I'm not sure who wrote this quote but it's one of my favorite thoughts when it comes to villains or antagonists.
The villain is the hero of his own story.
Another great quote is from Chritopher Paolini in their book Eldest
No one thinks of himself as a villain...
What's the reason that I love these quotes when it comes to crafting antagonists? Because it reminds you that often a villain can be anyone in the wrong or right situation. They also need to be as fleshed out as your main character. The worst thing you can have is a antagonist that isn't a match for your hero.
What is the difference between an antagonist and a villain?
Antagonist:
A character or force that actively works against the protagonist or main character, creating obstacles and challenges for them to overcome.
Can be an individual, institution, or even an environmental factor (e.g. natural disaster).
Does not necessarily imply moral evil or wickedness.
Villian:
A character
typically, is a foil to the protagonist, with the primary goal of causing harm or destruction
Key differences:
Motivation: Antagonists may have complex motivations, while villains are driven by desire for destruction or domination.
A well-developed antagonist is crucial
They provide:
tension
conflict
keep readers engaged
push the protagonist to grow and evolve.
A strong antagonist
It isn't just an obstacle; they are fully realized they are complex and create an opposition feel personal and compelling rather than arbitrary.
Antagonists also enhance the theme of your story and add to the stakes. They can reveal the protagonist's vulnerabilities, force difficult choices, and heighten the emotional depth of the narrative.
How do antagonists drive conflict, build suspense, and shape the protagonist's growth?
Drive the Conflict.
They create opposition by challenging the goals, beliefs, or values, of the main character. They can block the protagonist's path, take actions that jeopardize what the main character holds dear. They bring tension that pushes the story forward. The conflict doesn't have to be physical; it can be ideological, emotional, or psychological. By consistently posing obstacles, they can make the journey more complex and worth the victory in the end. Always ask yourself what your antagonist can do now that will suck for your protagonist.
Add Suspense
They should keep your readers guessing. Unpredictable actions, morally ambiguous, and introduce uncertainty, make your readers ask what will happen next. This unpredictability can create a sense of danger, anticipation, and a deeper story. Often, I have the antagonist do something at the end of a chapter leaving a cliff hanger to encourage the reader to say WTF and turn to the next chapter.
Pushing your protagonist
They should force your main character to confront fears, make undesirable and stupid decisions, or sacrifice something meaningful. You want them to challenge your protagonists' beliefs, forcing them to adapt and learn from the previous battles with the antagonist. They should be instrumental in your main character finding resilience, learning important lessons, and evolving into the best versions of themselves.
How to build a strong antagonist.
As we've discussed they have a major job in your story. It's important that you know them as well or even better than your main character. Here are some key characteristics that can make them memorable.
Identify what kind of antagonist they are.
Villain: A character with evil intentions, seeking to destroy the protagonist. Examples include Capricorn (Inkheart series), Caul (Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children series), and Lord Voldemort (Harry Potter series).
Conflict Creator: A character whose goals directly conflict with the protagonist’s, but may not be inherently evil. Examples include Veruca Salt (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and Nurse Ratched (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest).
Inanimate Force: A non-human power or element that opposes the protagonist. Examples include Illness (A Sick Day for Amos McGee), Reverse Aging (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), and Slavery (Beloved).
Protagonist’s Own Insecurities: The protagonist’s internal conflicts and insecurities can create an antagonistic force within themselves. Example: Max (Where the Wild Things Are) struggles with his own behavior.
Ally-Antagonist: A character who initially appears as an ally but later becomes an antagonist. This type adds shades of grey to the “good vs. evil” dichotomy.
Tyrant: A character who exercises oppressive power over others, serving as a primary antagonist.
Natural Force: A natural phenomenon or environment that poses a threat to the protagonist, such as a treacherous mountain range (survival story).
Overarching Antagonist: A central antagonist that drives the overall plot and is responsible for the main conflict.
Major Antagonist: An important villain that opposes the protagonists, causing significant events and difficulties.
Secondary Antagonist: A villain that plays a relatively useful role, but is not as central to the plot as a major antagonist.
Minor Antagonist: A villain with a minor role, often serving as a distraction rather than a significant threat.
