inner conflict essay

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Posted on Jul 14, 2023

What is Internal Conflict? (with Examples and Writing Tips)

Internal conflict in literature is the struggle between a character’s values or desires and their goals. Though this conflict may arise from external conditions where the character must choose between a sense of duty towards others and their own true wants and needs, they are, in the end, fundamentally about the battle that goes on inside a character's heart and mind. 

Much like external conflict, internal conflict adds stakes and allows the reader to emotionally invest in a story. In this post, we dive deeper into what internal conflict is and how it can elevate your writing.

Internal conflict deepens the story

When we think of conflict, often the first thing that comes to mind are external ones. Antagonists , the forces of nature, societal rules, and many more form the basis of many tales, providing our heroes with obstacles and driving the plot forward. Seeing how characters overcome these challenges is part of the appeal, but it’s more important to see how these challenges affect them personally — and that’s where an external conflict can become an interior one. 

Will an obstacle in their journey make them question their own ideals and morals? Will they reassess who they are and what drives them? Essentially, what effect does their problem have on their internal lives, and will it possibly change them forever? This adds another layer to the story and can give it deeper meaning. 

Tip: Use your internal conflict to highlight the external conflict

Combining your external conflict with your internal conflict is an effective way to add greater depth to a story.

For a great example of external conflict mirroring a character’s inner struggle, look no further than Rocky. On the surface, it’s a movie about an underdog boxer going up against the world champion, but part of its long-lasting appeal is that it’s also a story about self-worth. 

Rocky’s external struggle is the physical strain of his training, while his internal one is something deeper. It underpins his journey to the prize fight and gives it greater stakes — he’s not just fighting for prize money but for his own sense of self. In the run-up to the big fight, Rocky has moments of doubt and wonders if he’s simply setting himself up for embarrassment. This complements the physical struggle he undergoes while training for the prize fight and gives his actions a greater weight. 

Internal conflict isn’t just an important part of character building, it also impacts the direction of the plot.

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It gives your plot stakes and long-lasting consequences

A character’s internal conflicts influence their actions and decisions. A hero who believes the best of people might have their trust betrayed by the wrong person, making a plot beat that much more significant. A firefighter’s feelings for their family back home could make their rescue mission that much more precarious, and the risks they’re taking more keenly felt. Internal conflict functions as another way to add stakes to your story: what will happen to our hero if they don’t change their ways? What are the consequences if they don’t achieve their goal?

Tip: Give your character a flaw that they struggle with 

The most memorable figures in literature all have character flaws . No one is perfect, least of all your main character, and their less-than-stellar traits will have them making decisions that have consequences — some of which might create a domino effect of new problems. 

Ursula K. Le Guin’s A Wizard of Earthsea centers on a young man named Ged, whose journey to becoming a great wizard is often stymied by his pride. When he’s challenged by a peer, Ged’s hubris leads him to attempt a resurrection of a sorceress. Instead, he creates a shadow that kills another wizard and threatens Ged at every turn for the rest of the novel. This critical character flaw influences the course of the plot and raises the stakes as Ged continues down a dangerous path to either prove himself or fix his mistakes, dealing with internal conflict between his arrogant impulses and his newfound fears. 

On a larger scale, internal conflict impacts the themes and overall meaning of your story.

It turns a specific story into something universal

On the surface, a story might be about one thing: defeating the evil wizard, regaining one’s rightful control of the throne, or getting the girl (or guy). But no matter what kind of tale you’re telling, readers love it when you hit on ideas that are familiar to them, even if they don’t relate to the exact situation. There’s no better way to do that than by giving your characters internal conflicts that people know from their own lives. 

We might not know what it feels like to fight dragons or be a world leader, but we can understand the struggle between doing what’s right and doing what’s convenient or self-serving.

Tip: Ground your stories by giving your characters relatable internal conflicts

The universality of internal conflicts can make your story more relatable, which is especially useful if you’re writing speculative fiction. 

Terry Pratchett does this masterfully in his Discworld series set in an outlandish fantasy world. In Guards! Guards!, we follow Samuel Vimes — captain of the severely underfunded Ankh-Morpork City Watch — as he tries to keep a dragon from destroying the city and overthrowing the government. But that’s only half the story. Along the way, Vimes also struggles with his sense of duty as a Watchman, his pessimistic nature, and the ideals that he held as a younger man. These internal conflicts ground his story, making it familiar and relatable to the reader in an unfamiliar world.

With these tips and examples under your belt, you should now have a good grasp on what internal conflict is and how authors can use it in their story. In the next part of this guide, we’ll focus in on external conflict to show you how, when combined with inner struggles, it can elevate a narrative and create a well-rounded and compelling tale.

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What Is Internal Conflict in Literature? Definition and Examples

Kristina Stanley

Kristina Stanley is a bestselling, award-winning author and the creator and CEO of Fictionary.co. Using her computer mathematics degree along with her experience as an author and ten years working as a professional editor, she created the self-editing software she wished she had. Fictionary’s automated story editing software guides you through a step-by-step edit, helping you finish a novel you’ll be proud to publish. Take a free trial today and see how much better your story can be.

Table of Contents

Internal conflict: definition, examples of internal conflict in books, conclusion: what is internal conflict in literature.

We often hear about how we need to include conflict in our fiction. And, on the face of it, this sounds like simple advice. We all know what conflict is, right? There’s conflict in a gunfight, a car chase, and a magical battle. And there are more subtle conflicts like simmering arguments and passive-aggressive subtext.

All that stuff is external conflict , and it’s really important. But there’s another kind of conflict we don’t talk about nearly enough.

That’s right, folks.

It’s time to talk about internal conflict . But hang on. What in the name of Stephen King’s favorite typewriter is internal conflict, what can I use it for, and how can I add more of it to my novels?

Those are all fantastic questions. So, let’s get into it, shall we?

You’ve probably heard internal conflict referred to in different ways, including:

●     Character vs self

●     Person vs self

●     Man vs self

Essentially, internal conflict is the emotional battle raging inside your main character or protagonist. It’s their primary character flaw. It’s the chink in their armor that holds them back and stops them from getting what they want.

The character flaw you give them is essential to creating internal conflict.

When your protagonist tries to achieve their external story goal, whether that’s solving a murder, finding love, or saving a kingdom, their character flaw should stop them. And when their flaw holds them back, your protagonist should have an emotional reaction to that. This is the “character vs. self” conflict I was talking about. The flaw acts as a catalyst for your character’s internal struggle.

It’s a battle between what your protagonist thinks they need and what they actually need. Who they are, who they want to be, and who they need to be to reach their goal.

Internal conflict can seem like an abstract concept, so let’s look at an example to make it easy to understand.

Example of Internal Conflict: Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding

In Bridget Jones’s Diary , Helen Fielding does a great job of setting up Bridget’s internal flaw right away. Feilding opens the book (which is written like a diary) with a list of things Bridget says she will and will not do. The list of “Will Nots” is Bridget’s “flaws,” and the list of “Wills” is who she wants to become by the end of the novel.

Some items on Bridget’s list include:

●     Drink more than 14 alcohol units a week

●     Smoke

●     Spend more than earn

●     Improve career and find new job with potential

●     Be more confident

●     Be more assertive

This tells us that every time Bridget acts confidently or assertively, she’ll be more likely to achieve her goals and have less emotional turmoil. Whereas every time she smokes or drinks more than she “should” or spends a lot of money, she’ll beat herself up (internal struggle/internal conflict).

This simple example shows how internal conflict works.

Top tip: If you use Fictionary StoryTeller Software , you can chart the internal struggles (and successes) of your main characters.

