An internal antagonist is a force within a character that opposes their goals. This force could be a personal flaw, a psychological barrier, or even a moral dilemma.
Examples of Internal Antagonists:
- Fear: A character who is afraid of public speaking might struggle to deliver a crucial presentation, hindering their progress.
- Self-doubt: A character who doubts their abilities might hesitate to take risks, preventing them from achieving their potential.
- Addiction: A character battling addiction might face internal conflict between their desire to change and the pull of their addiction.
- Past trauma: A character haunted by past trauma might struggle to form healthy relationships, creating an internal barrier to their happiness.
- Moral dilemma: A character faced with a difficult moral decision might struggle to choose the right path, creating internal conflict and tension.
Internal antagonists are often more complex and nuanced than external antagonists, as they can represent the character's inner struggles and growth.
