Final answer:
In literature, the antagonist opposes the main character, or protagonist, and is not necessarily a villain, but a force that presents challenges to the protagonist. Character B's negative traits suggest they could be an antagonist, but their role in the story's conflict is the determining factor. Secondary characters and antiheroes play different roles in the narrative.
Step-by-step explanation:
In literature, the antagonist is a character, group, concept, or another force that opposes the protagonist, who is the main character in a story. While an antagonist is often thought of as the 'villain,' this is not always the case. The antagonist's role is to present obstacles and challenges that the protagonist must overcome, and it is not necessarily a 'bad' character. In the context of your question, Character B, who is stingy, morose, and lazy, can be considered an antagonist if they stand in opposition to Character A, who is generous, funny, and diligent. However, it's important to note that personality traits alone do not define an antagonist; it is the character's role in the story's central conflict that determines their status as an antagonist.
The presence of an antagonist creates tension and drives the plot forward by presenting complications or conflicts for the protagonist to navigate. Characters who do not have significant roles in the conflict, such as secondary or minor characters, are not considered the antagonist, but they may support the protagonist or antagonist in their endeavors. At times, a story may feature an antihero as the protagonist, who does not possess typical heroic qualities, yet the audience still roots for them.