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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWe all know about the protagonist and the antagonist\u2026 but what is a contagonist? Put simply, a contagonist is kind of a combination of the protagonist and antagonist. He\u2019s a good guy\u2026 but he\u2019s also a bad guy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basically, a contagonist is someone who might be on the MC\u2019s side, but he and the MC don\u2019t exactly get along. In fact, in some cases, they might hate each other\u2019s guts. But, for some reason or another, they\u2019re stuck together working against the antagonist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like the other supporting characters, a contagonist can take on more than one role. He can also be a sidekick, a child character, a love interest, or even a mentor. He can be portrayed more as a good character who\u2019s been a little misled, or a bad character who happens to be fighting on the good side. However, at his core, he\u2019s a contagonist who clashes with the MC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s take a look at a few things to consider when writing a contagonist:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Antagonist stand-in<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
While your antagonist should provide much of the conflict in the story, he won\u2019t always be present for every scene. So having a contagonist who is<\/em> there for most scenes is a perfect way to add conflict. As we\u2019ll look at in the next few points, this conflict can arise for various reasons, but the main thing is that there is<\/em> conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think about it this way\u2026 the MC is already stressed out trying to defeat the antagonist and wrestling with their internal conflict. So it would be nice if they could have some downtime when they\u2019re not fighting the villain\u2014it would be great if they were surrounded by supportive friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, when the MC gets back to their \u201csafe space\u201d (home, headquarters, hideout, etc.), the contagonist is still around. The MC has no rest, even when away from the antagonist because the contagonist adds to their worries, doubts, fears, dangers, and obstacles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nIn the Bible, we find that Nebuchadnezzar acts somewhat as an antagonist and <\/em>contagonist. In fact, sometimes he\u2019s pretty much the villain. However, other times, he\u2019s not quite antagonistic towards Daniel. But even then, Daniel still has to be careful because, after all, Nebuchadnezzar is the king, and has the power to kill him if he wishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nIn the movie \u201cDo You Believe?,\u201d the gangster, Kriminal, isn\u2019t quite the antagonist. But he\u2019s not exactly a good guy, either. While it\u2019s clear that he and his brother, Percy, are close, it\u2019s also clear that Kriminal will do whatever is necessary to achieve his goal. Kriminal\u2019s actions to get back his money provide many obstacles to various MCs\u2026 even ultimately causing the climatic car crash at the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Lie vs. Truth<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
When writing a contagonist, you\u2019ll need to pinpoint his belief. Typically, the contagonist will believe a Lie, but even that can vary. If the MC is a Flat Arc, the contagonist will pretty much always believe some kind of Lie that\u2019s opposite the Truth. However, if the MC is a Positive Change Arc, there are several other options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Opposite Lies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
This is when the MC believes a Lie (like \u201cI can never be worthy\u201d), and the contagonist believes another Lie that\u2019s on the other end of the spectrum (like \u201cI am<\/em> worthy\u201d). Neither believes the actual Truth (like \u201cI can<\/em> be worthy, but only by the grace of God\u201d), but their Lies are still opposed to each other. These types of Lies can often provide needed conflict in the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Similar Lies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Sometimes, both the MC and the contagonist will believe a Lie that\u2019s similar, but one is to a bigger extreme. For example, if the MC\u2019s Lie is \u201cI can never be worthy,\u201d the contagonist\u2019s Lie might be \u201cNo one can ever be worthy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Identical Lies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Other times, the MC and the contagonist might have the exact same belief. At first, it might seem that they should be best friends because of their beliefs in the same Lie. However, it\u2019s possible that believing the same Lie could bring about more<\/em> conflict. Like if both the MC and the contagonist believe the Lie that \u201cOnly I am worthy,\u201d that could cause a lot of strife between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nAn example from the Bible of characters who believe the Lie is Job\u2019s friends. While Job may have been out of line in demanding an answer from God, his friends were even more off by suggesting that God was punishing Job for his sins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the movie, \u201cInside Out,\u201d Joy\u2019s Lie is that Sadness is never a good thing, and is totally useless. And, as the movie goes on, we see that Sadness actually holds a similar Lie, believing that she herself is useless. However, after Joy realizes the Truth, she shows Sadness her own worth so that they can save Riley together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nThose are the main types of Lies that a contagonist can believe, but I also want to mention that it is<\/em> possible for a contagonist to believe the Truth. This usually occurs when the MC acts as their own antagonist, like in the story of Jonah in the Bible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If Jonah had listened to God and obeyed, there would have been no storm, no sailors, and no big fish. However, because of God\u2019s belief in the Truth (after all, He is<\/em> Truth), he sends those difficulties Jonah\u2019s way to put him back on the right path. So not exactly antagonistic, but since God was <\/em>obstructing Jonah\u2019s goal, it can be counted as contagonistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Opposition<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Whatever Lie (or Truth) the contagonist believes, he will<\/em> be in opposition to the MC and\/or his goal. At the very least, their relationship will be strained for some reason or another. This could be because of opposing beliefs, opposing goals, or even events in the past that caused a rift between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, there are two ways that a contagonist can oppose the MC:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Accidentally<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Yes, while the point of a contagonist is to obstruct the MC in some way, they\u2019re not always doing it on purpose. In fact, they might like the MC and want to help them. But their actions\u2014done with good intentions\u2014might have bad results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We see this in the Bible with Peter and Jesus. While Peter quite clearly loved Jesus and wanted to follow Him, he often had the wrong way of doing things. From rebuking Jesus, to ordering Him around, to cutting off someone\u2019s ear, Peter appears to be very protective of Jesus. However, he seems to forget the fact that Jesus is the Son of God, and has come to earth for the purpose of dying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is also found in the book (and movie), \u201cSense and Sensibility\u201d in the character Lucy Steele. While her choices are sometimes questionable, it appears that she was quite sincere in her friendship with Elinor. However, she little knew that her engagement to Edward was actually the main cause of Elinor\u2019s unhappiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Purposely<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Of