A great story is one where the readers are able to fully immerse themselves in the book. And how is this possible? It is possible only when they connect with the characters. Characters in the story and the plot are both intertwined with each other; they are inseparable. To fully comprehend the significance of the story’s events, readers must have a thorough understanding of the characters, including their identities and motivations. This is why we need to make sure that the main characters especially the protagonists and antagonists, in particular, are developed to perfection. Let us now explore how we can achieve this level of character development.
Protagonists: The Heroes We Root For
Protagonists are the main characters in a story who are portrayed as good people—heroes or heroines. They tend to have good qualities and traits that the readers get attached to. Due to their charm and good values, the readers, more often than not, want them to emerge victorious at the end of the conflict. There are a few aspects to consider while developing our protagonists.
Multi-dimensional protagonists effectively resonate with readers. Human beings are complex creatures with multiple layers to them. Replicating human features and characteristics makes the heroes more relatable. To make the character as human as possible, adding imperfections to their character is the trick. They create internal conflicts allowing the readers to empathise with them.
Just like how the plot has an endgame, the characters too should. There should be a particular goal that the character works towards. Each of their actions must be driven by this goal. Readers form an emotional attachment when they are able to understand the reasoning behind their decisions.
Perfection is a close to unattainable ideal that not only applies to real-life people but also to the characters in your book. Imperfect characters are more relatable to the audience and what is more intriguing is their will and determination to grow and transform into a better being. Character development as the story progresses is a very essential aspect when it comes to crafting your protagonists. When they make mistakes and learn from them, it makes for an interesting plot.
Antagonists: The Source of Conflict
Antagonists are equally important as the protagonists. They are the ones who create obstacles and major conflicts. We often see a major stand-off between the hero and villain that propels the story. A well-thought-out and developed antagonist will aid in creating a unique narrative. Similar to protagonists, antagonists have a few criteria to be met in order to make them well-developed.
Similar to protagonists, antagonists also require depth and complexity to enhance the authenticity of their characters. Nuanced antagonists have layers of emotions, motivations, fears and distinct features that make them grab the audience’s attention. In most cases, antagonists tend to falter in their attempts to hinder the protagonist’s progress towards their goal. Their deeper fears and vulnerabilities often contribute to their ultimate downfall. A great way to add complexity to the antagonists is by giving them a tragic flaw. This one particular trait such as ego, pride, jealousy, etc., that leads to a tragic end.
It is not necessary to make the villain someone who is all brawn and no brain. On the contrary, intelligent antagonists pique the audience’s interest. For example, if you are writing detective fiction, then your culprit must be an intelligent one. For instance, in the realm of detective fiction, a cunning culprit becomes essential. If the antagonist is easily apprehended, the chance to craft a captivating narrative diminishes. Antagonists, too, can undergo significant character development, enabling readers to analyse and establish a sense of connection with them.
Morally ambiguous antagonists make an interesting story. Some antagonists, when portrayed in a positive or sympathetic light, give room for the reader to intellectually invest themselves in the book. The readers start forming opinions and anxiously read on to find out the plight of the antagonists.
For example, in the Indian epic, Mahabharata, Duryodhana is almost always portrayed as the villain. This is a mainstream narrative and when a retelling of Mahabharata was done by Bhasa, a playwright, it brought a fresh perspective to the story. As an author, using this technique allows you to offer a compelling narrative.
The Relationship Between Protagonists and Antagonists
Protagonists and antagonists are the main characters in any story and the interaction between them is something that guides the storyline. The story’s structure and emotional resonance rest on the relationship between these characters.
Storytelling is a nuanced process. It requires a lot of planning and if done diligently, the author can bring to life characters and scenarios that are as close to reality as possible. Hence, authors must master the art of character development, giving special emphasis to the protagonists and antagonists to create a memorable story.