An antagonist is a character, group of characters, or institution that represents the opposition against which the protagonist or protagonists must
contend. In other words, an antagonist is a person or a group of people who oppose the main characters. In the classic style of stories wherein the action
consists of a hero fighting a villainenemy, the two can be regarded as protagonist and antagonist, respectively. Of course, some narratives cast the villain the
protagonist role, with the opposing hero as the antagonist. The antagonist may also represent a major threat or obstacle to the main character by their very
existence, without necessarily deliberately targeting him or her. Sometimes, antagonists and protagonists may overlap, depending on what
their ultimate objectives are considered to be. Often, the protagonist in a narrative is also the same person as the focal character, though the two terms are distinct.
Excitement and intrigue alone is what the audience feels toward a focal character, while a sense of empathy about the characters objectives and emotions is what the
audience feels toward the protagonist. Although the protagonist is often referred to as the good guy, it is entirely possible for a storys protagonist to be the clear
villain, or antihero, of the piece.
2.1.2 Types of Characters
The essential function of character is to make the story in the novel meaningful. Therefore, characterization plays important role in giving the main or
peripheral character selected behaviour or typical of personality. In his book Aspect of the novel, E.M. Foster 1993 defines that there are two basic types of
characters, their qualities, functions, and importance for the development of the
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novel: flat characters and around characters. According to E.M Foster 1993 the definition about flat character describes below Foster’s most important
contribution to the aesthetic of the novel: the distinction between ‘flat’ and ‘round’ characters.
Foster 1993:47:54 says, “Flat characters are constructed round a single idea or quality and can be expressed in a single sentence; round characters are
multi-faceted and unpredictable. For foster, the test of a round character is whether it is capable of surprising in a convincing way both flat and round
characters can coexist in the some novel. Flat characters have advantage of being easily recognized and convenient for their creators .“
Round Characters is a major character in a work of fiction whos encounters
conflict and is changed by it. Round characters tend to be more fully developed and described than flat, or static, characters. If you think of the characters you
most love in fiction, they probably seem as real to you as people you know in real life. This is a good sign that they are round characters. A writer employs a number
of tools or elements to develop a character, making him or her round, including description and dialogue. A characters responses to conflict and his or her internal
dialogue are also revelatory. Flat Characters is a minor character in a work of fiction who does not
undergo substantial change or growth in the course of a story. Also referred to as two-dimensional characters or static characters flat characters play a
supporting role to the main character, who as a rule should be round. To the degree that the stock characters have many common traits, they are representative
of their class, or group. Such characters, with variations in names, ages, and sexes, have been constant in literature since the ancient Greeks. Some regular stock
characters are insensitive father, the interfering mother, the sassy younger brother
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or sister, the greedy politician, the resourceful cowboy or detective, the overbearing or henpecked husband, the submissive or nagging wife, and the angry
police captain.
2.2 Plot