Let’s dive a little deeper and look at the types of internal conflict you might use to add depth to your characters.

Moral Conflict

If one of your characters has a strong sense of right and wrong, moral internal conflict arises when right and wrong are pitted against each other. The choices you force your characters to make will be ethical in nature.

For example, in The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, Starr struggles morally. She faces the choice to speak out against the police for shooting her friend Khalil (right thing to do) or hide the truth (wrong thing to do). The dilemma comes in because (if Starr speaks out) there will be unpleasant consequences for her family and her own safety.

Love Conflict

Love conflict is a juicy one because it’s so universal. We all understand it. This type of internal conflict centers around romantic or unrequited love. The internal struggle arises because of the protagonist’s flawed belief they’re not worthy of love.

Going back to Bridget Jones, Bridget doesn’t believe she’s worthy of true love. She starts a relationship with Daniel Cleaver, even though she knows he’s the type of man she should avoid. Later, she struggles to believe Mark Darcy will love her just the way she is.

And that’s where Bridget’s internal conflict comes from.

Family Conflict

As the name suggests, this kind of internal conflict is rooted in family drama. The internal struggle often arises when people don’t think they belong in their family. There could also be misbeliefs around family abandonment.

In Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, Kya has a huge lack of self-confidence because she feels abandoned by her family. She doesn’t feel smart enough, worthy enough, or enough in any way. Her internal struggle centers around learning to be confident despite her background.

Self-Perception Conflict

This kind of conflict revolves around issues with self-identity. Characters struggling with this kind of internal conflict might involve a flawed view of their abilities, self-worth, or even their place in society.

In J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye , Holden Caulfield comes of age. He struggles with the disparity between the person he thought he was going to be as an adult and the person he actually is. He also struggles with his place in society because he sees the adult world as phony.

Religious Conflict

This type of conflict occurs when a main character questions their faith or religious beliefs, often leading them to leave the religious community they’ve been part of their entire life. The internal struggle usually centers around the belief they’re a bad person because they’re doubting their faith.

In Inside Outside by Jeff Elkins, the protagonist, Tim, is a pastor going through the religious deconstruction process. That is, he’s questioning his faith, his career, and everything he’s ever believed about God and the church. Every time Tim makes a decision that doesn’t align with his faith, he questions whether he’s a good person.

This is where his internal struggles come from.

Writing gripping internal conflict is key to writing stories readers love. The internal struggles your characters face will resonate with most readers.

By having your protagonist wrestle with their core beliefs, identity, and relationships throughout your stories, you create realistic, multidimensional characters readers connect with on a deep level.

But keeping track of all the juicy internal conflict in your story can be a tad tricky.

And that's where Fictionary comes in.

Fictionary's StoryTeller Software allows you to map both the external and internal conflict across your entire manuscript. You can evaluate whether you've included enough to drive the plot and characters forward. You can see where you have conflict, but it’s weak. And you can check out the in-app help tips to learn more about conflict.

Fictionary helps you master internal conflict and take your writing craft to the next level.

Start your free trial today.

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Internal Conflict: 25 Examples for Writers

Hi friends! A lot of times when we’re discussing a book proposal at work, we’ll ask, “What’s the conflict?” or say, “This could use some internal conflict.” What we’re talking about, of course, is the conflict getting in the way of a character’s goal—or, in the case of a romance novel, getting in the way of love and a happy ever after. I hope this list of internal conflict story examples gets your creativity flowing, and you can bookmark it or save it to Pinterest so it’s always handy!

But before I get to the list, let’s talk about..

Internal Conflict Vs. External Conflict

External conflict has to do with real-world circumstances. You want to go to college, but you don’t have enough money. You’ve fallen in love on your semester abroad, but he lives in Barcelona and you live in Idaho. You want to get home to your loved ones after a visit in Barcelona, but due to an alien invasion, all flights are grounded.

Internal conflict has to do with psychological barriers to a decision or a goal. If a struggle takes place in the character’s mind…or heart…then by definition, that’s an internal conflict. It may include wrestling with a moral quandary, pondering a difficult decision, or coming to terms with one’s sense of self.

Even stories with clear external conflict are stronger when they have internal conflict as well.  All of us deal with inner conflict in our own lives every day, so it’s easy for us as readers to relate to characters who deal with it, too! I’ve tried to include several types of internal conflict in this list. Obviously, you can change the pronouns as you like.

25 Examples of Internal Character Conflict

1. She’s not sure whether she and her team should continue on their mission, or stop everything to attempt a rescue of one of their own.

2. He’s not sure whether he should get back together with his ex. It seems like she’s changed, and he still has feelings for her, but they had so many struggles before.

3. He wants to ask someone out—but since it’s someone he sees every day, he fears it’ll be excruciatingly awkward if they say no.

4. She wants to reveal the truth about herself or about a situation, but fears her family or friends will abandon her…or fears she’ll be harassed, fired, or publicly excoriated.

5. They think their partner, friend, or family member is guilty of a crime…but they keep telling themselves it can’t be possible, since they love this person and have always trusted them.

6. His partner, parent, or employer is engaging in shady dealings. He knows he should put a stop to it…but he benefits greatly from it.

7. She wants to quit her job, but her family is relying on her.

8. He wants to end her marriage, but worries about the impact it would have on the children.

9. She’s been told divorce is a sin, but her marriage is making her life miserable.

10. He’s torn between a safe, lucrative path and taking a chance on something he’d rather do—like start a new business, go on a quest, or pursue a creative career.

11. She wants to take a dangerous job, but worries about what would happen to her children if she died.

12. If he takes the action he wants to take, his mother or father will disown him.

13. She wants to marry for love, but feels she owes it to her family to marry for money…or to marry a foreign member of the nobility, for diplomatic reasons.

14. He hates his field of study or his career, but he thinks everyone will look down on him if he switches to a less prestigious course of study or occupation that he would like better.

15. She’s doing something that she feels is necessary for the common good, but she hates it that it forces her to lie to family, her partner, or her best friend.

16. Their fear of failure is keeping them from going after what they really want.

17. Common sense (or his skeptical peers) tell him that it’s time to give up on his dream, since he’s had no success so far…but he doesn’t want to give up now.

18. The promise of an exciting new relationship conflicts with her image of herself or the kind of person she thinks she “should” be.

19. She doesn’t believe she has the skills, competence, or knowledge to succeed in a role or do what needs to be done.

20. Because of a past mistake, she thinks she doesn’t deserve to be happy.

21. Because of a past mistake, he’s lost faith in his own judgement or abilities. (This is the inner conflict for one of my characters in the novel I’m writing now!)

22. She’s isolated and lonely, but because of a past trauma, she doesn’t trust others. (This is the conflict for my other character!)

23. To save his community, his country, or the world, he has to give up on his own dreams. (I got this idea from It’s a Wonderful Life. )

24. Being in a particular relationship will mean giving up on one or more of the things he was hoping for in his ideal relationship.

25. She wants to be successful, but she also believes it’s selfish to want that.

26. He’s starting to suspect that things his community or society taught him are very wrong.

Oops, I threw in an extra one! No extra charge. 🙂

In general, if you think about situations where society, logic, family, or friends are telling a person one thing, but their heart is telling them another, you’ll discover compelling inner conflict.

If you love writing inspiration, I hope you’ll check out my book Master Lists for Writers . Lots of authors use it to find their inspiration for stories![spacer height=”20px”]

[spacer height=”20px”]And whether you’re writing a short story, a script, or a novel, I hope these examples were helpful!  If you don’t want to miss future posts about writing, be sure to follow the blog—there’s a place you can sign up at the left. Thanks for dropping in, and happy writing!

