Tags:
  1. Holo

    Holo New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2011
    Messages:
    112
    Likes Received:
    0

    Developing the antagonist

    Discussion in 'Character Development' started by Holo, Feb 14, 2012.

    I'm having a lot of trouble with my antagonist. Can someone give me pointers on how you develop your antagonist? What points of the antagonist do you focus on the most and where do you get your inspiration for your antagonist?
     
  2. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2007
    Messages:
    36,161
    Likes Received:
    2,827
    Location:
    Massachusetts, USA
    Why is the antagonist a particular problem? It's just another character, whose goals or motivation are in opposition to those of your protagonist.

    Just another character.
     
  3. cruciFICTION

    cruciFICTION Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    May 18, 2011
    Messages:
    1,232
    Likes Received:
    50
    Location:
    Brisbane, Australia
    Fix'd.

    Agree with Cogito, though. Develop them the same way as everyone else. Just make sure they're providing their obligatory opposing force (most of the time if not all of the time - those times when they agree with the protag are pretty cool).
     
  4. jazzabel

    jazzabel Agent Provocateur Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2012
    Messages:
    4,255
    Likes Received:
    1,688
    I base my antagonists (or at least the villains) personality on the psychopaths. If you google the term, you should come up with quite a few resources, lists of character traits etc.
    Once you have a better idea of what type of a psychopath you are basing them on, dress them up in whatever character suits your story.
    The thing with psychopaths is, one in 25 people are it, they inhabit all sorts of jobs and social positions, any position of power or influence is especially interesting to them, but they can be anyone.
    And good luck with writing!
     
  5. Acanthophis

    Acanthophis ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) Contributor

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2011
    Messages:
    606
    Likes Received:
    340
    Location:
    Canada
    Most of my antagonists want the same goal as the protagonists. But it's a matter of "do the means justify the end?" They aren't any harder to develop than a protagonist. If you know what your protagonist is doing, then it shouldn't be hard to think of what the antagonist is doing.
     
  6. Stepko

    Stepko New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2012
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    You don't need to make him bad. Just give him different motivation than your MC. And when motives clash, he will be antagonist.
     
  7. Show

    Show Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2008
    Messages:
    1,493
    Likes Received:
    35
    My antagonists typically develop themselves. I've had antagonists characterized by revenge, blackmail, a shallow spoiledness, anger, an accident, and even one of the most twisted worldviews I've seen on the printed page. lol The antagonist should be kinda fun to write.
     
  8. TheTranskinator

    TheTranskinator New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2011
    Messages:
    28
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    ...not sure...it's dark and I hear laughing... aww
    My antagonist is actually an overall decent guy who's desire for self-preservation led to an untimely "betrayal" of sorts. The antagonist can be whoever you want him to be. He just has to oppose the protagonist at some point.

    I've found that if the antagonist has a personal connection with the protagonist the conflicts seem so much more interesting. That's just one of my many opinions though
     
  9. leke101

    leke101 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2010
    Messages:
    30
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    London
    The best antagonists are those who have weaknesses and strengths just as the protagonist. The antagonist should not less developed than protagonist. The only difference between your antagonist and protagonist should be the conflict between them. The best antagonists are also ones who really push the protagonist to his/her limits. For example The Joker from the The Dark Knight really pushed Batman to his breaking point and made him even consider how far he would go in killing a criminal. Now that is a powerful antagonist-one who can get under the skin of the hero.
     
  10. Erato

    Erato New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2012
    Messages:
    293
    Likes Received:
    9
    Location:
    A place called home
    It depends on the interests of the main character and on the nature of the book; it's true that they aren't necessarily evil. There are the conflicting-motives antagonists. There are the out-to-kill-the-MC antagonists. There are the take-over-the-world antagonists. There are the I-want-what-you-want-and-I'm-going-to-get-it antagonists. There are the good antagonists who are fighting the MC because they believe the MC is evil. And more that I can't come up with.
     
  11. TheWritingWriter

    TheWritingWriter New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2011
    Messages:
    106
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    A little to the left
    Just treat him like a regular character. Antagonist is just a literary term. He's still, at the root of it all, just a character.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice