Protagonist is the Main Central Character in the Story, Understand the Difference with Antagonist

Kapanlagi.com - For those of you who enjoy watching movies, dramas, or reading fiction stories, you must be familiar with the term protagonist. The term protagonist is often given to characters who have good characteristics in the story. In addition, the protagonist is the main character who is the focus because their life is full of conflicts. The existence of the protagonist character with the conflicts they experience is what makes the story's plot interesting to follow.

As we know, characters and characterization are important elements in a story. Moreover, characters are part of the intrinsic elements. In general, the protagonist is the character who drives the story. In addition, the existence of the protagonist character is often associated with the antagonist character.

The protagonist is a figure often referred to as the controller in the story. What does it mean? Summarized from various sources, here is the explanation.

1. Getting to Know Characters and Characterization

(credit: freepik)

As mentioned earlier, in a story, characters and characterization are very important elements. Characters are an intrinsic part that brings the story to life. A story, whether it is a short story, novel, film, or drama, can be enjoyed because of the characters that are portrayed.

Furthermore, some experts also explain what is meant by characters and characterization. Here are some explanations of characters and characterization from these experts.

1. Aminudin
Aminudin (2002) believes that the main character is a figure who is always present in every event in the story. This means that in a novel, the main character can be found on every page. In other words, the main character is a character who dominates a story.

2. Sudjiman
Sudjiman (1988) explains that characterization tends to discuss the author's thought process in determining or choosing characters in a story. After the characters are determined, then the names of each character will be determined according to the characterization that has been established.

In addition, Sudjiman also mentions that from its function, characters can be divided into two parts, namely central characters and subordinate characters. Meanwhile, the protagonist is a character who plays a role as the leader of the story's plot.

3. According to Dewojati
Dewojati (2010) reveals that the element of character in a drama is commonly referred to as characterization. Generally, characterization is an element that actively drives the plot. In addition, through characterization, the author can also explain the logical reasons behind a character's behavior.

4. Santosa,
Santosa et al. (2008) defined characterization as a way to distinguish one role from another. The differences in roles are expected to help the audience or readers identify the characters. This way, the audience or readers will find it easier to understand the emotions of the characters.

5. Nurgiyantoro
Nurgiyantoro (2000) explains that characters in a story can be interpreted as individuals or a group of people who express themselves through speech and actions.

In addition, Nurgiyantoro also divides characters into two categories: main characters and supporting characters. Main characters are prioritized in a story, while supporting characters are often known as auxiliary characters. These characters are responsible for assisting the main characters in advancing the plot of the story.

2. Understanding the Protagonist Character

(credit: freepik)

After getting to know characters and characterization, it is important to also understand what a protagonist character is. Because the protagonist character is an important part of the characters and characterization in a story. Without a protagonist character, a story cannot progress.

The word protagonist comes from the Greek word "protagonists". In Indonesian, the word means the main character in a book, film, video game, or theater. Meanwhile, in the Indonesian Dictionary, the definition of protagonist is the main character in a fictional story.

The protagonist character is an important figure in the story. The presence of the protagonist character is useful for bringing the story to life. The life of the protagonist character and the conflicts experienced are the main parts of the story. As a figure who experiences conflicts, the protagonist character also plays a role in finding solutions or resolutions to the conflicts and the story presented.
That is why the protagonist character is a central figure who has a significant influence and role in a story.

3. Getting to Know the Antagonist Character

Besides the protagonist character, in a story we also often encounter the presence of an antagonist character. The protagonist and antagonist characters have an inseparable relationship. If the protagonist is the main or central figure of the story, then the antagonist character is a complementary figure in the story.

Although being a complement, the presence of an antagonist character is equally important as the protagonist character. This is because the antagonist character also plays a role in enlivening the plot of the story. In a story, the antagonist character becomes the figure that triggers the conflict experienced by the protagonist character. Therefore, the presence of an antagonist character will also make a story more lively and interesting.

Those are some reviews about the protagonist character as the main or central character in a story. Hopefully, it is useful and can increase knowledge.

(kpl/psp)