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

Antagonistic force

Also called: antagonist

ELI5

The person, institution, condition or inner conflict that most strongly opposes the main character's pursuit.

Used in conversation

“Can we make the antagonistic force clearer in the next draft?”

Definition

The person, institution, condition or inner conflict that most strongly opposes the protagonist's pursuit.

Here “Antagonistic force” means: The person, institution, condition or inner conflict that most strongly opposes the protagonist's pursuit. Other meanings are stored as separate sense entries and must be chosen explicitly.

Pitch context

Use this when explaining how the story works on the page or across the finished screen experience.

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

Connected terms

  • AntagonistAn antagonist is usually an opposing character; an antagonistic force can be a person, institution, environment or inner condition.
  • OppositionThe search label “Antagonistic force” can route to both entries.
Sources & evidence · 6

Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.