abstract principle ( spirit of the time, the political situation, an ideal, religious and magical powers ), and even their own lives and past of the protagonist can hinder him in his progress and take so antagonistic function.

In mythology, the antagonist usually assume the role of guardians and examiners at, they are often merely personifications of thresholds of mythological protagonist has to pass: they hurt not him directly, but must be overcome so that the hero can continue on its way.

Actions

The antagonist does not necessarily have to act to impede the protagonists. Is the antagonist as the wild, untamed landscape ( such as in many adventure novels ), so is the mere fact of their existence in order to be considered obstruction.

If the antagonist in action, so part of his typical repertoire of actions:

  • Examination of the protagonist
  • Delusion of the protagonist
  • Pursuit of the protagonist
  • The family / friends of the protagonist harm
  • Challenge the protagonists in a direct duel
  • Be defeated by the protagonist
  • To be otherwise punished
  • Defeat the protagonist finally
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