Antagonist: The Opposition to the Protagonist
Table of Contents
Antagonist in literature refers to a character or a group of characters that oppose the main character, known as the protagonist. The term derives from the Greek word "antagonistes," meaning "opponent," "competitor," or "rival." Typically, an antagonist is seen as the villain, pitted against the hero, in a struggle to either harm the protagonist or thwart their goals. Examples of Antagonist in Literature Example #1: Antigone (By Sophocles) In Sophocles' tragedy "Antigone," King Creon serves as the antagonist, obstructing Antigone's efforts to provide her brother with a proper burial. Creon's evil intentions and actions, such as branding her brother a traitor and decreeing that he should remain unburied, create a conflict with Antigone's determination to honor her brother. This conflict drives the central theme of the play. Example #2: Othello (By William Shakespeare) In Shakespeare's "Othello," Iago emerges as …