Pitch Dictionary by pitch.dog
Character functions & dramatic roles · Core

Antagonist

Also called: opposing force

ELI5

The person, group or force most directly opposing the main character.

Used in conversation

“The antagonist is frightening, but we still need to understand what they want.”

Definition

The character or force that creates the primary opposition to the protagonist's objective.

Here “Antagonist” means: The character or force that creates the primary opposition to the protagonist's objective. Other meanings are stored as separate sense entries and must be chosen explicitly.

Pitch context

Use this when a deck or treatment needs to describe the people, world, tone or audience promise precisely.

Why it matters: Helps describe how a story works on the page and how its dramatic parts fit together.

Connected terms

  • VillainAn antagonist opposes the protagonist’s objective; a villain is morally framed as malign. An antagonist need not be villainous.
  • Antagonistic forceAn antagonist is usually an opposing character; an antagonistic force can be a person, institution, environment or inner condition.
Sources & evidence · 6

Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.