What is an antagonist?

An antagonist is defined as a character or force that opposes the protagonist, the main character of a story. In literature, the role of the antagonist is to create conflict, driving the narrative forward and challenging the protagonist’s goals. This opposition can take various forms, such as another character with conflicting desires, a group or society, or even an internal struggle within the protagonist.

The antagonist's presence is essential to the development of the plot, as it often forces the protagonist to evolve, face challenges, and ultimately grow. It can heighten the stakes of the story and engage the audience by providing tension and suspense, making the resolution more satisfying.

While a character who helps the protagonist would be classified as a supporting character or ally, and the main character is specifically referred to as the protagonist, the term 'comic relief' relates to characters that add humor to the story, typically lightening the mood during tense moments. All of these roles serve significant purposes in storytelling, but the definition of an antagonist is specifically tied to opposition against the protagonist.