In literature, an antagonist is a specific character of a work that opposes his main character. Roughly speaking, an antagonist is a villain who intrigues and does everything possible to harm the interests of the main character and goes to great lengths to achieve its complete destruction.
Why is an antagonist more interesting than a protagonist
Often it is just such a villain that turns out to be the most interesting and vivid way in a work. After all, what is an antagonist? This is a man, originally endowed with a sophisticated intellect, able to think through all the moves, and an enviable persistence in bringing the plan to the end.
The main positive character (protagonist), as a rule, alas, cannot boast of such abilities. According to the laws of the genre, he is forced to endure most of the plot simply to endure the problems that have fallen on him and to receive advice and help from good and faithful friends. After all, how then can the author demonstrate their strong friendship and exceptional devotion?
How does the antagonist in the work
To better understand what an antagonist is, you need to deal with the essential features that usually make up his image. In a good work, the villain always has a specific goal - he cannot fight the main character simply “out of love of art”. His actions should be motivated (this makes them clear to the reader) and planned.
By the way, the antagonist’s gradual increase in aggression against the main character who accidentally finds himself in his way will also play a role in the work: first he tries to persuade, convince him, and only when this fails, he uses threats and other means of influence.
A positive hero against the background of the troubles that have fallen on him, as a rule, grows stronger, gains strength in the finale of the work - he is already ready to engage in battle with the seemingly invincible antagonist at first.
What is an antagonist for fiction
If we have before us a work that claims to thoughtfulness and depth, then the antagonist in it is an individuality, and not a representative of universal evil. He may well be an ordinary person whose interests simply contradict the interests of the protagonist.
By the way, many works won just due to the colorful villain. Therefore, it is very important for the author to realize what an antagonist is for a literary work, and carefully write out his image.