Meaning & use
the protagonist
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Meanings
nounsingular
The main character in a story, play, or film, who usually faces the central conflict.
Grammar: Usually takes 'the' because there is normally only one main character in a story: the protagonist of the novel.
Patterns
- the protagonist of something
- the protagonist in something
In the novel, the protagonist struggles to choose between duty and love.
The film follows the protagonist as she rebuilds her life after the war.
Students often compare the protagonist with the antagonist in their essays.
nounsingularformal
The most important or leading person in a real situation, event, or movement.
Grammar: Used more in formal writing, such as reports or news analysis, to mean a key figure.
Patterns
- the protagonist of something
She became the protagonist of the reform movement in the 1990s.
In this economic drama, small businesses are the protagonists, not the banks.
Word forms
| plural | protagonists |
|---|
Common combinations
- the protagonist of the novel
- The protagonist of the novel is a young teacher in a small town.
- the main protagonist
- Critics praised the main protagonist for being morally complex.
- play the protagonist
- In this film, the actor plays the protagonist with great subtlety.
- a tragic protagonist
- The tragic protagonist brings about his own downfall through pride.
Synonyms and how they differ
- hero
- Use 'hero' when the main character is admirable and brave; 'protagonist' is neutral and can describe someone flawed or even unlikeable.
- main character
- This is the everyday term; 'protagonist' is more formal and common in literary analysis.
- lead
- Use 'lead' especially for actors or performers who play the main role, not for the character in the story itself.
Opposites
Word family
- protagonism noun
- The state or role of being a leading figure; rare and formal.
Commonly confused: the protagonist or antagonist?
the protagonist vs antagonist
The antagonist opposes the protagonist; the protagonist is the main character, while the antagonist works against them.
Practice
In the play, the protagonist ______ with her own conscience before making a difficult choice.
Choose one answer.
'The protagonist' is singular, so the verb takes -s: 'struggles'. 'Struggle' would be correct with a plural subject like 'the protagonists'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “the protagonist”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.