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Protagonist Vs Antagonist Vs Deuteragonist

What do those labels mean and how can they be used in my story?

If you've looked online and done some research for your writing (whether it was just for how to outline a plot or give characters depth), you've probably come across these terms referring to the characters in your story.

The Protagonist is the main or one of the major characters (AKA your MC). They are the one making the big decisions that impact the story line and the story is generally about them. Examples of this include Harry Potter (HP Franchise) and Greg Heffley (Diary of a Wimpy Kid).

The Antagonist. This character is the "opposing force" to your protagonist. They are their foe and generally their role is to create problems for your character to deal with. These situations add growth and development to your protagonist's arc. Examples of an Antagonist incluse Darth Vader (Star Wars) and alors Voldemort (Once again, Harry Potter).

So now that we've covered both the main character and their "mortal enemy" or "foe," what's left?

The Deuteragonist. This character is second to your MC. They can be a sidekick, a love interest, or their best friend. A good example of this could be Ron Weasley from Harry Potter, or Princess Zelda from The Legend of Zelda. They have a close relationship to the main character but are just ranked below them in importance of the story.

There are many more roles and character types but these are the three main ones used in all forms of media!