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11 thoughts on “ internal conflict: 25 examples for writers ”.

Awesome thought provokers, Bryn! I also wanted to say…love your new photo…it personifies your personality!

I love posts with examples! Thanks, Bryn! 🙂

Those are wondeful examples.

**wonderful

I love this list. It jumpstarted my brain on how to improve the story in a manuscript I’m about to start. You’re lists are always so helpful. Thanks Bryn!

This is a terrific story-building list! So useful to all of us. Thank you for sharing Bryn.

Perhaps if you have time, you could comment on my blog at naomiplane.com

Could you give some External Conflict examples? It would be wonderful! I’m so glad I discovered you, reading your blogs have helped me so much!

• Pingback: Writing Conflict in Children’s Stories – Two Basic Types | Writing for Children with Karen Cioffi

Love this post! I too am writing a story with a character who can’t trust himself because of harm he did to his best friend. I have just recently found your website, and, as a young aspiring writer, have learned so much already!

Hi Lillance! I’m so sorry for the belated reply. I’m so glad you like the website! And it sounds like you have a great internal conflict there. Good luck on your writing!

• Pingback: The Art of Balance: Information and Entertainment Balancing in Storytelling - Podcast Smartly

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37 Internal Conflict Examples (In Literature & Film)

Internal conflict is one of two types of conflict within literature and film ( the other being external conflict ).

Internal conflicts are all about internal emotional struggles. The main character must struggle and fight within themselves to achieve the courage or inner realization to overcome their inner weaknesses. Their mind is the struggle, rather than something external to themselves.

A great example of an inner conflict is that of Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequels, who fights in his mind between his innate evil and innate good, until he is overcome by the “dark side” and chooses evil.

Below, I’ll provide thirty-seven examples – both from real literature and once I’ve made up – that you can use as stimuli for your own plots.

Internal vs External Conflict

Internal conflict and external conflict are two fundamental types of conflict featured in literature and film .

• Internal conflicts occur within a character’s mind, involving struggles such as questioning their sense of self or battling internal desires that threaten to consume them. A typical example is Hamlet’s hesitation between seeking revenge and tending to his duties.
• External conflicts involve challenges from things outside of the main character – such as antagonist characters or natural disasters impacting the character’s life. An example is Ernest Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea,” where the protagonist struggles against the natural forces of the ocean as he tries to catch a fish.

Internal conflicts tend to provide an introspective look at the human condition: how characters react when facing temptations, guilt, identity crises or maturation. In comparison, external conflicts offer a broader perspective, shifting focus towards the protagonist in a fight against a damaging force that is threatening them or their family.

Types of Internal Conflict

There are two types of internal conflict: man vs self and man vs destiny.

The key difference between a “man vs self” plot and a “man vs destiny” plot lies in the nature of the conflict.

• Man vs Self: In a “man vs self” plot , the central conflict emerges from an emotional struggle. This internal conflict could be related to their values, fears, or issues. It creates tension with the individual’s sense of identity, forcing them to change in order to achieve resolution – such as depicted in “The Great Gatsby,” where Jay Gatsby battles between his desire for love and success while working through his insecurities.
• Man vs Destiny: in a “man vs destiny” plot, the central conflict emerges when an individual faces an inner struggle between what they want and what destiny commands of them. Here, the protagonist fights against their destiny but, in most cases, comes to the realization that they need to come to terms with their pre-determined destiny.

Internal Conflict Examples

I’ve broken the following examples of internal conflicts into five literary themes : fear of failure, quest for self-identity, conflict between desires and duties, internal struggle between good and evil, and fighting one’s own destiny.

Fear of Failure (Man vs Self)

One of the most iconic representations of man vs self conflict surrounding the fear of failure is portrayed in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel “The Great Gatsby”.

The main protagonist, Jay Gatsby, is constantly battling an internal conflict between his dream for a future with his long lost love and his fear that he will never attain it.

In this story, Gatsby’s quest for Daisy Buchanan leads him to amass wealth and flaunt it at extravagant parties in hopes of winning her back.

However, deep down, he fears that he may not be good enough for her and that his past may catch up to him, causing him to fail in achieving his ultimate dream of being reunited with Daisy. This inner turmoil ultimately leads him to make questionable decisions and leads to his downfall.

Fear of Failure Ideas:

• A talented athlete who lost a big game must overcome a fear of failure before the final championship match.
• A journalist suffering from writer’s block must confront their past mistakes and their fear of not being good enough to write an investigative piece on a corrupt corporation.
• An aspiring musician prepares for an audition with the biggest record label but struggles to conquer his own insecurities and self-doubt about his talent.
• A young girl afraid of water has her courage put to the test when trapped during a flood and must rescue herself and others to survive
• In order to save the lives of his fellow soldiers, a soldier has to fight through his personal demons that are holding him back from fulfilling his duties.

Quest for Self-Identity (Man vs Self)

A great example of the man vs self conflict with a quest for identity is represented in Ralph Ellison’s masterpiece “Invisible Man.”

The protagonist, an unnamed young black man, grapples with his own sense of self in a racist and violent society.

Living in mid-20th century America, he experiences alienation and marginalization at every turn as he navigates through various relationships and social situations that challenge who he fundamentally is.

Through his journey to find himself, the protagonist learns to face his own fears and emotions as well as confront the misconceptions that have shaped him into someone other than himself. The novel highlights how discovering one’s identity takes time, patience and courage in a world that can diminish your value based on race or class.

Quest for Self-Identity Ideas:

• In order to understand a family estrangement, a young woman in the suburbs embarks on a road trip to reconnect with lost relatives and her neglected cultural roots.
• The struggle of an adopted child searching for their biological parents leads them on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
• A college student studying abroad in Japan immerses herself in the culture and language to find a deeper understanding of her multiracial identity as well as belonging.
• A rebellious teenage girl from an affluent family goes on a cross-country hitchhiking journey, where she looks for introspection , realization and individually apart from social stigmas 
• After being diagnosed with amnesia, a man uncovers repressed memories leading him on quest that forces him to face past traumas and rediscover his true identity.
• A budding artist struggles to find his place in the competitive New York art scene while trying to reconcile with his working-class upbringing
• In pursuit of answers about her true heritage, a mixed-race woman travels to different countries meeting family members previously unknown creating interesting confrontations between race and its definition across different cultures.

Inner Conflict between Desires and Duties (Man vs Self)

A famous example of inner conflict between desires and duties is found in the classic Shakespearean play, “Hamlet.”

Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark, is torn between his desire for revenge against his uncle Claudius for killing his father and his duty to the kingdom as a future king.

Hamlet’s mind is consumed by feelings of betrayal, anger and despair, yet he recognizes that his personal vendetta may exact a heavy toll on Denmark.

Throughout the play, Hamlet battles with himself as he tries to balance honor with justice as well as find resolution amidst mental strife.

His internal struggle portrays beautifully how one can be conflicted between two powerful emotions that compel them in different directions creating an intricate inner battle.

Conflict between Desires and Duties Ideas:

• A first-year medical resident has to decide between helping a critically ill patient by breaking protocol and remaining professional in the face of imminent danger.
• A lawyer has to choose between upholding his moral values and defending his client, who’s linked with crime.
• The life of a career-driven woman struggling between her passion for art and responsibility for handling her father’s business empire, questioning if she should follow her heart or continue legacy? 
• A mother must balance personal ambition with parental responsibilities when offered a job promotion that requires long-term hours away from home.
• An army corporal is conflicted about following orders from higher-ups now that he knows they intend to commit atrocities against an enemy, contradicting with his sense of right and wrong.
• A suburban housewife struggles with the desire to have an affair with the high school football coach, knowing full well that it might break up her perfect suburban family.
• The protagonist of an action-adventure film finds herself tempted to abandon her teammates to pursue a personal vendetta against the main villain instead of staying loyal to the mission objective.
• In order to save the life of someone they care about, a paramedic decides whether or not to disobey protocol protocols which would jeopardize take permanent punishment.

