Writing - Characterizations, faults and strengths (was pro/antagonist) - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

littlemanpoet · 05-25-2002, 08:22 PM

Bilbo, Frodo, and Sam each are confronted with a moral choice regarding Gollum.

I think there are at least four different types of antagonist. Using LotR:
1) Sauron type - larger than life, behind the scenes mover that indirectly causes all the evil the protagonist has to deal with.
2) alter-ego type - Frodo's Gollum; someone who is very similar to the protagonist in many ways, but in one or two key aspects is qualitatively different - maybe made so by choice, but maybe made so by evil not of his/her choice.
3) Orc type - pawns of the larger than life type.
4) Ally who is not wholly trustworthy, for whatever reason - Boromir type.

There may be others.

Inner conflicts for a character arise from seemingly impossible choices with no alternatives. Or the good choice looks bad on the face of it, the evil choice looks good on the face of it. That's overly simple and a bit hackneyed. That's why I prefer the former to the latter.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Threaded Mode

05-25-2002, 08:22 PM	#10
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	Bilbo, Frodo, and Sam each are confronted with a moral choice regarding Gollum. I think there are at least four different types of antagonist. Using LotR: 1) Sauron type - larger than life, behind the scenes mover that indirectly causes all the evil the protagonist has to deal with. 2) alter-ego type - Frodo's Gollum; someone who is very similar to the protagonist in many ways, but in one or two key aspects is qualitatively different - maybe made so by choice, but maybe made so by evil not of his/her choice. 3) Orc type - pawns of the larger than life type. 4) Ally who is not wholly trustworthy, for whatever reason - Boromir type. There may be others. Inner conflicts for a character arise from seemingly impossible choices with no alternatives. Or the good choice looks bad on the face of it, the evil choice looks good on the face of it. That's overly simple and a bit hackneyed. That's why I prefer the former to the latter.