Think Iago. Think Scrooge (before the ghosts arrived). Think Mephistopheles and Dr. Moriarty and Voldemort. Without question, they stir things up. They lie and lust and lead the good guys (and girls) shockingly astray. The class will discuss the nature and purpose of antagonists in fiction and consider specific examples, both classic and contemporary, paying particular attention to how they function in a story and what makes them memorable and unique (rather than stereotypes). 

Each participant is encouraged to bring a story or novel excerpt that includes a favorite (or despised) antagonist to share.