Battle Against Destiny (Man vs Destiny)

“The Lion King” is a classic tale representing the inter-conflict of protagonist vs destiny.

Simba, the heir to Pride Rock, is fated to become king and rule his land righteously upon his father’s death.

However, an unforeseeable tragedy strikes as his uncle Scar manipulates Simba into running away thereby usurping the throne.

The young cub finds himself at odds with destiny as he grows up in self-imposed exile with no real knowledge of how to take back what belongs to him.

Guided by personal growth , Simba learns valuable lessons about family, responsibility and leadership that will help him take on the challenge that awaits when it comes time for him to face his fears and fulfill his destiny to rule over Pride Rock once more and restore order in the animal kingdom.

He ultimately defeats Scar once and for all. He learns he cannot alter fate nor ignore past traumas tied to it. He must develop the maturity to take control and finally secure a bright future for the good of his clan.

Battle Against Destiny Plotline Ideas:

• A young couple tries desperately to be together, but fate seems determined to keep them apart.
• A film starts with the closing scene, showing to everyone that the main character dies. Throughout the film, we see the character evading near misses, but at the end of the day, we know fate will catch up with him.
• A cancer survivor learns how to find joy in life again, despite battling with the fear that destiny has something else waiting for her.
• Despite having no training or experience when it comes to science or technology, an engineer cannot help being drawn towards creating an innovative device, simple curiosity driving him in what is surely shaping up as an uphill battle against destiny.
• The protagonist is destined for failure by their birthplace and socio-economic status which affects their pursuit of education and ensures hardship all through their life; ultimately leading him to confront his failure to escape classism in modern society.
• The leader of a group hostage situation debates with himself over whether he should sacrifice himself for the good of the other hostages, before realizing that his whole life has been preparing him for this inevitable conclusion to his life. 
• Despite knowing that cancer runs in his family tree almost acutely; never did anyone prepare him for what happens when he gets diagnosed at a relatively younger age than anticipated?

Internal Struggle between Good and Evil (Man vs Self)

The “Star Wars” prequel trilogy offers a complex portrayal of a character battling an internal struggle between good and evil.

Anakin Skywalker, commonly known as Darth Vader, begins as a heroic Jedi Knight with strong moral convictions who yearns to liberate the galaxy from darkness. However, he finds himself constantly torn between his duty to protect people and his selfish desires to be a strong rule of the galaxy.

As the story progresses, Anakin gradually succumbs to his darker impulses — he becomes consumed by fear and falls out of favor of this once-respected hero pushing him towards embracing villainy ultimately becoming Sith Lord Darth Vader.

Anakin’s internal conflict demonstrates how the notion that good and evil exist within everyone—embodying a sort of duality within humanity that we don’t always recognize.

Internal struggle between good and evil plot ideas:

• After being released from prison, a former criminal must confront his dark past and decide whether to continue down the path of crime or start anew.
• A detective investigating a string of murders begins to question their own morality as they become increasingly violent in their quest to bring the killer to justice.
• A young person with superpowers struggles with the responsibility that comes along, reconciling the need for justice against the desire to take vigilante action.
• An angel who has fallen from Heaven is conflicted between their sense of duty to God and curiosity about the sinful practices down on earth.
• A nurse takes advantage of elderly patients by stealing money and painkillers. She grapples with the guilt, realizing she had succumbed to her own sense of power.
• After making poor choices leading up till now, a soldier in war-torn lands questioning if harm done on the battlefront was really morally right, or simply covered up by his own self-serving justifications?
• As a teacher discovers an unsettling history within her institution, she’s torn between covering up an inconvenient truth or taking it public.
• Curiosity leads a former police officer down into corruption which ultimately affects life events, culminating in a crisis where the protagonist is forced to step forward and confess his wrongs. 
• A rebellious teen who has been wreaking havoc on the streets begins to question his behavior, and is torn between loyalty to his bad-influence friends and desire for a more moral life.
• A scientist experiments on living subjects trying to break ground with groundbreaking research involving rare illnesses, questioning it is justifiable to harm people against their will for the good of science.

Internal conflict helps to draw a plot forward and develop depth in its characters. It can draw the reader in and develop emotional connection between the reader and the characters. Take inspiration from the above examples, but also use your own creativity to develop your own unique inner struggles that resonate with you and your own stories you want to tell.

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ Social-Emotional Learning (Definition, Examples, Pros & Cons)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ What is Educational Psychology?
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ What is IQ? (Intelligence Quotient)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 5 Top Tips for Succeeding at University

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Internal vs. External Conflict: Examples, Tips, and Why Your Story Needs Both

by Holly Riddle

Every great story hinges on conflict.

Think about it. In every compelling story—whether it be a novel, fairytale, movie, play, etc.—the plot only occurs because your individual characters have problems. The conflict is the story, the driving force moving plot forward.

There are two different types of core conflict in fiction: internal and external conflicts. However, for beginning writers especially, one type of conflict often gets the brunt of the attention while the other can be overlooked or left out completely.

Here’s what you need to know about both types of conflict, how they contribute to your character arc, and how to make them work together for the most compelling stories possible.

The difference between internal and external conflict

External conflict refers to the problems happening outside of your central character: a monster, a villain, a social injustice.

Internal conflict refers to the problems or conflict happening inside your character: addiction, uncertainty, fear. The most effective stories will incorporate both types of conflict to give nuance to the character development and plot.

Think of external vs. internal conflict like this: External conflict is the monster waiting in the woods to fight your protagonist. It’s the villainous corporation tearing down the town park to build a mall. It’s the hurricane that’s approaching your character’s home. Meanwhile, internal conflict is your character’s secret fear that they can’t possibly overcome the monster . It’s their shame that they might actually like the idea of a new mall coming to town. It’s their struggle to evacuate knowing their home might be destroyed.

Depending on the particular story, either the external or internal conflict will be more important. One of them might be a secondary conflict. However, you always need both to move your story forward.

Uncovering a story’s external conflicts

External conflict always stems from outside forces working against your character; however, that’s really where the rules end. This major conflict can be really anything your character conflicts with.

External primary conflict (as well as secondary, minor conflicts) can appear in a few ways. Interpersonal conflict comes from other characters whose goals are in direct opposition with the protagonist’s goal. Social conflict comes from antagonistic or oppressive influences in the protagonist’s culture, political landscape, or community.

Your external conflict might also come from the environment or natural disasters (this is known as nature conflict), supernatural forces or beings, or even the main character’s destiny.

You can take a deeper look at all these different types of conflicts here .

Uncovering a story’s internal conflicts

Internal conflict, meanwhile, must come from within your character’s mind. Think about how often you might deal with your own internal conflicts or internal battles on a regular basis, in real life.

Do you go home to visit your parents for the weekend, even though you know it’s bad for your mental health, or do you deal with the guilt of telling them ‘no’? Do you indulge in the pint of ice cream to alleviate your feelings of stress in the moment, or do you go for a run, even though it’s the last thing you want to do?

Internal conflict obstacles arise when a character’s inner wants or needs go against what they’re trying to achieve. Sources of internal conflict include one’s own morality or philosophical beliefs, one’s background and past experiences, one’s changing identity, one’s self-image, etc.

