To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. Antagonistic is a character trait that describes someone who is confrontational, hostile, or opposing towards others. An antagonistic character may intentionally cause conflict or act in a way that undermines the goals or desires of others. This trait can be found in both villains and heroes, as characters with an antagonistic nature may sometimes act as obstacles to the protagonist's goals, or they may be the protagonist themselves. It's important to note that an antagonistic character is not necessarily evil, but rather, they may have their own motivations or beliefs that clash with those of others.

Possible causes of being antagonistic

You might want to weave these into your character's back story to build a more believable character.

• A desire for power and control over others
• Learned behavior from role models or peers who exhibit similar traits
• Mental health disorders, such as narcissistic personality disorder or borderline personality disorder
• Genetic predisposition or biological factors
• Childhood experiences of neglect, abuse, or rejection
• Low self-esteem or insecurity

For detailed feedback on antagonistic characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's creative writing analyzer.

Behaviors associated with being antagonistic

You may be able to show your character's trait of antagonistic by using these.

• Being selfish or self-serving
• Displaying a lack of empathy or concern for others' feelings or wellbeing
• Challenging or opposing the protagonist or other characters
• Engaging in manipulative or deceitful behavior
• Undermining or sabotaging others' plans or goals
• Using intimidation or threats to get what they want
• Being confrontational or argumentative

Attitudes associated with being antagonistic

You may be able to show antagonistic through their attitudes.

• Believing that the end justifies the means
• Taking pleasure in causing others to fail or suffer
• Being manipulative and deceitful
• Feeling superior or entitled compared to others
• Refusing to take responsibility for one's actions
• Feeling justified in causing harm or distress to others
• Being competitive and unwilling to compromise
• Having a narrow worldview and being intolerant of others' beliefs or values
• Being confrontational and argumentative

Thoughts and struggles associated with being antagonistic

Here are some ideas for things your antagonistic character may think or struggle with.

• A sense of superiority or entitlement, believing that they are better or more deserving than others.
• An inability to see beyond their own desires and needs, leading to a lack of empathy or concern for others.
• A fear of vulnerability or weakness, which can lead them to lash out at others before they can be hurt.
• A need for validation or recognition, which can manifest as a desire to be feared or respected by others.
• A deep-seated belief that they are justified in their actions, even if others see them as cruel or ruthless.
• A desire for power or control over others, which may stem from a past experience of being powerless or vulnerable.
• A tendency to manipulate or deceive others to achieve their goals, often without regard for the consequences.

Emotions associated with being antagonistic

Here are some ideas for emotions your antagonistic character may experience.

• Malice
• Schadenfreude (pleasure in others' misfortune)
• Disdain
• Deceitfulness
• Self-righteousness
• Arrogance
• Sadism
• Manipulativeness
• Contempt
• Anger
• Jealousy
• Hostility
• Resentment
• Envy

Facial expressions associated with being antagonistic

Here are some facial expressions your antagonistic character may exhibit.

• Rolling eyes or looking away dismissively
• Snarling lips
• Frowning or scowling
• Tightened jaw
• Narrowed eyes
• Raised eyebrows
• Squinting or staring intensely
• Clenched teeth or gritted teeth
• Sneering or smirking

Body language associated with being antagonistic

Here is some body language your antagonistic character may exhibit.

• Pointing or gesturing aggressively
• Standing or sitting with a rigid posture
• Clenched jaw or tight lips
• Rolling eyes or sneering
• Smirking or scoffing
• Crossing arms across the chest
• Leaning forward aggressively
• Narrowed eyes or a piercing stare
• Invading personal space
• Pacing or fidgeting

For detailed feedback on antagonistic characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's creative writing analyzer.

Behaviors associated with being antagonistic

Here are some behaviors your antagonistic character may exhibit.

• Being confrontational or argumentative
• Being selfish or self-serving
• Undermining or sabotaging others' plans or goals
• Displaying a lack of empathy or concern for others' feelings or wellbeing
• Engaging in manipulative or deceitful behavior
• Using intimidation or threats to get what they want
• Challenging or opposing the protagonist or other characters

Growth and evolution of antagonistic characters

Here are some ways that your antagonistic character may grow and evolve over time.

