Nemesis

Nemesis refers to a character or force that is an opponent or enemy of the protagonist in a work of literature. This character or force represents the main obstacle or challenge that the protagonist must overcome in order to achieve their goals. Nemesis is often used to create tension and conflict in a story, and to challenge the protagonist’s beliefs, values, or abilities. Nemesis can take many forms, from a rival character to a natural disaster or societal structure.

Examples of nemesis:

In Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet,” the nemesis of the main character is his uncle, who murdered his father and married his mother.

In J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series, Voldemort is the nemesis of the protagonist, Harry Potter, who must defeat him in order to save the wizarding world.

In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” the nemesis of the main character, Jay Gatsby, is his own past and the class divide that separates him from his love interest.

In the Greek myth of Oedipus, the nemesis of the protagonist is his own fate and the prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother.

In the film “The Dark Knight,” the nemesis of Batman is the Joker, a chaotic and unpredictable villain who challenges Batman’s sense of justice and morality.