The Phantom of the Opera: Who is the Real Antagonist?
The enthralling love-triangle story of the Phantom of the Opera shows us what love can do and what power it holds. Aside from its very naturalistic theme, a number of us are shrouded with confusions as to who is the real antagonist. Is it the so-called "Opera Ghost", or Raoul?
Before coming up with the antagonist, I think its rightful for us to discover the protagonist. There are various sides and different angles on the story. However, I think its suitable to say that the whole story is about the Phantom, or Erik, his real name. Even the title of the story is Erik's alias. In addition to that, the whole story narrates his life, how he lived in the dark, damp and gloomy catacombs below the opera, how he lived his life being called "Phantom" and "Ghost" and how he fell in love with Christine Daae. Since the story is about Erik, we can finally reach the conclusion that he is the protagonist.
Erik is the protagonist, who is the antagonist? The antagonist is the one who opposes the protagonist. He is usually the one who causes the protagonist some trouble and strifes. In the story, the one who opposes Erik is Raoul, Vichomte di Chagny. By saying that Raoul is the antagonist, I am not saying that he is delinquent, iniquituos and insensitive of Erik's love for Christine. I am stressing that by opposing the main character, he made himself the antagonist.
This is just one of the many masks of the story being uncovered. There are still many mysteries that are waiting to be unraveled. This is why The Phantom of the Opera is different from other stories. This musical tragedy coupled with its teeming mysteries, challenged the minds and touched the hearts of several people - movie-goers and music-lovers alike.
I loved your blogs about The Phantom of the Opera and I do remember you during college days in Manila that you have the love of good opera , music and arts. You are such a cultured person!
Regards: Marivic Mendieta Pelaez
Twitter and Facebook contact