## Character roles and qualities

Let’s get into the definitions

Protagonist

You probably are familiar with the concept of the protagonist, for most of us: this is the main character, the star of the show. Most of the action centers around them, and they’re the one we’re meant to care about the most. Every single story has to have a protagonist, no matter what. Simply put, no protagonist = no story. Remember, all other roles are defined in relation to the protagonist, when you’re planning a story, this should be the very first character you flesh out.

Protagonist examples: Harry Potter, Frodo Baggins, Katniss Everdeen, John McClane, Indiana Jones, Walter White

Antagonist

If you’re an antagonist, you antagonize and more specifically, you undermine, battle, or otherwise oppose one character: the protagonist.

Most of the time, the protagonist is good and the antagonist is evil, and this often is the source of their conflict. However, sometimes this isn’t the case, especially if the protagonist is an anti-hero. Antagonists usually play just as important a role in a story as their protagonist counterparts, but they may not be seen as much. They tend not to narrate stories and often operate in secret.

Antagonist examples: Sauron, Voldemort, The White Witch, Count Olaf, Maleficent, Darth Vader

Deuteragonist

Most stories have on main character, the protagonist, and a side character , or deuteragonist (or group of side characters). This is the character who’s not exactly in the spotlight, but pretty close to it.

The deuteragonist’s comic book equivalent would probably be the sidekick. They’re often seen in the company of the protagonist — giving advice, plotting against their rivals, and generally lending a helping hand. Their presence and close relationship to the protagonist gives the story warmth and heart. Some side characters are arch-enemies — but even these less-friendly deuteragonists still provide depth to a story.

Deuteragonist examples: Ron and Hermione, Samwise Gamgee, Jane Bennet, Dr. Watson,

Dynamic character

A dynamic character is one who changes over the course of the story. They often evolve to become better or wiser, but sometimes they can devolve as well — many villains are made through a shift from good to evil, like Anakin Skywalker and Harvey Dent. The protagonist of your story should always be dynamic, and most of the deuteragonists should be as well.

Dynamic examples: Elizabeth Bennet, Don Quixote,Neville Longbottom, Han Solo, Walter White

Static character

The static character — the one who doesn’t change.Many static characters are simpel and flat.These static figures tend to be unlikable, such as Cinderella’s stepsisters and Harry Potter’s aunt and uncle — their ignorance to how they’re mistreating our hero makes them people we “love to hate,” and boosts our sympathy for the protagonist. They may also impart a lesson to the reader: you don’t want to end up like me.

Static examples: Mr Collins, Miss Havisham, Harry and Zinnia Wormwood (Matilda’s parents), Sherlock Holmes (a rare static protagonist), Karen Smith

Round character

A round character is very similar to a dynamic one, in that they both typically change througouth their character arc. The round character has a full backstory (though not always revealed in the narrative), complex emotions, and realistic problems and motivations This doesn’t necessarily mean they’re a good person — indeed, many of the best round characters are deeply flawed. But you should still be interested and excited to follow their arc because you can never be quite sure where they’ll be led or how they’ll change. Needless to say, the vast majority of great protagonists are not only dynamic, but also round.

Round examples: Amy Dunne, Atticus Finch, Humbert Humbert, Randle McMurphy, Michael Corleone

Flat character

Flat characters are two-dimensional in that they are relatively uncomplicated and do not change throughout the course of a work. By contrast, round characters are complex and undergo development, sometimes sufficiently to surprise the reader.