Social:Archenemy
In literature, an archenemy, (sometimes spelled as arch-enemy) or nemesis is the main enemy of the protagonist—or sometimes, one of the other main characters—appearing as the most prominent and most-known enemy of the hero.[1][2][3]
Etymology
The word archenemy originated around the mid-16th century, from the words arch-[3] (from Greek ἄρχω archo meaning 'to lead') and enemy.[1]
An archenemy may also be referred to as an archrival,[4] archfoe,[5] archvillain,[6] or archnemesis,[7] but an archenemy may also be distinguished from an archnemesis, with the latter being an enemy whom the hero cannot defeat (or who defeats the hero), even while not being a longstanding or consistent enemy to the hero.[8]
The archenemy should not be confused with the proper meaning of Nemesis — the Greek goddess of justice, retribution, and vengeance — who delivered divine punishment on those who committed great offences against the gods and the world.[9]
See also
- Antagonist
- Supervillain
- Villain
- Nemesis
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "archenemy definition". Dictionary.com. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/archenemy.
- ↑ "archenemy – Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary". Merriam-Webster. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/archenemy.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Wicaksono, Rachel. "BBC World Service | Learning English | Ask about English". BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/1837_aae/page23.shtml.
- ↑ "Definition of ARCHRIVAL" (in en). https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/archrival.
- ↑ "Definition of ARCHFOE". https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/archfoe.
- ↑ "Definition of ARCHVILLAIN" (in en). https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/archvillain.
- ↑ "Definition of ARCHNEMESIS". https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/archnemesis.
- ↑ Sage Michael, How to Become a Superhero: the Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate You! (2011), p. 228.
- ↑ (in en) Collins English Dictionary. Harper Collins. 1991. p. 1046. ISBN 0-00-433286-5.
 |  |