In most cases, internal conflict is linked to what some writers call a character’s “thorn.” What’s the thorn in your character’s side that nags at them, day in and day out, making their life difficult? The “thorn” impacts everything your character does, because they’re constantly trying to escape the uncomfortable feeling it causes (whether or not they consciously realize it).

Here’s an example: let’s say a character’s thorn is that they believe that they’ll never be good enough, because that’s what a parental figure always told them. They may think they’re over this verbal abuse and may have gone no-contact with the parental figure, but they still find themselves developing perfectionist tendencies in order to “prove” that they’re good enough. They can’t deal with criticism in the slightest. They don’t take chances if they know there’s a strong chance they could fail, they don’t engage in risky behavior, and they never let anyone see their weaknesses.

However, suddenly, something arises in this character’s life that requires them to make a chance, to be vulnerable, and to risk failure. Thus, internal conflict is born.

How to connect internal and external conflicts

You’ll need to balance internal and external conflict if you truly want to create believable, interesting, layered characters and plot lines. After all, no one’s life is all external conflict and no internal conflict, or vice versa. Conflict arises, every day, both internally and externally.

That said, you don’t want to just decide to give your character an external problem and a completely unrelated, separate internal problem, and call it a day. The problems should be linked and work together in cohesion.

Here are a few ways to go about it.

1. Use the cause-and-effect approach

One of the easiest ways external and internal conflicts are combined in modern stories? One causes the other. Usually it’s the external forces causing the internal conflict, but not always; you add external conflict that drives your character’s related internal struggle.

Maybe your character’s external problem is that they need money. They have no job and are down on their luck, but there’s a pressing need for cash ASAP because rent is due or there’s a sick family member, a debt collector has come calling, etc. They know that they could make some quick money in an unsavory manner, but that would go against their core moral beliefs—and there’s your internal conflict.

In contrast, maybe your character’s internal conflicts come first. Let’s say that they think that they might be in love with their neighbor. Nothing in the external world has changed for them, but they just woke up one day, glimpsed him outside the window, and now they think that they’re in love. Unfortunately, the neighbor is married and that presents character-on-character external conflict for your protagonist, and so they spend the remainder of the plot trying to get rid of the poor, unsuspecting spouse.

2. Make one type of conflict stand in the way of solving the other

While you can’t have a plot without conflict, you also can’t have a plot if your character isn’t actively trying to overcome or escape that conflict. Because of this, one way that you can interweave internal and external conflict is by ensuring that one stands in the way of the other.

For example, maybe your main character’s main source of external conflict is that they need to win a big promotion at work in order to pay for their upcoming wedding. However, they really don’t want to spend all that much on a big, fancy wedding, as dropping such a large amount of cash on a frivolous affair scares them, but they’re going through with it because of their spouse-to-be.

So, their internal conflict keeps them from really going for the promotion, but then that causes their fiancé to doubt their loyalty, which then, of course, causes more external conflict. In this case, only one conflict can be resolved.

On the flip side, maybe your character’s main source of internal conflict is that they feel that they can’t trust anyone around them due to their past. They’re working on resolving these issues in therapy, but then external conflict blows up in their face—their partner has been cheating on them, their boss lied to them, and their dog has been stealing their socks and hiding them under the couch for weeks. All this external conflict just proves to them that they can’t overcome their internal conflict.

3. Make solving one type of conflict worsen the other conflict

But let’s say that you’re actually nice to your characters one day and decide that, rather than making their lives worse, you’re going to let them solve either their external or internal conflict—except that in doing so, the other type of conflict in their life is going to worsen as a result (okay, so maybe you’re not being all that nice).

Maybe your main character, who has been struggling to fix their marriage (aka, external character-on-character conflict) throughout the entirety of the plot, finally overcomes their childhood-derived self-doubt and gains new self-love and confidence… but in doing so, drives away their spouse who doesn’t like the new-and-improved them.

Maybe your main character, who has been struggling with their personal dark side, finally overcomes their external conflict, winning the big showdown against their arch-nemesis… but in doing so, they take things a little too far and unleash the full wrath of their darkest behavior. The balance of conflict has been tipped.

4. Make solving one type of conflict inadvertently solve the other type of conflict

In contrast to the above, you can also make it so that solving the internal conflict resolves the external conflict or vice versa. This is a much simpler method and one that is often used to strengthen themes that deal with looking inward in order to solve external problems.

For example, a main character might be internally conflicted about whether they want to stay in their small town and take over the family business, or chase their big-city dreams; meanwhile, their external problem is that their small town announced it won’t be putting on its annual fall festival, which is its main source of tourism business, due to lack of resources. As such, your main character decides to rally the other local businesses together to save the town’s fall fest, and, in doing so, discovers they really love the area and want to stay.

Or maybe your main character, who has been struggling with their personal dark side, finally overcomes their external conflict and wins the big showdown against their arch-nemesis—and they discover that they have the strength to overcome anything. If they can take down the bad guy, they can take down their own personal demons.

Examples of stories that blend internal and external conflict effectively

So what are some great examples of stories that successfully blend internal and external conflict? While many novels do this, here are a few specific examples you might already be familiar with.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

In The Hunger Games the central conflict is pretty apparent, and this external conflict occurs right away. Our main character Katniss Everdeen must enter the Games and fight against other competitors who are trying to kill her.

However, this book is not without its fair share of internal struggles, including moral conflict. Katniss deals with her guilt over participating in the Games, wrestling with her own feelings about what she needs to do to win, and even her romantic feelings as she begins to fall for fellow competitor Peeta—while also using the relationship as a strategic advantage.

These internal conflicts affect the decisions that Katniss makes throughout the Games as she attempts to balance both her external and internal conflict, and the ways in which solving one of them (the external, or winning the Games) would likely worsen the other (her guilt and inability to adhere to her moral code).

The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien

In the first Lord of the Rings book, protagonist Frodo is tasked with carrying the Ring. This directly causes his external conflict, as suddenly his life is threatened by those who wish to take the Ring for their own. However, Frodo must also resist his own desires to use the Ring himself, causing an internal conflict. This is an example of how external conflict can lead to a character’s internal conflict, and both the external and internal conflict tie in with the book’s theme of good vs. evil.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling

In the first Harry Potter book, we see how a character can work toward overcoming both types of story conflict concurrently over an entire novel. The source of Harry’s external conflict is Voldemort’s attempts to acquire the sorcerer’s stone. Meanwhile, the internal conflict is Harry’s self-doubt and feeling like he doesn’t belong. However, as Harry works toward solving his external conflict, he’s inadvertently working toward solving his internal conflict, too, by creating a place for himself at Hogwarts, growing his skills, and believing in himself.

Story conflict occurs in many layers

Conflict drives every good story, and both types of character conflicts are necessary to create well-rounded, interesting characters and plot lines. Whether your characters are driven by external forces or fragile morality, you’ll find that incorporating conflict in several layers will make your writing even more engaging.

Not sure what kind of conflict you want to add to your story? Check out our 50-plus plot archetypes to get your creative juices flowing.

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Mastering The Art Of Writing A Great Conflict Essay

Table of Contents

… But how to write a conflict essay?

This task can become a real stone of stumbling for many students, especially when they write admissions essays.

The practice shows that students tend to describe conflicts in the one-dimensional narrative, where one side of the conflict is depicted as a knight in shining armor and the other side is a complete villain.

Of course, it is the simplest way to manage conflicts (as anyone sees clearly, who is right), however, this approach highlight the inability to give an unbiased assessment of both sides of the conflict.

Here we will cover the essentials of writing such essays and how to avoid the most common mistakes in the conflict papers.

