Leading actor

The main character, protagonist or main role is in the literature or the performing arts that figure, at issue in the story, the story is told that the action ( dramaturgy or choreography ) a short story, a novel, screenplay or a movie plot, a play or the libretto of a musical theater ( ballet, opera ), etc. significantly drives, the protagonist. Therefore, it is also colloquially the " hero of the story " called.

Function of the main character as the protagonist

The story of the main character, their conflicts, their adventures or their mental or physical development are the stuff of history. Sherlock Holmes clarifies crimes, Tamino has to pass exams, Harry Potter must fight Voldemort, but at the same time grow up. Most occurs in narratives also an antagonist ( opponent) the opposing objectives as the main character, the criminals at Holmes, The Queen of the Night in Tamino, Voldemort in Harry Potter. Then, the conflict between protagonist and antagonist the narrative. At the same time, there are often significant side characters who accompany their experience their own story, Doctor Watson for Holmes, Papageno in The Magic Flute, Ron and Hermione for Harry.

The main character must not be a man, in addition to aliens in science fiction can, for example, families, countries, or ideas for the main character of a story are. The same applies to the antagonist.

Among them, there are numerous special forms, such as the first lover in the opera.

Sometimes the main character is also the narrator ( first person perspective ), a special narrative perspective, the story can be told staff in the third person, another character in a novel, the story of the main character tell ( Dr. Watson in Sherlock Holmes), an omniscient ( authorial ) narrator can know everything about the main character and tell the reader.

Title role versus main role

Although it is mostly the same figure, the main role may not always be confused with the title role. The title role corresponds to the figure of a work, which gives it its name. So already, the title suggests: Faust, Don Quixote, William Tell, or Harry Potter are examples.

Cast the lead role in the performing arts

The main role will be filled with lead actor. In most cases, it involves the protagonist, but can also be an antagonist occupy the leading role. You can embody accompanied for an actor with the highest fame. So the Oscar for best female or male lead one of the most important film awards for an actor.