• The Antagonistic character may be forced to work with the Protagonist or other characters they previously opposed, leading to new insights and understanding.
• They may receive mentorship or guidance from a wise character, leading to a change in their behavior and beliefs.
• They may face consequences for their actions, causing them to re-evaluate their choices and strive to make amends.
• The Antagonistic character may experience a traumatic event that forces them to re-evaluate their priorities and values.
• The Antagonistic character may experience a change of heart or perspective, realizing the error of their ways and seeking redemption.
• They may be confronted with their own flaws and shortcomings, leading to personal growth and development.
• The Antagonistic character may form a bond with the Protagonist or other characters, leading to a shift in their perspective and actions.

Stereotypes of antagonistic characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical antagonistic character like these examples.

• Being too overpowered or invincible, making it difficult for the protagonist to overcome them
• Being purely sadistic or cruel without any redeeming qualities
• One-dimensional evilness with no depth or complexity
• Lack of motivation or justification for their actions
• Lacking empathy or any capacity for redemption or growth
• Being inconsistent or contradictory in their actions or beliefs
• Being too predictable or stereotypical, such as the typical bully or tyrant

Negatives of being antagonistic

Here are some potential negatives of being antagonistic. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as positives depending on the context.

• Antagonistic characters can be unrealistic or unbelievable, as their actions and motivations may not align with the story's context or the character's background.
• Antagonistic characters can be disliked or even hated by readers, making it harder to create a connection between them and the audience.
• Antagonistic characters can be one-dimensional and lack depth, as their sole purpose is to create conflict and opposition.
• Antagonistic characters can be predictable and cliché, relying on overused character tropes and stereotypes.

Positives of being antagonistic

Here are some potential positives of being antagonistic. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as negatives depending on the context.

• They can add tension and drama to the plot by creating obstacles for the protagonist to overcome.
• Antagonistic characters can be a great vehicle for exploring themes and ideas that might not otherwise be explored in the story.
• They can provide a contrast to the protagonist's personality and values, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.
• Antagonistic characters can provide a source of conflict that drives the story forward.
• Antagonistic characters can be more complex and interesting than purely good characters, as they often have their own motivations and backstory that drives their behavior.

Verbal expressions of antagonistic characters

Here are some potential expressions used by antagonistic characters.

• Talking over others or dominating conversations
• Ignoring or dismissing others' ideas or feelings
• Criticizing or belittling others' work or accomplishments
• Interrupting others while they speak
• Blaming others for problems
• Making personal attacks or insults
• Using aggressive body language, such as crossing arms or standing too close
• Using a sarcastic tone
• Refusing to compromise or find common ground

Relationships of antagonistic characters

Here are some ways that being antagonistic could affect your character's relationships.

• Antagonistic people may be dismissive or contemptuous towards others, refusing to take their opinions or feelings seriously.
• They may also have a competitive dynamic, always trying to one-up others and be the best.
• They may also have a manipulative dynamic, using others for their own gain and not caring about the consequences.
• Antagonistic people may have a confrontational dynamic with others, always looking for a fight or argument.
• They may also have a hostile dynamic, where they are constantly looking for ways to hurt or harm others, either physically or emotionally.
• Antagonistic people may have a controlling dynamic, wanting to always be in charge and making decisions for others without their input.
• Antagonistic people may have a defensive dynamic, always feeling attacked and lashing out in response.

Examples from books of characters who are antagonistic

• Lord Voldemort from "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Nurse Ratched from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" by Ken Kesey
• Lady Macbeth from "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare
• Hannibal Lecter from "The Silence of the Lambs" by Thomas Harris
• Nurse Annie Wilkes from "Misery" by Stephen King
• Frank Booth from "Blue Velvet" by David Lynch
• Sauron from "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Dolores Umbridge from "Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix" by J.K. Rowling
• Iago from "Othello" by William Shakespeare

Writing exercises for writing antagonistic characters

Here are some writing exercises you might try for learning to write antagonistic characters.

• Write a scene where the Antagonist is confronted by the protagonist. Have them engage in a heated argument where the Antagonist uses insults or belittling language to assert their dominance.
• Write a scene where the Antagonist is forced to work with the protagonist towards a common goal. Explore how they react to this situation and how they interact with the other characters involved.
• Create a backstory for the Antagonist that justifies their behavior. Write a short piece exploring their motivations for being the way they are.
• Write a scene where the Antagonist faces consequences for their actions. This can help to humanize the character and show that they are not invincible.
• Create a character profile for the Antagonist that includes their likes, dislikes, fears, and goals. Use this information to inform their actions and dialogue throughout the story.
• Write a scene from the Antagonist's perspective where they are the hero of their own story. This can help develop empathy for the character and make them more relatable.
• Write a scene where the Antagonist experiences a moment of doubt or vulnerability. This can help to add depth to the character and make them more complex.