Studying the basics of the conflict essay

What is conflict, and what are its causes? Is it possible to avoid it, and how to solve it? Who are the participants, and is there a possibility for them to have a peaceful order? Here are the main points that should be covered in your text.

But what are you going to write about?

Different vocabularies give so many different definitions of this term that it is so easy to be bamboozled by all these meanings.

• A war of a fight.
• A mental struggle.
• An opposition of persons or forces.
• Anything that sets the character back from achieving a specific goal (in fiction).

That is why it is crucial to read and understand the task before you start writing.

Writing guideline for the essays about conflict

Your journey to the perfect paper should start with the proper investigation:

• What is the type of conflict you are writing about?
• What are its reasons?
• What are the consequences?
• How to solve it?

Taking into consideration all mentioned above, it becomes clear that the disagreement between two people does not limit the type of conflict. It also may cover a conflict between a man and society or nature, or even a fight against self.

And do not forget about the key players: the protagonist and antagonist of the conflict.

As soon as you have defined the central conflicts and leading players, it is time to gather facts that prove this point of view. Arm yourself with a pen and start searching for the evidence of conflict in the literary work, if your task is to cover the conflict depicted in a novel or a poem.

You may use many sources for data collection; however, make sure that they are reliable and relevant. And do not forget to jot down the information about the source for proper referencing; otherwise, using materials without appropriate arrangement will be considered plagiarism.

Carefully analyze gathered material and single out a precise thesis statement that will be the basis of the paper. Later it will become the last sentence of the introduction, but now it is the basis of the outline for your essay on conflict. The basic outline template for such paper will look like this:

• A hook sentence – an interesting fact, question, quote, or anecdote.
• Introduction part that makes readers aware of the conflict.
• Thesis statement.
• 3 body paragraphs , each with one issue of the conflict and several proofs.
• Address whether the conflict was resolved or not.
• You may also discuss the ways of avoiding or solving the conflict.
• The conclusion  should cover the main points of the paper with the rephrasing of a thesis.

Breaking down a personal conflict essay

Two types of conflict can be covered in the essay – personal and internal. Personal, on its turn, can be divided into a conflict between people, or a person and organization, or a person and a state (especially in the countries of the totalitarian regime).

Usually, students prefer to describe their own conflict experience, for example, with parents or peers. In this case, one has to define the purpose of writing as thereon hangs the tone of the text. For example, the aim is to show that there are no right or wrong, but two legitimate points of view.

Then the tone of the paper will be empathic as the writer has the insight into the opposite point of view and there are two sides of every story.

What about an internal conflict essay?

Such essays deal with the psychological conflicts inside one person. Thus, they discuss what happens when we have to do something that is against ethical standards or values, or the clash of logical and emotional response to something.

Here much prominence should be given to the ways of overcoming this conflict and as a result, becoming a better person.

And in both cases, it is necessary to follow these guidelines to improve the quality of the text:

• Pay attention to the task requirements: do not exceed the word limit , arrange the quotes according to the chosen referencing style, format the paper properly.
• Make sure that the paper is plagiarism-free .
• Edit and proofread the text.

Take advantage of a well-written conflict essay example

As they say, seeing once is better than hearing twice. When you look through a top-notch paper written by a professional writer, everything clicks into place.

What is more, you can use such paper as a template for your own paper and as a source of inspiration.

…What’s not to love?

Can’t complete such task in time? Entrust it to the professionals! Save time and energy, while your flawless paper will be ready for you in no time!

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External and internal conflict: Examples and tips

Conflict is a key ingredient of an engrossing story. ‘Internal conflict’ and ‘external conflict’ are two terms you’ll often hear when people discuss character creation. Read definitions of these types of story conflict, then how to use them to develop your story:

• Post author By Jordan
• 13 Comments on External and internal conflict: Examples and tips

Conflict is a key ingredient of an engrossing story. ‘Internal conflict’ and ‘external conflict’ are two terms you’ll often hear when people discuss character creation. Read definitions of these types of story conflict, then how to use them to develop your story:

Internal conflict vs external conflict: Definitions

In fiction, ‘internal conflict’ refers to a character’s internal struggle.

A character might struggle with an emotional problem such as fear of intimacy or abandonment, for example. Internal conflict is important for characterization, since flaws and internal struggles make characters more lifelike and sympathetic .

External conflict, on the other hand, refers to the conflicts between a character and external forces.

This type of conflict can be between one character and another or a group (or between groups of characters). It can also be between a character and more abstract forces. For example, a bleak and hostile environment in a post-apocalyptic novel.

Both types of conflict , internal and external, are useful because they create:

• Tension: Because of conflict’s uncertainty, we want to know how it resolves and keep turning pages to find out
• Stakes: Conflict suggests worst-case outcomes and makes resolution urgent (the hero must overcome the antagonist/environment or themselves ‘or else…’)
• Character development: Conflict allows for dramatic incidents and confrontations that test characters and cause them to learn and adapt

So how do you use external and internal conflict to develop characters?

1: Make both types of conflict obstacles

Accomplished authors use both external and internal conflict to give their characters serious obstacles to reaching their goals.

In Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings  cycle Frodo and his co-travelers must face external conflicts as well as internal ones. They encounter hostile creatures such as orcs and wargs, impassable terrain, alongside their own fears and weaknesses.

Frodo’s friend and sidekick Sam is initially fearful of their quest. Over the course of the story cycle, Sam gains courage as they progress towards Mordor. We see Sam’s internal conflict, and then we see how external conflicts pit him against his internal struggle, forcing him to grow.

In a romance novel, conflicts keep characters apart or throw existing relationships in jeopardy. Take Nicholas Sparks’ The Notebook , for example. Allie’s snobbish and disapproving mother is a source of external conflict that delays the lovers’ reunion after their first romantic encounters.

Sparks adds poignant internal conflict to this external source. His aging protagonists battle with medical conditions that place obstacles in their relationship. Even once the characters overcome primary external conflicts, internal conflict (in this instance, self vs mind and body) remains.

[For more of our top posts on character goals and motivations, see our character writing hub .]

2: Plan how external and internal conflicts affect each other

Dividing conflict into ‘internal’ vs ‘external’ can be misleading, since the two are linked. For example, in a romance, a character who fears abandonment might be clingy towards their lover. This in turn might create external conflict when the other character feels smothered. Plan how these internal and external conflicts feed into each other .

For example, picture a character who is independent and hates asking for help. How would this complicate their survival in an environmental disaster? Will they need to learn to rely more on others and ask for help? This is an example of how external conflict can be a crucible for character development. External conflicts can pit characters against their own internal conflicts, forcing them to renegotiate their beliefs and priorities.

Develop your story outline online

Develop your story outline in easy steps and get help when you need it.

3: Give characters opposing internal conflicts

Opposing internal conflicts between characters may build confrontation and drama, but also attraction. For example, a messy character who struggles to not be chaotic might annoy a ‘neat freak’ who is obsessive about order. Yet the same neat character could find this trait intriguing. Differences that spark conflict are also the differences that attract people to one another.

In the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind , for example, Kate Winslet’s character Clementine is a flighty and impulsive extrovert. Jim Carrey’s character Joel, whom she meets on a train, is a melancholic introvert by contrast.

Initially, Clementine is attracted to Joel and enjoys teasing him about his intensity and seriousness. But over time, each character’s internal conflict – Clementine’s fear of boredom and stasis and Joel’s fear of unpredictability – become sources of mutual frustration and hostility.

Through giving each character an opposing internal conflict that contains the seed for conflict, Charlie Kaufman (the scriptwriter) creates a development arc for each primary character that feels believable, even inevitable.

Develop your story outline online and find character conflicts using th Now Novel dashboard. 

