Elements Of Literature : Character
Presentation and Information by: Megan, Ethan K,
Ethan M, Keith, Kristy, and Mark
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist: is the main character of the story , he/she can be a hero or a
leading actor. The story follows the protagonist. Usually the protagonist is the
person in the story who saves the day. In most cases the protagonist is the
main character. The protagonist can either be good, bad or even both.
Antagonist: is usually against the protagonist. He/ she can be a supervillain,
a bad guy, or someone who is against the main characters ideas or events that
take place in the story.
Protagonist and Antagonist
A protagonist and antagonist can be in any story even
stories where there is no clear bad guy/ good guy.
Sometimes, it can be harder to tell who is who. In some
stories, the antagonist can be a crowd of people.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Examples;
Movie: Spiderman
P/A
WHO
WHY
Protagonist
Spiderman
-Main character
-Story follows him
-Plot revolves around him
-Saves other from the
antagonist
Antagonist
Green Goblin
-Went against the main
character (protagonist)
-Tried to “take down” Spiderman
In Phineas and Ferb : who is the
Protagonist ?
&
Antagonist ?
Flat Character
Flat Character: A flat character is a minor character in a
story, who doesn't go through 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.
Example: Lord Capulet and Balthazar from Romeo and
Juliet, Voldemort from Harry Potter, and the Dwarfs in the
Hobbit
Who is the Flat Character?
In the Lion King
Round Characters:
Round Characters: A round character is the
main character that they appear in. The round
character is the one that tends to have more
character development more so than flat
characters because round character more of
the major character in the story. Ex Homer
Simpson
Who is the round character ?
In the Lion King
Dynamic Characters
Dynamic Characters: A dynamic, or round, character is a major character in a
work of fiction who encounters conflict and is changed by it. Dynamic
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.
For example
Edwards family and Edward in Twilight are
dynamic characters because they develop
throughout the movie.
Direct characterization:
-Direct characterization is how an author tells
his, or her reader about a character. Using
direct statements about a character’s
personality and what they’re like.
Direct characterization
The process by which the personality of a
fictional character is revealed by the use of
descriptive adjectives, phrases, and epithets.
Its also good for displaying the characters want,
fears, and what they love or hate.
Indirect
Indirect characterization: Information about a character
and their personality that is revealed through that character’
s thoughts, words and actions, along with how other
characters respond to that character, including what they
say and think about them.
Static characters:
Static characters: A dramatic character that
undergoes little to no inner change; a character
that doesn’t grow or develop. Minor characters.
Example: Milhouse from “The Simpsons”
mark is a pussy
Examples:
Karen is bright energetic and helpful.
the writer uses adjectives to describe Karen’s
personality.
Joe was motivated by money. He had no use
for love or family.
This sentence states the character of Joe, by
telling us what motivates him; money.
Answers;
Protagonist : Phineas and Ferb
Antagonist : Candice
Flat character : Zazu the bird
Round character: Simba