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“protagonist”
antagonist, protagonist
antagonist (an TAG uh nist) (noun)
1. Someone, or something, opposing or in conflict with another person or thing; an opponent: Edwin's antagonist in the debate was smarter than he was.
2. One of the main characters in a book, play, or movie whose values or behaviors are in conflict with those of the primary character: The objective of the antagonist in the story was to destroy the protagonist in battle.
2. One of the main characters in a book, play, or movie whose values or behaviors are in conflict with those of the primary character: The objective of the antagonist in the story was to destroy the protagonist in battle.
protagonist (proh TAG uh nist) (noun)
The most important, or "primary", character (good or evil) in a novel, play, story, or other literary work: The protagonist had to defend himself against the opposition of the antagonist.
"An "antagonist" is really someone who is opposed to another person; an "opponent".
At a recent production of story of the prince and the poor girl, the character of the stepsister who was the antagonist was exaggerated and made the audience laugh; however, the poor girl who was the protagonist in the story was portrayed as gentle and sweet.
This entry is located in the following unit:
Confusing Words Clarified: Group A; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, Polysemes, etc.
(page 6)
1. The most important or primary character, either good or evil, in a novel, play, story, or other literary work: The protagonist must defend himself or herself against the opposition of an antagonist.
2. A leading personage in any contest; a prominent supporter or champion of any cause: The protagonist is not necessarily a "good person".
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2. A leading personage in any contest; a prominent supporter or champion of any cause: The protagonist is not necessarily a "good person".
In ancient Greek drama, the protagonist was said to be the main character, however in a modern work with more than one main character, there might be more than one protagonist.
4. Etymology: borrowed from Greek, proto-, "first in time, earliest" + agonistes, "actor, combatant".