Hovedpersoner

Hovedpersoner are the central figures in a narrative, around whom the plot revolves. They are typically the characters whose goals, decisions, and experiences drive the action and shape the story’s progression. The term can apply to a single character or to a small group of primary figures.

The narrator and the perspective often align with the hovedpersoner, with the reader or viewer gaining insight into their thoughts and motives. A hovedperson may be a protagonist—the character who actively advances the plot—or, in some cases, the story centers on a main character who is not the traditional protagonist. Main characters can be heroic, flawed, or morally complex, and their development through a character arc—from beginnings to change or realization—is a common feature.

Relationships and conflicts involving the hovedpersoner are essential to narrative structure. They confront problems, face choices, and encounter antagonistic forces; their responses reveal themes and drive tension. Authors may use point of view, flashbacks, or internal monologue to illuminate the hovedperson’s inner life, or rely on external action to show growth.

In different media, the portrayal of hovedpersoner adapts to form. In novels, time and inner life can be explored at length; in film and television, visual storytelling and performance convey character over shorter time frames, often with ensemble casts where multiple hovedpersoner share the narrative focus.