course, we usually find that contagonists oppose the MC on purpose. As I said before, this could be for various reasons. But their relationship with the MC will most likely be filled with some level of disgust, spite, bitterness, envy, or hate. Some contagonists will even go out of their way to obstruct the MC\u2019s goals\u2014perhaps simply because<\/em> of their dislike for the MC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the Bible, we find that Esau is an example of this. While Jacob cheating him out of his birthright and blessing wasn\u2019t exactly the right thing to do, Esau had the wrong reaction to it. In fact, these events ended up separating the brothers for years. And even when they finally reunited, it appears that their relationship was never quote the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the movie, \u201cZootopia,\u201d Nick Wilde is somewhat of a sidekick\/contagonist. In the beginning, however, he takes on characteristics that border on antagonistic. Resenting Judy for her personality, beliefs, job, and also for the fact that he\u2019s stuck with her, he tries to obstruct her as much as he can. However, as we see later, he eventually finds himself sticking up for her and truly helping her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Similarities<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
So, if the contagonist acts so antagonistic towards the MC, why on earth is he on the good side? Typically, the contagonist and the MC will be stuck with each other for some reason. They might be relatives, or forced to work together to achieve their individual goals, or a higher authority puts them together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While they might not like each other very much, the contagonist and MC still have some things in common\u2014in fact, these may be the very reasons they don\u2019t like each other. Perhaps their personalities are similar, or they have the same goal, or they believe the same Lie. Perhaps they have regard for one character (such as a sidekick or love interest)\u2014or disregard for another character (such as the antagonist). Perhaps they both respect their mutual leader or mentor. Perhaps they have similar interests or hobbies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whatever the similarities are, the MC and the contagonist might choose to ignore them at first. However, by the end of the story, they may come to recognize and even appreciate those similarities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nIn the case of Abraham and Lot, they were stuck together simply because they were family. While Abraham didn\u2019t agree with Lot on some things, he put up with him. But Lot\u2019s selfish choices sometimes caused Abraham inconveniences, such as when he chose the best land, or when he got captured because of his choice to live in Sodom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nIn the movie, \u201cMonsters University,\u201d Mike and Sully pretty much hate each other\u2019s guts at first. However, they\u2019re forced to work together to win the Scare Games to achieve their goal of getting back into the university. While both share the trait of being incredibly stubborn, neither of them wants to acknowledge it at first (for obvious reasons).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Ending<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
There are many different ways that the contagonist can finish off their story, depending on their arc. If they\u2019re a Flat Arc, they will graciously receive the MC as he comes to believe the Truth. If they\u2019re any kind of negative arc, they will eventually betray or otherwise obstruct the MC so much that it will be their own downfall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most common ending for a contagonist, however, is for the Positive Change Arc character. Usually, the contagonist will end up becoming good friends with the MC, and they will learn to work together and help each other overcome various obstacles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nIn the story of David, we find that Joab was a very confusing contagonist. At times, he was very loyal to David, but it also seems that he did his own things. He sometimes disobeyed David\u2019s orders, yet other times gave him wise advice. Sadly, in the end, he betrayed David by following Adonijah, and Solomon eventually had him killed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nIn the movie, \u201cThe Prince of Egypt,\u201d Aaron was quite opposed to Moses for much of the story, even going so far as to mock and ridicule him. However, by the end of the story, we see that he is spurred on by Moses\u2019 courage, even taking his own step of faith. The brothers\u2019 relationship ends in a much better place, with hope in the future that they might even become as close as Moses and Rameses once were.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nHere are a few more contagonists from the Bible:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Ishmael<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Simon the sorcerer<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
And here are some examples from fiction:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Rolf, Briosa, Alistair, Cassidy, Fergus, etc. (\u201cThe Baker Family Adventures\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The Scot; Maria (\u201cThe Mountain Fortress: Escape to the Outback\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Buzz Lightyear (\u201cToy Story\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Mr. Brown (\u201cPaddington\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Wilbur Robinson (\u201cMeet the Robinsons\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Comment below your favorite contagonist!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Today, we\u2019re going to talk about contagonists. While you might be unfamiliar with this term, by the end of this post, you\u2019ll probably realize that the contagonist is actually a quite common character in fiction.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,128],"tags":[31,24,26,29,137,138],"class_list":["post-677","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bible-analyses","category-how-to-write-supporting-characters","tag-bible-analyses","tag-character-arcs","tag-characters","tag-christian-writing","tag-contagonists","tag-supporting-characters"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/677","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=677"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/677\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":679,"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/677\/revisions\/679"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=677"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=677"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=677"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
- Wilbur Robinson (\u201cMeet the Robinsons\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Mr. Brown (\u201cPaddington\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Buzz Lightyear (\u201cToy Story\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- The Scot; Maria (\u201cThe Mountain Fortress: Escape to the Outback\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Rolf, Briosa, Alistair, Cassidy, Fergus, etc. (\u201cThe Baker Family Adventures\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Simon the sorcerer<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Ishmael<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Ending<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Similarities<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Purposely<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Accidentally<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Opposition<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Identical Lies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Similar Lies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Opposite Lies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Lie vs. Truth<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n