Antagonist

Character Role Analysis

The Birds

All of those crows and seagulls and sparrows who want to destroy mankind and peck out their eyes—they're the antagonists. Not just to Melanie but to all of humankind. ("It's the end of the world," as the dude in the diner says.)

Some critics have argued that the birds are a manifestation of Lydia's maternal jealousy, which would make Lydia the real antagonist. Melanie comes after Mitch, and all of the birds in Bodega Bay freak out on Lydia's behalf. Lydia is definitely the antagonist to Mitch and Melanie's relationship, but as far as being the cause of the devastation—the jury's still out on that one.