protagonist

Everyday

1. The main character in a story, play, film or game. tree →
2. A leading person in a real event, or a strong supporter of an idea or cause. tree →

In the lessons

In English lessons, pupils identify the protagonist (main character) and the antagonist (the character or force against them) when analysing stories. In news and history, the protagonists of a debate or conflict are the main people involved.

Examples

• Harry Potter is the protagonist of the books. tree →
• The protagonist has to overcome a problem by the end. tree →
• Who is the antagonist working against the protagonist? tree →
• In «Matilda», the protagonist is a clever girl who loves books. tree →
• Describe how the protagonist changes in the story. tree →
• She was a protagonist in the campaign for clean air. tree →

Note

Countable. Opposite: antagonist. Trap: the protagonist is not always good or a hero; sometimes the main character is a villain. From Greek: «first actor».