: Re: How could a paragon character be an antagonist? I want to write a story featuring two main characters--Al and Bob. In the beginning, Al, the paragon, will be a kind, friendly, competent and

I'll leave you a link to this episode of Trope Talk on youtube, which I believe is very relevant ( Trope Talk: Paragorns ).

Imho you are already on track. As you mentioned, the first idea is not something you'd want - as Al wouldn't be a paragorn anymore. The second and third look like better options.

The point is: you don't have to be right to be a paragorn. As Henry pointed out, real life moral choices are seldom completely good or completely evil. To be a true paragorn, Al must be really convinced that his plan his ultimately the best for the entire community.

If Bob disagrees, Al will probably make everything in his power to show him his perceived truth. Eventually, your story will make the conflict escalate; but if Al will have to take drastic measures against Bob and his followers, he will do so with an heavy heart and a copious amount of guilt, still trying to be true to the greater good.

Anyway, only you, as the author, know how things will turn out. Al and Bob don't know the future - they can just argue on moral standards, personal opinions, and predictions. This will add a considerable amount of doubt and make the matter seem more "true"; if you play this well, the reader could ever be tempted to agree with Al, rather than with your chosen hero; and this would be totally fine - unless, of course, you don't make Bob an idiot in comparison.

To be short: they both must have believable ideologies. You can play this with both trying to take moral high-ground, e.g. "The only ethic way to go is this one", or make something more of the "morality vs necessity" trope: "I know this is an hard choice, but it's the only way we can survive" and so on.

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: I agree with ggiaquin answer, but I'd advise against giving the character some overly nasty habits if it isn't necessary just to make them more unsymphatetic, as other users have suggested.

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: Re: How could a paragon character be an antagonist? I want to write a story featuring two main characters--Al and Bob. In the beginning, Al, the paragon, will be a kind, friendly, competent and

More posts by @Ogunnowo420

: I agree with ggiaquin answer, but I'd advise against giving the character some overly nasty habits if it isn't necessary just to make them more unsymphatetic, as other users have suggested.

: What kind of effect can the name of a place or character have on a reader? My question is rather simple. In fact, it's in the title and requires almost no explanation. We can see throughout

: Creating a fictional place within an actual city? I am writing a thriller novel set in St. Louis a lot of the important scenes occur at a university. I am familiar with the city because I

: How do I vary my dialogue? For me, dialogue usually goes like "quote" she said, doing something. I don't like it, and doing that for every time someone speaks is boring. So how do I add

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