Hero vs. Protagonist — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 14, 2023
A hero is a character admired for bravery or noble qualities, while a protagonist is the main character driving the story's plot.
Difference Between Hero and Protagonist
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A hero, in literature and life, is characterized by noble deeds, bravery, and positive intentions. They often stand as a symbol of righteousness or morality. On the other hand, a protagonist is simply the primary character around whom a story revolves, irrespective of their moral compass.
While every hero can be a protagonist in a story, not every protagonist is a hero. A protagonist can be flawed, have dubious morals, or even be considered a villain in some contexts. A hero, by most definitions, embodies qualities that are admirable and worthy of emulation.
Heroes often face challenges and adversities, overcoming them to save others or achieve something greater for the collective good. Protagonists, conversely, may face challenges personal to their journey, growth, or transformation, without the universal heroic aura.
The term "hero" comes loaded with a positive connotation, indicating valor and honor. In contrast, "protagonist" is a neutral term, solely indicating the narrative centrality of a character without passing judgment on their actions or intentions.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A character admired for bravery or noble deeds.
The main character around whom a story revolves.
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Connotation
Positive, indicating valor and honor.
Neutral, indicating narrative centrality.
Morality
Generally embodies admirable qualities.
Can have varied moralities, even flawed.
Role in a Story
Often saves or helps others.
Drives the story's plot.
Universality
Can be universally recognized across stories.
Unique to each story's context.
Compare with Definitions
Hero
A central figure in legends or myths.
Hercules is a hero from ancient Greek mythology.
Protagonist
A protagonist is a story's central character.
Harry Potter is the protagonist of J.K. Rowling's series.
Hero
Someone who sacrifices for the greater good.
The soldier was a hero for his selfless act.
Protagonist
Whose perspective is often followed in the narrative.
The story unfolds mainly through the eyes of its protagonist, Jane Eyre.
Hero
Denotes a person of distinguished bravery.
The firefighter was a true hero in the crisis.
Protagonist
Represents the main figure driving a narrative.
Elizabeth Bennet is the protagonist in Pride and Prejudice.
Hero
Represents moral excellence and character.
Martin Luther King Jr. is a hero for his fight for justice.
Protagonist
Faces primary conflict or challenge.
Katniss Everdeen, as the protagonist, confronts the Capitol's tyranny.
Hero
A hero (heroine in its feminine form) is a real person or a main fictional character who, in the face of danger, combats adversity through feats of ingenuity, courage, or strength. Like other formerly solely gender-specific terms (like actor), hero is often used to refer to any gender, though heroine only refers to women.
Protagonist
A protagonist (from Ancient Greek πρωταγωνιστής, prōtagōnistḗs 'one who plays the first part, chief actor') is the main character of a story. The protagonist makes key decisions that affect the plot, primarily influencing the story and propelling it forward and is often the character who faces the most significant obstacles.
Hero
A priestess of Aphrodite beloved by Leander.
Protagonist
The main character in a work of fiction, as a play, film, or novel.
Hero
A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed one's life
Soldiers and nurses who were heroes in an unpopular war.
Protagonist
In ancient Greek drama, the first actor to engage in dialogue with the chorus, in later dramas playing the main character and some minor characters as well.
Hero
A person noted for special achievement in a particular field
The heroes of medicine.
Protagonist
A leading or principal figure.
Hero
The principal character in a novel, poem, or dramatic presentation.
Protagonist
The leader of a cause; a champion.
Hero
In mythology and legend, an individual, often a man of divine ancestry, who is endowed with great courage and strength, celebrated for bold exploits, and favored by the gods.
Protagonist
Usage Problem A proponent; an advocate.
Hero
See submarine sandwich.
Protagonist
(authorship) The main character, or one of the main characters, in any story, such as a literary work or drama.
Hero
Somebody who possesses great bravery and carries out extraordinary or noble deeds.
Protagonist
A leading person in a contest; a principal performer.
Hero
A role model.
Protagonist
(proscribed) An advocate or champion of a cause or course of action.
Hero
The protagonist in a work of fiction.