4: Use multiple, related internal and external conflicts

A character doesn’t have to only have one internal conflict over the course of your entire novel. Take, for example, a character who struggles to be in a relationship because they struggle with anxiety and self-doubt. What new internal conflicts might arise if they discover new-found confidence?

Perhaps they are not used to having the confidence to actively choose or leave their significant other. This in turn creates anxiety about whether or not they’ve made the ‘right’ choice. One internal conflict resolving can thus leave space for a new one to arise.

5: Plan character arcs alongside internal and external conflicts

Credible characters are human like us. One of the reasons Greek mythology is potent (and narrative epics like Homer’s Odyssey are still read and taught) is because the Greek Gods are just like people. Like ordinary mortals, they’re prone to love, jealousy, conflict and error.

When creating a character for your novel, create a cheat sheet for internal and external conflicts they will grapple with. For example, this could be a character conflict cheat sheet for Odysseus’s wife in Homer’s Odyssey :

Character name: Penelope Who and where: Wife of Odysseus, awaits his return in Ithaca Internal conflict:  Doesn’t know if Odysseus is still alive and unsure whether or not to take his advice to remarry if he has not returned from war. External conflict:   She’s besieged by persistent suitors vying for her hand in marriage, forcing her to find ways to deter them until she receives word of Odysseus.

Get novel help and brainstorm believable conflicts, characters and themes .

Related Posts:

• Making external conflict compelling: 6 ideas
• Using conflicts in a story: 6 helpful conflict examples
• How to write deep POV: 8 tips and examples
• Tags character development , external conflict , internal conflict

Jordan is a writer, editor, community manager and product developer. He received his BA Honours in English Literature and his undergraduate in English Literature and Music from the University of Cape Town.

13 replies on “External and internal conflict: Examples and tips”

This is a great way of looking at character conflict. Would you say that another way to create internal struggle is to give a character two goals that conflict with each other? For example, in a romance, one lover struggles with wanting to feel independent and believes that being in a relationship impedes that, but at the same time, also loves the other character and wants to be in a relationship with them?

Thank you, Jordan. Definitely, people often hold conflicting or competing wants and desires.

Yes, I agree with Jordan McDowell here – great way to see conflict and use conflict! My issue has always been how the external problem relates to the internal problem – and finding a way to connect them. Any workshops or further posts in the pipeline to practice that?

Hi Melithecat, thank you for the feedback! That’s a great suggestion, we’ll put together a resource on this aspect of conflict in fiction in the near future 🙂

Thank you for such an insightful post! I have passed this on to fellow writers to help them enrich their books.

Hi Susan, thank you for the kind feedback and for sharing our articles. Happy New Year and all the best for your writing.

What is the answer

What is the question, Irish?

This is a fantastic article, thank you.

this helped me understand but did not answer the question which one is more external or internal

Hi Natalia, I’m glad to hear that this helped though I’m sorry to hear it didn’t answer your question. Could you perhaps clarify what your question is – to what does ‘one’ refer? Thank you for reading our blog.

Great Job! I like your example with Penelope.

Hi Richard, thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed this article and thank you for sharing your feedback.

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Internal Conflict In Macbeth

Macbeth is a play written by William Shakespeare that tells the story of Macbeth, a Thane of Scotland who is told by three witches that he will become the King of Scotland. Macbeth is conflicted with this information because he knows that he would have to commit many crimes in order to take the throne. Macbeth’s wife, Lady Macbeth, also encourages him to kill Duncan, the current king, in order to take the throne for themselves.

Macbeth struggles with his conscience and eventually kills Duncan out of fear that he will be caught. Macbeth is then crowned the king and his reign is full of violence and bloodshed as he tries to retain his power. Macbeth’s internal conflict is a result of his ambition and his conscience. Macbeth wants to be king, but he also knows that it will come at a high price. His conscience constantly reminds him of the crimes he has committed and the innocent people who have died because of him.

Macbeth’s internal conflict leads to his downfall and eventual death. Conflict is an important theme in Macbeth because it drives the plot and causes characters to make difficult decisions. Shakespeare uses conflict to create tension and suspense in the play. Macbeth is a fascinating character because he is both admirable and despicable. He is a tragic hero who is destroyed by his own ambition.

Examine how conflict between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is depicted over the course of the play, focusing on how Shakespeare depicts the growth of their characters and the changing nature of their relationship. Throughout the play, Shakespeare addresses the topic of conflict in a number of ways. From internal conflicts among individuals and their deepest desires to debates involving characters and different viewpoints, as well as good vs evil struggle.

The Macbeths are one of the main sources of conflict in the play. This essay will explore the way Shakespeare presents their conflict and how it develops throughout the play.

Macbeth is a play written by William Shakespeare, probably between 1603 and 1606. Macbeth is set in Scotland and follows the story of Macbeth, who is told by three witches that he will become King of Scotland. Macbeth then murders Duncan, the current King, to take his place. Macbeth’s wife, Lady Macbeth, encourages him to commit these crimes and later starts to feel guilty about what they have done.

Macduff, a Scottish nobleman, learns about Macbeth’s crimes and leads a rebellion against Macbeth, who is eventually killed. The play ends with Macduff being crowned the new King of Scotland.

The main conflict in Macbeth is between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Macbeth is a brave warrior and Lady Macbeth is a strong woman, but they both have secrets that they are hiding from each other. Macbeth is afraid that he is not capable of becoming King and Lady Macbeth is afraid that Macbeth will be killed in battle. They both want to become King and Queen, but they also want to protect each other. This creates tension between them and leads to a number of arguments.

One of the first conflicts between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth occurs in Act 1, Scene 5. Macbeth has just been told by the witches that he will become King and Lady Macbeth is trying to find out more about the prophecy. Macbeth is reluctant to tell her anything, but she eventually convinces him to tell her what the witches said.

Macbeth starts to doubt himself and asks Lady Macbeth if she thinks he is capable of becoming King. She tells him that he is “not without ambition, but heaven doth with us as we with torches do” (1.5.17-18). This means that she believes that he has the ambition to be King, but that it is up to God whether or not he will become King. Macbeth is reassured by her words and decides to kill Duncan.

In Act 2, Scene 1, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth argue about whether or not Macbeth should kill Duncan. Macbeth is worried that Duncan might be protected by the gods, but Lady Macbeth tells him not to worry about that and to just do what needs to be done. This argument shows the increasing power that Lady Macbeth has over Macbeth and how she is starting to control him.

The conflict between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth reaches its peak in Act 3, Scene 4. Lady Macbeth has been sleepwalking and has been talking in her sleep about the murder of Duncan. Macbeth overhears her and is horrified. He starts to doubt himself and wonders if he is going mad. Lady Macbeth tries to convince him that she was just dreaming, but Macbeth is not convinced. This scene shows the breaking point in their relationship and how Macbeth no longer trusts Lady Macbeth.

Macbeth and Lady Macbeth never fully recover from the argument in Act 3, Scene 4. In Act 5, Scene 1, Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that he is going to kill Banquo. Lady Macbeth is worried about what will happen if Macduff finds out, but Macbeth does not listen to her. This scene shows how their relationship has changed and how Macbeth is now making decisions without consulting Lady Macbeth.

The conflict between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth ends with Macbeth’s death. In Act 5, Scene 8, Macduff confronts Macbeth and eventually kills him. This scene shows the final confrontation between Macbeth and his enemies and how Lady Macbeth is not able to protect him.

When Macbeth enters, Lady Macbeth claims that she can read what he wants to do in his face. This is her informing him that he was the one who originally came up with the idea so as to influence him into believing it was his idea.

