What is the role of the protagonist in a narrative?

The role of the protagonist in a narrative is to drive the story forward and face the central conflict. The protagonist is typically the main character around whom the plot revolves. This character embarks on a journey or quest, confronting challenges and obstacles that test their abilities and values. As they navigate these conflicts, their growth and decisions often reflect the themes of the story, making them essential for engaging readers and moving the narrative toward its resolution.

In contrast, providing comic relief is more associated with secondary characters whose purpose is to lighten the mood but does not contribute directly to the main storyline or conflict. Serving as a background character implies a lack of depth or active involvement in the story, which does not align with the active role of a protagonist. Narrating the story from an omniscient perspective is typically the role of a narrator, not the protagonist themselves, who is usually more focused on personal experiences and conflicts.