Deuteragonist | Creative Writing, Definition & Examples
A deuteragonist is the second most important character in a story, after the protagonist. The term is primarily used in literature, theater, and film to describe a character who plays a major role in the narrative but is not the central character.
A deuteragonist is often the protagonist’s closest companion, such as a friend, love interest, mentor, or sidekick. However, they can also be a rival or even an opposing character, depending on how the story is structured.
- Samwise Gamgee is often considered the deuteragonist in The Lord of the Rings because of his central role in Frodo’s journey.
- In Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson serves as a deuteragonist and often narrates Holmes’s adventures.
- Princess Leia is one of the deuteragonists in Star Wars
The word deuteragonist comes from the Ancient Greek deuteragōnistēs, meaning “second actor.” The term originated in Greek drama, where the introduction of a second actor allowed playwrights to create more complex interactions between characters.
Key takeaways
- A deuteragonist is the second most important character in a story, after the protagonist.
- Deuteragonists often have their own goals, character arcs, and conflicts that can significantly influence the plot.
- They can take many forms, including a friend, love interest, mentor, rival, or opposing character.
- Understanding the role of a deuteragonist can help you better analyze character relationships and story structure.
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What is a deuteragonist?
A deuteragonist is the second most important character in a story, right after the protagonist. They usually have a significant influence on the plot and may have their own character arc, relationships, motivations, and conflicts.
The deuteragonist often works closely with the protagonist. They might be the protagonist’s best friend or a love interest, and influence the storyline from that role.
- Independent character arc: They have their own goals, motivations, and growth that happen alongside the protagonist.
- Independent choices: They make choices that drive the story forward instead of just reacting to the main character.
- Contrast: Their personality and beliefs contrast with the protagonist to deepen the story.
- Potential: They are well-developed enough that they could theoretically have their own spin-off story.
A deuteragonist can also have goals that conflict with the protagonist. In some stories, the second-most-important character may even oppose the protagonist for part or all of the narrative.
- Mr. Darcy in the novel Pride and Prejudice.
- Robin in the franchise Batman.
- Jem Finch in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird.
- Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter novels and movies.
- Han Solo in the Star Wars series.
The word deuteragonist originates from the Ancient Greek deuteragōnistēs. This means “second actor.” It was used in Greek dramas, where second actors allowed playwrights to create more complexity in the storyline.
Related terms
Each character in a book, play, or movie has a function within the story. While there can be nuances and different interpretations of these roles, most characters fall into a few main categories.
Some of these terms have been used in literary studies, while others have emerged more recently in writing communities and online spaces. Not all of these terms are formal or universally recognized literary classifications.
| Protagonist | The central character of a story. |
| Deuteragonist | The second most important character in a story. |
| Tritagonist | The third most important character in a story. |
| Tetartagonist | The fourth most-important character in a story. |
| Antagonist | A character who opposes the protagonist and their goals. |
| Contagonist | A character who hinders or tempts the protagonist away from achieving their goals. |
Frequently asked questions about deuteragonists
- What is the difference between a protagonist and a deuteragonist?
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The protagonist is the central character of a story, while the deuteragonist is the second most important character.
The protagonist usually drives the main plot and faces the central conflict. The deuteragonist often supports or challenges the protagonist.
A deuteragonist can have their own goals and character arc, but they generally have less narrative importance than the protagonist.
Ask Quillbot’s AI Chat for examples of the protagonist and deuteragonist in your favorite book or movie.
- What are examples of deuteragonists?
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There are many examples of deuteragonists. Some well-known characters are:
- Peeta Mellark in The Hunger Games novels and movies
- Dr. Ian Malcolm in the Jurrasic Park movies
- Fiona in the Shrek movies
- Dory in the Nemo movies
- Dr. Watson in the Sherlock Holmes novels and movies
Looking for more examples? Ask Quillbot’s AI Chat to “generate a list of 10 well-known deuteragonists.”
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