What Is A Deuteragonist? Definition, Examples And Writing Tips

No matter the genre you’re writing in or whether your story is plot-driven or character-driven, it’s likely that you’re going to need an effective deuteragonist to help drive the narrative. From the loveable Samwise in Lord of the Rings to the loyal Dr Watson in Sherlock Holmes, deuteragonists are almost as important as a protagonists to a writer and can be just as memorable to a reader. Join us today at What We Reading as we run you through what a deuteragonist is, some more of the best examples in books and offer some tips and strategies on how you can begin writing effective deuteragonists in your next story! 

What Is A Deuteragonist?

A deuteragonist is the second-most important character in a story. The term comes from the Greek ‘deuteragōnistēs’ meaning ‘second actor’. They are often referred to as the second main character, providing a different perspective on a narrative than the protagonist, who readers typically see things from. 

Deuteragonists are often similar to protagonists in their qualities and goals but are often their opposites in other aspects. An example of this would be with Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. Holmes is often depicted as being cold and logical, whereas Watson is much kinder and compassionate. 

Purpose Of Deuteragonists

Deuteragonists can serve several different roles throughout a story. They might work with the protagonist throughout or go on their own separate journey. They can support a protagonist, oppose them or switch between both. 

Ultimately, the purpose of a deuteragonist is to provide a different perspective on a story and help a protagonist complete their character arc. A deuteragonist may show a protagonist a better way of doing things or demonstrate the value of a trait they don’t possess i.e. an anti-hero learning to have more empathy for others. 

3 Types Of Deuteragonists

Deuteragonists in books typically come in three different forms: 

• The love interest: In romance stories, the second most important character behind the protagonist is their love interest. An example of this would be Samson in Colleen Hoover’s Heart Bones.
• The sidekick: Most deuteragonists follow the protagonist as a sidekick, helping them reach their goals or providing comic relief, assistance or insights. Examples of this include Ron and Hermoine in the Harry Potter series and Jim in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
• The antagonist: Frequently the secondary character in a story can be the antagonist if their aims clash with the protagonist’s. An antagonist is only considered a deuteragonist if they play a major role in telling the story. An example of an antagonist deuteragonist would be Eden Bellwether from The Bellwether Revivals or Hannibal Lecter in Red Dragon.

A book can feature more than one deuteragonist, and these characters can assume all three roles. Don’t limit yourself to a single protagonist, antagonist, or deuteragonist if you believe that the story would benefit from a larger cast of characters! 

How To Write A Deuteragonist

Like with other character types, When it comes to writing effective deuteragonists, everything should be based on the story. With that in mind, here are some quick tips on how to write a deuteragonist:

Complete The Arc

Deuteragonists should follow a protagonist’s journey. They should be on hand to deliver something the hero doesn’t have or provide an insight they wouldn’t have thought of at the most opportune moment. An example of this would be in the Harry Potter series where Hermione provides some of the book smarts Harry lacks, without ever stepping over his main role. Even as her own personality is given more depth, the focus remains solely on the Boy Who Lived. 

Keep It Grounded

As mentioned before, the job of the deuteragonist is to compliment the protagonist – not overshadow them. If you find that your deuteragonists are becoming more fleshed out, impactful or more interesting than your protagonist, you may find yourself wondering whether the main plotline is even worth telling.

Wrap Up

From Dr Watson to Hannibal Lecter, deuteragonists are a great means of pushing a story along, completing effective arcs and adding more depth to your protagonists. By understanding the types they come in and what purpose they serve, you can set to work designing the next great sidekick in the literary world!