Protagonista

Protagonista is the main character in a narrative work, such as a novel, film, play, or game. The protagonista drives the central plot and typically undergoes the principal arc of conflict and change. In Spanish-language usage, the term corresponds to the English word protagonist and can refer to any gender; gender is indicated by the article (el protagonista, la protagonista), while the noun itself remains protagonista.

A protagonista is usually the character whose goals propel events, who faces obstacles, and who experiences growth or loss. The protagonist is not necessarily a hero; they may be flawed, morally complex, or even an anti-hero. Narrative perspective often centers on the protagonista, whether through first-person narration or a limited or omniscient third-person point of view, but some works reveal the protagonist through other characters or an neutral narrator.

Not all narratives rely on a single protagonista. Some stories feature multiple protagonists or an ensemble cast whose stories intersect. In such cases, the plot may follow several arcs or alternate viewpoints while maintaining a central focus. The protagonist is typically contrasted with the antagonista, the character or force that opposes or creates conflict for the protagonist, and with supporting characters who influence the protagonist’s development.

Etymology traces the term to Greek protagōnistes “leading actor,” from proteros “first” and agon “contest,” passing through Latin and French before entering Spanish. The concept is widely used across literature, cinema, theater, comics, and interactive media.