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The Sidekick: One Type of Deuteragonist.
What is a Deuteragonist?
Every story has a protagonist, but what about the character who stands beside them, challenges their decisions, or plays a crucial role in their journey?
That character may be the deuteragonist.
A deuteragonist is the second most important character in a story, following the protagonist. This character may be a trusted friend, romantic partner, mentor, or rival. They may support the protagonist, challenge their beliefs, or pursue their own goal.
Unlike the antagonist, whose role is to oppose the protagonist, the deuteragonist isn't necessarily an adversary. Their importance comes from the role they play in developing the central story.
Let's explore how deuteragonists function, why they matter, and what makes them memorable.
Where Does the Term Deuteragonist Come From?
The deuteragonist is also known as the “secondary main character.” They can be a friend, ally, love interest, or even a foe for the protagonist. What's important is that they are second in importance and presence to the protagonist.
The word deuteragonist comes from the Greek deuteragonistēs, meaning “second actor.” In ancient Greek theater, the deuteragonist was the second principal actor, appearing alongside the protagonist.
Purposes of the Deuteragonist in Fiction
There are several reasons to include a deuteragonist in a story. The deuteragonist can be crucial to developing a work of fiction's character arcs and plot.
1. The journey of the Deuteragonist’s character and plot arc “should influence the main character’s journey and play a significant role in the finale.” (Studiobinder.com)
2. The Deuteragonist serves as a foil character to the Protagonist. (Masterclass.com) They should share some qualities with the Protagonist while embodying very different ones to highlight their traits and the Protagonist's.
3. The Deuteragonist acts as a “window character,” providing “insight into the motivations, morals, and past of the protagonist.” (Thinkwritten.com)
4. The Deuteragonist acts as a bridge between the reader and the Protagonist, helping them to understand the Protagonist’s motives, thoughts, inner feelings, and other information that might not otherwise be communicated.
5. The Deuteragonist may act as a protector of the Protagonist from the him/her/itself. In this role, they may serve as a mentor or a conscience for the Protagonist.
6. Unlike some supporting characters, the Deuteragonist does not have to be trustworthy or beyond reproach. They may have their own motivations, secrets, or moral failings. These complexities can make the character more interesting and create tension between the Deuteragonist and the Protagonist.
Three Common Types of Deuteragonist
In fiction, the Deuteragonist can take many forms. Three common types are the Sidekick, the Love Interest, and the Antagonist. Here are examples of each.
1. The Sidekick: This type is usually the best friend or assistant of the Protagonist. In this role, they offer insight, comic relief, or occasional challenge or combat. They are an additional voice of reason for the Protagonist. Examples: Sam Gamgee (Deuteragonist) to Frodo Baggins (Protagonist) in The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien; Robin to Batman in DC Comics universe; Dr. Watson to Sherlock Holmes in stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; Han Solo to Luke Skywalker in Star Wars by George Lucas.
2. The Love Interest: This type of Deuteragonist is usually found in the Love/Romance genre and other genres that include a romance subplot. The Deuteragonist and Protagonist can be star-crossed lovers, enemies to lovers, or a combination of both. The love interest helps the Protagonist achieve their ultimate goal. The love interest should complement the Protagonist without overshadowing them. Examples: Jack Dawson to Rose DeWitt-Becatur in James Cameron’s Titanic; Elizabeth Swann to Wil in Pirates of the Caribbean.
3. The Antagonist: A character in a story may play a dual role as antagonist and Deuteragonist. In some works of fiction, the Villain plays such a significant role that they become the second most important character in the story. Fleshing out an antagonist enough by giving them near-equal attention to the Protagonist makes them even more compelling and exciting. Examples of great antagonist Deuteragonists: Hannibal Lecter (antagonist and Deuteragonist) to Clarice Starling (Protagonist) in The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris; Darth Vader (Villain and Deuteragonist) to Luke Skywalker (Protagonist) in Star Wars; Harvey Dent/Two-Face (antagonist/villain and Deuteragonist) to Bruce Wayne/Batman (Protagonist) in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight.
Other Examples of Deuteragonists
The following are further examples of characters who serve as Deuteragonists or play significant secondary roles in stories, film, and video games:1. Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series of books by J.K. Rowling
2. Dr. James Wilson in House M.D.
3. Princess Zelda in The Legend of Zelda
4. Lady Macbeth in Macbeth by William Shakespeare
5. Doc Brown in Back to the Future
6. Agent Dana Scully in The X-Files
7. M in Skyfall (James Bond)
8. Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
9. Ellie in The Last of Us
10. Peeta Mellark in The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Note: Some stories do not have a Deuteragonist. One example is the TV series Firefly, where the Protagonist is Mal Reynolds, but there is no clear secondary character. Instead, you have eight other characters of relatively equal importance. This is known as an ensemble cast.
Tips for Writing Deuteragonists
1. The Deuteragonist’s activities should complement the Protagonist’s character arc and actions in the plot. In a story with a Hero protagonist, the Deuteragonist complements the Hero’s Journey plot arc.
2. The Deuteragonist needs to bring something valuable to the final conflict at the story's climax.
3. The Deuteragonist must complement but not overshadow the Protagonist in the story. The Protagonist must remain the most important character. If the Deuteragonist outshines the Protagonist or gets more page/screen time, the writer should rethink who the story's true Protagonist is.
Further Reading
Conclusion
Many works of fiction contain three main character types: Protagonists, Antagonists, and Deuteragonists. The lines are sometimes blurred, and characters can take on multiple types or roles. Antagonists and deuteragonists strongly influence the plot and the protagonist's character arc. Understanding the role of the Deuteragonist helps a writer develop richer, deeper Protagonists and Antagonists, which can help create a compelling, memorable story.
Sources:
1. “What is a Deuteragonist?” By Bill Guterl. https://thinkwritten.com/what-is-a-deuteragonist/#google_vignette. September 1, 2021.
2. “What is a Deuteragonist: Definition and Examples for Writers.” By Mike Bedard. https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-a-deuteragonist-definition/ November 14. 2021.
3. “What is a Deuteragonist in Literature? 7 Examples of Deuteragonists.” https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-deuteragonist-in-literature. September 3, 2021.
4. “Deuteragonist.” https://www.literaryterms.net/deuteragonist/
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