what are the similarities and differences between a protagonist and the anti hero?

Answer 1

The anti-hero, deals with his flaws and those of the people he meets in the course of the story in his own personal way. The typical anti-hero lives by his own values, and is guided by his personal moral compass, striving to define and construe his values, per se, as opposed to those recognized by the society of his world.

That is what Wiki says. In other words, an anti-hero lacks some of the characteristics to be considered a true protagonist. He is flawed and is stuggling with those flaws. Holden Caulfield would be a good example of the epitome of the anti-hero. He has issues and is going about solving them in all the wrong ways, but they are HIS ways.

I disagree that an anti-hero doesn't push. Often he does, it just isn't in the right direction.

Most authors offer compassion for their anti-heros - as does Salinger. They are lovable, likable kind of people - often the kind of people who wouldn't hurt flies, but they just have these daggone flaws they cannot seem to overcome and those flaws tend to spill over into other people's lives. In the movies, Jerry Lewis played many an anti-hero to perfection. Pax- C

Answer 2

An anti-hero can be a protagonist as well.

A protagonist is not always a hero. A protagonist is the driving force for the main goal of a story, an antagonist is not always a villain, it is something that opposes the protagonist.

An anti-hero is somebody that ultimately works for the side of good but does so using less than savory means, like killing, stealing, maiming, etc...

A Hero is somebody that works for the side of good and does so through sacrifice and hard work, while upholding to moral codes and laws.

Answer 3

A protagonist is the main character of a story, that we're supposed to root and cheer for (even if he's a bad person).

An anti-hero is a bad character who the author felt sorry for and decided to write them a better ending then "and thousest hath slain me."

Answer 4

The classic differences (as you may know)--is that the protagonist is the "hero" of the story, and the antagonist is the "villain".

The hero does whatever he or she can to save the day, and the bad guy (or gal), does whatever they can to provide the obstacle to the hero's ultimate success.

HOWEVER...

However...

Sometimes, the hero and the villain can share similar qualities in both goals and in behavior.

In a couple of my books that I've written (and writing), I've been finding that my hero can easily--and quickly--become the villain.

And the antagonist in the storyline--the *victim*. (But never the hero.)

In another, the heroine of my book isn't necessarily the "good guy". She's got a checkered past and is more than able to flip sides and loyalties at the drop of a hat.

And many times without notice.

So her definition of 'hero' is pretty oblique. (Or slanted.)

Many times, she comes to save the day, but often than naught, she also is the villain--the bad guy.

And she shows it without prejudice--often blurring the lines between friend and foe. (And one tortured lover.)

Which makes me wonder: What have I created? (chuckling)

Answer 5

The similarities are non existent.

A protagonist pushes.

An anti hero doesn't.

An anti hero is so named because of a deed done that is acclaimed by others.

A protagonist pushes one to become a hero.

Answer 6

You just gotta go to youtube, or a bookshop, and study John Cleese, an English Commedian, did a bucket load of films, some internationals hits,

He has done a business management series, but also a series of what is called "irritation" unfortunately you cannot google the word irritation under youtube and get these, just use your yahoo 360 free web page to keep them referenced together cutting and pasting them once you have literally spent hours going through the entirity of an unsorted hotch potch of british commedy, he discussed the various kinds of ways of protagonising, agonising and fussing over one, only the way the British could! just enjoy being there and have patience, good luck, well worth it!