Protagonist vs. Antagonist: Beyond Heroes and Villains

 Protagonist vs. Antagonist 

Beyond Heroes and Villains

Photo by Alfredo Flores on Pexels

Greetings, I am the mighty Master Voluminous⎯⎯teacher, commentator and most importantly, to you, storyteller. Storytelling is a fascinating art form with endless possibilities, and today, I’d like to share an insight that’s shaped my approach:

Protagonist ≠ Hero, and Antagonist ≠ Villain

These terms are often misunderstood. Simply put, the protagonist is the main character in your story, the one pursuing a goal. The antagonist, on the other hand, is the character or force standing in their way. That’s it. Morality doesn’t always play a role here—and that’s where things get interesting.

A Real-World Example:

• Protagonist: A child who wants to stay up late and watch TV.
• Antagonist: A parent enforcing bedtime because it’s a school night.

In this scenario, the parent isn’t a villain—though the child might disagree—but they are an obstacle. This dynamic demonstrates that protagonist-antagonist relationships don’t always relate to good versus evil.

The Beauty of Moral Complexity

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels

Not every story is a black-and-white battle of good vs evil. Sometimes, it’s good vs good, where characters clash because of different perspectives or methods. Think of superheroes like Batman and Superman, who often find themselves at odds despite fighting for the same cause. Yes, I know they're best friends, even brothers, but they didn't start that way.

Man of Steel #3 - 1986

Then there’s evil vs worse, as seen in stories like Hannibal or Dexter. These narratives pit dark characters against even darker forces, creating a moral grey area that’s as captivating as it is thought-provoking.

Eltell, Christian Colby. “Who Is the Superior Serial Killer: Hannibal Lecter or Dexter Morgan?” Game Rant

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This complexity also gives rise to:

• Anti-heroes: Characters who do the right thing for the wrong reasons.
• Anti-villains: Characters who do the wrong thing for the “right” reasons.

Inverted Roles: Villain Protagonists and Heroic Antagonists

Sometimes, the roles are flipped. A prime example is A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood (2019). In this film, Lloyd Vogel, a journalist with a cynical outlook, is the protagonist. Meanwhile, Fred Rogers serves as the antagonist, challenging Lloyd to confront his emotional barriers and heal. It’s a beautiful subversion of the traditional dynamic.

Writing Darker Stories

For those of us who enjoy darker tales, this perspective is invaluable. Writing from the viewpoint of characters who might traditionally be seen as antagonists opens the door to more nuanced, layered storytelling. These characters might be deeply flawed, morally ambiguous, or outright monstrous—but they’re also compelling.

Itara (Soulless) by Gift C Enyadike Jr on Amazon

One important note: creating a protagonist who’s an awful person (or even a monster) doesn’t reflect on you as an author. It’s fiction, after all! However, when dealing with real-world history, tread carefully. Historical nuance and sensitivity are crucial, especially if your main character belongs to a group viewed negatively by history (e.g., Nazis). A certain level of tact is necessary to navigate these narratives responsibly.

Recommended Viewing: The Northman

If you’re interested in stories with morally complex characters, I highly recommend The Northman. This movie, set in mediaeval Scandinavia during the Viking era, is based on the legend of Amleth (the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Hamlet). None of the characters are what you’d call “good people,” but their journeys are undeniably compelling. 

Bonus: you’ll find similar themes in myths and legends from almost every culture!

Final Thoughts

By rethinking the roles of protagonist and antagonist, you can unlock richer, more layered storytelling possibilities. Whether you’re crafting a tale of heroes, villains, or somewhere in between, remember that your characters' complexity keeps readers hooked.

Do you have any favourite examples of morally grey protagonists or antagonists? 

Let’s chat in the comments!

Happy writing! 😊