Clear Motivations
They have clear, understandable motivation that drives their actions. They have reasons--often rooted in their past experiences, values, or desires. If a natural force or inanimate force you need to know how that force will challenge your character.
Example: In Black Panther, Killmonger’s motivations stem from personal loss, a desire for justice, and a need to address historical oppression. His grievances and background make his radical actions feel grounded in a desire for change, which makes him a sympathetic, layered antagonist.
Personal Stakes
They should have personal stakes tied to the conflict, even an illness has its own needs and wants. This adds depth, making the actions feel necessary. They or it should feel deeply invested in the outcome.
Example: In The Dark Knight, the Joker’s actions are rooted in his chaotic worldview, aiming to prove that anyone, even Gotham’s hero Batman, could be brought to his level of moral corruption. The Joker’s personal philosophy—and the stakes he places on proving his point—create an intense, philosophical clash with Batman.
Moral Ambiguity
Think back to some of the most memorable antagonists. They are often morally complex, blurring the line between good and bad. Using questionable methods, or truly believing they are in the right, can allow readers to empathize with them on some level.
Example: In Les Misérables, Inspector Javert is not inherently evil, but his rigid dedication to the law makes him relentless in his pursuit of Valjean. Javert’s belief in the law as an absolute force drives him, yet his inner conflict over Valjean’s humanity adds a tragic layer to his character.
Charismatic or have a unique presence.
I had a brother-in-law who was so charismatic that I often questioned the intelligence of his girlfriends. As a table-top-role-play-gamer I always said he must have rolled high on his charisma stat. Having them capture your readers attention is a great tool. This could be achieved through the character's intelligence, confidence, or even charm. Leaving a lasting impression, whether through a unique personality, powerful voice, or distinctive look.
Example: Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs is unforgettable for his combination of intelligence, charm, and menace. His charisma contrasts with his brutality, making him as fascinating as he is terrifying.
Reflective of the protagonist
They can embody traits, goals, or beliefs that contrast or parallel the hero's. Reflecting something about the protagonist's character or force them to confront aspects of themselves that they would avoid otherwise.
Example: In Harry Potter, Voldemort and Harry share many similarities, from their backgrounds to their abilities. Voldemort’s choices and ambition, however, represent the dark path Harry could have taken under different circumstances, deepening their rivalry.
Growth or change
Just like your hero they can experience growth or change. They could become more ruthless, begin to doubt themselves, or have a breakdown, having them develop over the course of the story can add realism and depth.
Example: In Breaking Bad, Walter White starts as a protagonist but eventually becomes the antagonist as he descends into moral corruption. His transformation makes him both compelling and tragic, as audiences witness his gradual shift from well-intentioned to ruthless.
Next time we will delve into how to create realistic motivations, internal conflict and vulnerability, how they can challenge your hero, and tips to avoid antagonist tropes. I look forward to chatting with you all about making well-rounded antagonists.
Antagonists are the backbone of any compelling story, driving conflict, adding depth, and helping the protagonist grow. Without them, the protagonist’s journey would lack challenge, and the story itself would lack the tension that keeps readers turning pages. Antagonists are not merely obstacles; they’re fully developed characters with their own goals, stakes, and often, moral complexity.
One of my favorite quotes on this subject says it best: “The villain is the hero of his own story.” Similarly, Christopher Paolini in Eldest writes, “No one thinks of himself as a villain.” These quotes capture the essence of what makes an antagonist unforgettable—they don’t see themselves as wrongdoers but as champions of their own cause. This perspective reminds us that, in the right (or wrong) circumstances, anyone can become the antagonist in someone else’s story.
Creating a strong antagonist is about balance. They need to have depth and clarity of purpose, but they should also be formidable enough to challenge your hero. The antagonist should feel like a true match, pushing your protagonist to grow, adapt, and ultimately emerge as a changed person. Without a well-rounded antagonist, your story risks losing emotional weight and thematic richness.
In future posts, we’ll dive deeper into creating realistic motivations, crafting internal conflict and vulnerability, and exploring how to make antagonists who challenge your protagonist in meaningful ways. Stay tuned for more tips on how to develop the antagonists that will elevate your story to new heights.
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