Protagonist
One who takes the leading part in a drama; hence, one who takes lead in some great scene, enterprise, conflict, or the like.
Shakespeare, the protagonist on the great of modern poetry.
Hero
(poker) The current player, especially an hypothetical player for example and didactic purposes. Compare: any opponent player. Not to be confused with a weak call against a supposed bluff.
Let's discuss how to play if the hero has KK, and there's an ace on board.
Protagonist
A person who backs a politician or a team etc.;
All their supporters came out for the game
They are friends of the library
Hero
(US) A large sandwich made from meats and cheeses; a hero sandwich.
Protagonist
The principal character in a work of fiction
Hero
The product chosen from several candidates to be photographed, as in food advertising, or with props used in a movie.
Protagonist
Often undergoes significant transformation.
Ebenezer Scrooge is the protagonist who changes in A Christmas Carol.
Hero
(web design) The eye-catching top portion of a web page, sometimes including a hero image; the portion above the fold.
Hero
An illustrious man, supposed to be exalted, after death, to a place among the gods; a demigod, as Hercules.
Hero
A man of distinguished valor or enterprise in danger, or fortitude in suffering; a prominent or central personage in any remarkable action or event; hence, a great or illustrious person.
Each man is a hero and oracle to somebody.
Hero
The principal personage in a poem, story, and the like, or the person who has the principal share in the transactions related; as Achilles in the Iliad, Ulysses in the Odyssey, and Æneas in the Æneid.
The shining quality of an epic hero.
Hero worship exists, has existed, and will forever exist, universally among mankind.
Hero
A man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength;
RAF pilots were the heroes of the Battle of Britain
Hero
The principal character in a play or movie or novel or poem
Hero
Someone who fights for a cause
Hero
Greek mathematician and inventor who devised a way to determine the area of a triangle and who described various mechanical devices (first century)
Hero
(classical mythology) a being of great strength and courage celebrated for bold exploits; often the offspring of a mortal and a god
Hero
(Greek mythology) priestess of Aphrodite who killed herself when her lover Leander drowned while trying to swim the Hellespont to see her
Hero
A large sandwich made of a long crusty roll split lengthwise and filled with meats and cheese (and tomato and onion and lettuce and condiments); different names are used in different sections of the United States
Hero
A hero is someone admired for their courage.
Superman is a hero who saves the day.
Common Curiosities
Is every hero a protagonist?
No, a story can have a hero who isn't the central character or driving force of the plot.
Are all heroes morally good?
While heroes are often seen as morally upright, some can be flawed or have complex moralities, especially in modern narratives.
Can side characters be heroes?
Yes, a side character can perform heroic deeds even if they aren't the story's protagonist.
Can a protagonist be a villain?
Yes, when a story centers around a villain, they are called an "anti-hero" or a villainous protagonist.
Is a hero's journey always positive?
While many hero stories involve overcoming adversity, some can explore the hero's downfall or tragic flaws.
Is a tragic hero still a hero?
Yes, a tragic hero is a hero with a fatal flaw leading to their downfall, but they still possess heroic qualities.
Can there be multiple protagonists in a story?
Yes, some stories have multiple central characters or dual protagonists.
Why are some protagonists not heroes?
Because a story might center around a character's flaws, moral ambiguity, or personal journey without them being heroic.
Do protagonists always win?
No, protagonists can fail, die, or face unresolved conflicts by a story's end.
Does every story need a protagonist?
While most stories have a clear protagonist, some experimental narratives might not have a defined central character.
What's the opposite of a protagonist?
The antagonist, who opposes the protagonist's goals or creates the central conflict.
Can an inanimate object be a hero?
In some narratives, an object, place, or concept might take on a "heroic" significance, though it's not a hero in the traditional sense.
Can a protagonist be passive?
While protagonists typically drive a story's action, some narratives might feature a more passive protagonist influenced by external events.
Is it essential for a protagonist to undergo change?
While many protagonists undergo development or change, it's not a strict rule. Some remain static, and the story focuses on their consistent traits or the world changing around them.
What makes a hero relatable?
Often, it's their flaws, struggles, or moral dilemmas that make them feel human and relatable to readers or viewers.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
