the.com/protagonist

the one the story can't shut up about, even when they deserve it.

means The main character of a story, the central figure whose choices and struggles the narrative follows.

from From Greek prōtagōnistēs, literally "first actor" or "first contestant" — from prōtos ("first") plus agōnistēs ("competitor, actor"), itself rooted in agōn, the contest or struggle that also gives us "agony." In ancient Greek theater the prōtagōnistēs was the lead performer, the one who stepped forward from the chorus to carry the play; the deuteragōnistēs and tritagōnistēs were the second and third actors behind them. The struggle is baked right in.

greek rootsMeans first actor, the one who answered back to the chorus.
plot armorSurvives wounds that erase entire side casts instantly.
not always goodMacbeth and Humbert Humbert star in their own horrors.
single originGreek theater first allowed exactly one speaking lead actor.
syndrome namedProtagonist syndrome describes people who think reality orbits them.
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