protagonist

A protagonist is the central character around whom a narrative primarily revolves. The term comes from the Greek protagōnistes, meaning “the first actor” or “the lead actor” in a play, reflecting the character whose actions most shape the story. In many works, the protagonist’s goals, decisions, and growth drive the plot and determine the stakes.

In typical narratives, the protagonist faces obstacles, makes key choices, and undergoes some form of change or development, known as the character arc. The events of the story are usually structured to challenge the protagonist and to show how their choices affect themselves and others. An inciting incident often disrupts the status quo and motivates the pursuit of the central goal.

There is considerable variation in how protagonists are conceived. They may be a traditional “hero,” but they can also be morally complex, flawed, or even morally dubious—examples include anti-heroes or anti-villains. Some works feature multiple protagonists, or an ensemble cast in which several characters share the central focus. In some cases the protagonist is not the narrator or is not even a single character but a group or collective entity.

Protagonists are distinct from antagonists, who oppose them, and from narrators, who tell the story. A story’s point of view may be aligned with the protagonist or with another character or an external narrator, but the protagonist remains the character whose aims most closely drive the plot.