What is an antagonist in a literary work

In literature, an antagonist refers to a specific character in a work that confronts his protagonist. Roughly speaking, an antagonist is a villain, who builds intrigues and in every way harms the interests of the main character and goes to everything to achieve his complete annihilation.

Why is the antagonist more interesting than the protagonist

Often such a villain turns out to be the most interesting and vivid image in the work. After all, what is an antagonist? This is a man who was initially endowed with sophisticated intellect, able to think through all the moves, and enviable perseverance in bringing the conceived to the end.

The main positive hero (protagonist), as a rule, alas, can not boast of such abilities. According to the laws of the genre, he most of the plot is forced to simply endure the problems that have fallen on him and receive advice and help from good and faithful friends. After all, how then will the author be able to demonstrate their strong friendship and exceptional devotion?

How an antagonist works in a work

To better understand what an antagonist is, you need to understand the mandatory features that usually make up his image. In a good work the villain always has a specific goal - he can not fight the main character simply "out of love for art". His actions should be motivated (this makes them understandable to the reader) and planned.

By the way, in favor of the work will play a gradual increase in the aggression of the antagonist in relation to the main character, who happened to be on his way: first he tries to persuade, convince him, and only when it fails, he launches threats and other means of influence.

A positive hero against the background of the troubles that have fallen on him, as a rule, is getting stronger, gaining strength in the final of the work - he is already ready to engage in a fight with an initially unconquerable antagonist.

What is an antagonist for artistic prose

If we have a work that pretends to be thoughtful and deep, then the antagonist in it is an individuality, not a representative of the universal evil. He may well be an ordinary person whose interests simply contradict the interests of the protagonist.

Many works, incidentally, won just at the expense of a colorful villain. Therefore, it is very important for the author to realize what an antagonist is for a literary work, and diligently write out his image.