deuteragonist
What is Deuteragonist? Definition, Usage, and Literary Examples
Deuteragonist Definition
The deuteragonist (doo-terr-AHH-guh-nuhst) is the second most important character in a story. The concept comes from ancient Greek drama that featured only three actors and a chorus. The main actor would portray the protagonist, with the second and third actors portraying the deuteragonist and the tritagonist, respectively. In fact, the Greek deuteragōnistēs means “second actor.”
How Deuteragonists Are Set Up
Deuteragonists are second in importance behind the protagonist, and many serve supporting roles as a friend, sidekick, mentor, sibling, love interest, and so on. Deuteragonists can also serve as the antagonist who opposes the main character, or they can be a neutral party.
While sidekicks, villains, and other archetypes can appear as a secondary main character, they’re not all deuteragonists by default. Rather, archetypes are a subcategory of deuteragonist, with matters of role and motive being highly variable from story to story.
Identifying the deuteragonist isn’t always as easy as spotting the protagonist. Ron and Hermione are both supporting characters in the Harry Potter series, but opinions may differ on who the true deuteragonist is.
The Functions of Deuteragonists
Given their importance to the story, deuteragonists are often—but not always—round and dynamic characters who support or oppose the protagonist or otherwise act as a neutral party. Whatever their role, they tend to have complex backstories and nuanced motivations. Consequently, they’re affected by the plot, meaning their characterization develops in response to the story. They often influence the narrative too, kicking off new plotlines or helping the protagonist complete their journey.
Writers can also use deuteragonists as a narrative device. Some secondary characters act as narrators who recount the protagonist’s story, or they can serve as a viewpoint character in novels that shift between points of view. Both strategies allow readers to perceive the protagonist and the plot from an alternative perspective, which enriches the narrative.
Deuteragonists in Pop Culture
There are countless examples of deuteragonists in popular culture. Princess Zelda is an iconic deuteragonist from the Legend of Zelda video game series, whether she appears as a damsel in distress, a champion, or a playable hero who adopted an alter ego.
Legendary British science-fiction show Doctor Who revolves in part around its numerous deuteragonists. Because the titular Doctor always travels with a companion, those characters become deuteragonists by default. Popular examples include Sarah Jane Smith, Rose Tyler, and Donna Noble.
Again, spotting the deuteragonist isn’t always easy, especially not in serial media like comics or ensemble TV shows. Depending on who you consider the main character in the TV show Gilmore Girls, either Lorelai or Rory Gilmore could be the deuteragonist.
Some stories shift between secondary characters depending on the episode or story arc, like Gotham, which focuses on secondary characters Bruce Wayne (aka Batman) and Oswald Cobblepot (aka the Penguin) in turns. Other deuteragonists become apparent only over time. Such is the case in the TV series How I Met Your Mother, where the renowned womanizer Barney Stinson doesn’t emerge as the deuteragonist until later in the series, after his character develops greater nuance.
Examples of Deuteragonists in Literature
1. Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Dr. John Watson is a classic literary deuteragonist. He narrates the adventures of Sherlock Holmes, meaning every case is filtered through his perspective. He also plays a crucial role as Holmes’s foil. Because Watson is not as keen or observant as the great detective, his presence makes Holmes’s genius shine more brightly.
2. Philip Pullman, The Subtle Knife
Pullman’s His Dark Materials fantasy trilogy primarily follows Lyra Belacqua, who meets Will Parry in The Subtle Knife, the second book, after discovering the existence of parallel universes. Will serves as a secondary viewpoint character. Although Will becomes Lyra’s love interest, he has a rich character arc all his own, as he tries to find his father, rescue Lyra from peril, and unravel the mysteries of the multiverse.
3. Stephanie Meyer, Twilight
Teenage protagonist Bella Swan narrates the Twilight series. Edward Cullen, her love interest, is the second main character. His status as a vampire kickstarts the plot: Bella’s blood so entices him that he nearly kills her upon their first interaction. Over time they fall in love, with Edward defending Bella’s life when she’s targeted by a visiting vampire coven. Meyer also wrote a flipped point of view version of Twilight called Midnight Sun, which puts Edward in the protagonist seat.
4. Stephen King, Misery
Misery is a psychological horror novel that follows author Paul Sheldon and his deranged fan Annie Wilkes. Paul is the protagonist, but the plot is driven by Annie’s choices because her psychotic devotion to Paul’s romance novels leads her to hold him captive. Annie is an example of a character who is both the deuteragonist and the antagonist.
Further Resources
TV Tropes lists deuteragonists from all types of media, from video games to movies to literature.
CS Sealey discussed protagonists, deuteragonists, and tritagonists in a blog post.