![]() ![]() ![]() The function of an antagonist, in terms of plot, is to stand between a primary character and their main goals.Īn interfering authority figure is thus useful for creating challenges and complications that make life harder for your protagonist.ĭepending on the interfering authority figure you create, their broader story role could be: Pin or share this post to share this infographic. The nobility or virtue of this underlying wish makes his actions more tragic, since it appears his intentions are good. Boromir’s desire to uplift his city fits this description. ![]() Some also refer to this type of antagonist as a ‘hero antagonist’ since they may be motivated by noble ideals. They show us how easily people can take destructive paths that result in negative outcomes. Boromir thinks the ring’s dark power could be harnessed for goodĪlly-antagonists add shades of grey in the ‘black and white’ of ‘good vs evil’. Give them compelling motivations for their choices.Boromir is headstrong and, as a warrior, used to fighting for his ideals and using force Show the flaws in their personality that explain their behaviour.When writing an ally-antagonist, remember to: It also adds secondary conflicts that illustrate the ring’s corrupting power and danger. In the wider context of Tolkien’s story, it reinforces the idea that doing good is a conscious choice and not always an easy one. The ally-antagonist is a useful character because they show how easy it is for a ‘good’ character to make a regrettable choice. When Boromir tries to take the ring from Frodo by force, its a shocking moment where a morally complex character crosses the line from ally to antagonist. Yet Boromir disagrees with destroying it, arguing with his companions that they could use its mystical power to defeat the villain Sauron, or restore the city of Gondor. It’s particularly surprising in a story when an ally turns antagonist.įor example, in the first volume of Tolkien’s fantasy cycle, The Fellowship of the Ring, the warrior Boromir joins the main characters’ quest to destroy the One Ring. The next type of antagonist is often surprising, as we don’t typically expect strong opposition from allies or friends: 2. For example, a villain who surrounds themselves with greedy henchmen is more vulnerable to betrayal if their supporters are easily swayed by material rewards Give them vulnerabilities or weaknesses. These don’t have to be emotional or physical. ![]() Rowling shows Lord Voldemort’s descent from being Tom Riddle to the most notorious and feared member of the wizard community Over the course of her Harry Potter series (particularly the second book), J.K. Tolkien shows Sauron’s rise and fall in a prologue. Explain the origin of their corruption.Sauron in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings cycle, for example, has lost physical form and craves restored power A villain who does bad for ‘evil’s sake’ could lack development and motivations that make characters believable. Writing a malevolent antagonist who has an appetite for destruction has pitfalls. Iago stokes his military superior Othello’s jealousy until Othello murders his wife, suspecting her of infidelity thanks to Iago’s lies and manipulations. The character Iago from Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello is a classic example. The standard malevolent villain is particularly common in the fantasy genre, yet they appear in diverse stories. Here are 5 types of antagonists with examples and points to remember: 1. Characters who oppose your main character’s goals aren’t necessarily ‘bad’, yet they serve a primary function: Standing between another character and their destiny. Sometimes in a story a primary antagonist starts out as a close ally. ![]()
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