Macbeth is hesitant but Lady Macbeth says that if he isn’t going to do it then she will and Macbeth backs down. When King Duncan arrives, Macduff is not present because he was “called away on urgent business. Macbeth greets King Duncan and Lady Macbeth does the same. Banquo asks Macbeth why Macduff was not there and Macbeth makes up an excuse. Banquo then asks about Macduff’s family and Macbeth lies again and says that they are all safe. This shows early signs of Macbeth’s guilt and his fear of getting caught.

Later, Macbeth has a vision of a bloody dagger and he is unsure whether to act on it or not. Lady Macbeth tells him that he is a coward and Macbeth decides to act on the vision. He kills King Duncan and his guards. Macduff returns to find out what happened and Macbeth murders him as well. This shows how Lady Macbeth’s words can push Macbeth to do terrible things.

Later, Macbeth is fighting against Macduff and Malcolm. He is losing and he knows it. Macduff tells him that he has killed innocent people and Macbeth replies “thou liest”. This shows that Macbeth still believes that he is in the right. He is willing to fight and die rather than admit that he has done wrong.

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Authenticity

When our inner world conflicts with our actions, understanding the gap between our values and behaviors..

Posted May 13, 2024 | Reviewed by Michelle Quirk

• We experience discomfort when our inner values do not align with our actions.
• The psychological toll of feeling out of control and unable to live up to our own standards can be damaging.
• Through reflection, understanding, and deliberate practice, we can move closer to our most authentic selves.

Almost everyone has experienced the feeling of discomfort when their inner values do not align with their actions. This universal struggle can manifest in various aspects of our lives, such as addiction , compulsive behaviors , or losing our temper, and can impact our mental well-being and relationships. The core issue is a dissonance between our actions and our ideal self-image .

We may find ourselves in scenarios where our behaviors do not align with our aspirations—for instance, an executive who values work-life balance yet works 80-hour weeks, ignoring their own health and family; a parent who values patience and understanding but snaps at their child in a moment of stress ; or an individual who aspires to live healthily but succumbs to the lure of junk food or cigarettes during moments of weakness. These examples highlight a common yet seldom discussed human experience.

This misalignment can have significant ramifications, including straining relationships, hindering personal and professional growth, and contributing to a cycle of self-sabotage . The emotional and psychological toll of feeling out of control and unable to live up to our own standards can be deeply damaging. The shame , guilt , and frustration accompanying these feelings often keep us silent, perpetuating a cycle of negative behavior and self-critique.

One reason for this silence might be the impulsive or reactive nature of our actions. Admitting to these behaviors can feel like exposing a weakness or flaw that society tells us should be kept hidden. Additionally, acknowledging this gap requires confronting uncomfortable truths about ourselves—a process that's as daunting as it is necessary for growth.

Recognizing and addressing these behaviors within the context of our family systems can provide a pathway to change. By understanding the origins of our reactions and behaviors, we can begin to unpack the layers of our actions and work toward realignment with our beliefs.

Research supports the idea that awareness, coupled with targeted strategies such as mindfulness , cognitive-behavioral techniques, and open communication, can facilitate this process. These methods help us pause, reflect, and choose responses that align more closely with our values, even in the face of old habits or immediate impulses.

The key to navigating this inner conflict lies in compassion for ourselves and others. By developing a culture of openness and understanding around the challenges of aligning our beliefs and behaviors, we can begin to break down the barriers to conversation and change. Acknowledging that this struggle is a shared aspect of the human experience can empower us to speak openly, seek support, and take actionable steps toward the harmony between our internal world and our external actions.

For instance, consider the case of Alex, who grew up in a household where success was measured by career advancement and financial stability. Despite achieving significant success in a corporate job, Alex felt unfulfilled and yearned for a career in the arts. This tension between Alex's values and the path chosen under familial and societal pressure led to internal discord. Recognizing this disconnect, Alex began to employ mindfulness techniques and openly conversed with family members about personal values and happiness . Through this process, Alex realized the importance of aligning actions with inner beliefs and boldly decided to transition into a career in art. This shift brought fulfillment and happiness to Alex and inspired family members to reflect on their own values and aspirations.

This example illustrates the powerful transformation that can occur when individuals confront and reconcile the gap between their actions and beliefs. By fostering awareness, practicing compassion, and seeking alignment with one's values, creating a life that feels authentic and fulfilling is possible. Encouraging open dialogue about such experiences can help demystify the process, making it more accessible for others to undertake similar journeys of self-discovery and change.

While the gap between our inner values and actions may be common, it doesn't have to define who we are. Through reflection, understanding, and deliberate practice, we can bridge the divide and move closer to living as our most authentic selves.

Ilene S. Cohen, Ph.D. , is a psychotherapist and blogger, who teaches in the Department of Counseling at Barry University.

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What Is the Meaning of the 'Inner Self'?

Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of The Anxiety Workbook and founder of the website About Social Anxiety. She has a Master's degree in clinical psychology.

The Inner Self

Importance of knowing your inner self, the outer self, balancing the inner and outer selves.

The inner self is the subconscious repository of your thoughts, memories, emotions, and other aspects of your mind that make up who you are. It's the private, internal part of yourself you generally do not share with others—the core of your being.

Being aware of your inner self and how it interacts with your outer self is an important part of good mental, physical, and spiritual health . It's a crucial element to consider when working toward and maintaining balance in your life.

The inner self comprises the parts of ourselves we keep private or share selectively, such as feelings, intuitions, values, beliefs, personality, thoughts, emotions, fantasies, spirituality, desire, and purpose . A strong inner self can help you deal with your emotions, stay self-aware, maintain clarity and values, and feel a purpose in life. It also can help you remain calm and resilient in the face of adversity.

The inner self is the crux of your identity; it's who you are at the core. Connecting with it is crucial for living your healthiest life. Meditate or practicing other mindfulness techniques and activities such as walking in nature:

• Can help with depression, anxiety, and other emotional issues
• Can raise self-esteem and confidence
• Can improve relationships through better communication
• Provides a "reality check" against outside events and situations
• Helps you align your actions with your intentions, thoughts, and feelings
• Can increase problem-solving skills and creativity

Your outer self is what you present to the world—the parts that you choose to allow others to experience, such as your appearance (hair, clothes, etc.), demeanor, speech, etc. Your outer self is like a shell, meant to protect and support your inner self as you cope with the demands of school, work, home, and other external concerns.

This external world can be demanding. Take time to consider whether the aspects of your outer self align with the values, expectations, and perceptions of your inner self.

Conflict Between Inner and Outer Selves

The inner and outer selves sometimes don't align, and this conflict can cause extreme discomfort. Essentially, you might think one thing (in your inner self) but behave differently (in your outer self). For example, a person who identifies as gay but is forced to "act straight" in public experiences distress because their inner and outer selves differ.

This conflict can arise when you don't spend enough time with your inner self—"running on empty," struggling to get through the demands of the day without considering whether your actions and behaviors are in line with your inner self.

The greater the conflict, the wider the difference between what the inner self believes is right and what the outer self does. This conflict ultimately causes stress that can damage the mind, body, and spirit.

The resulting stress can make you more vulnerable to illness and affect daily functioning. You might also be at risk of turning to quick "fixes" such as drugs and alcohol. 

How to Recognize Conflict Between the Inner and Outer Selves

Checking to see that your inner and outer selves are aligned is simply identifying gaps between your true values and your actions:

• Take a moment and list your core values like honesty, integrity, friendship, helpfulness, etc.
• Make a list of daily activities that align with each value —for example, calling friends to see how they're doing or telling the truth even when it's difficult.
• Look for values backed by few supporting actions . This is where you'll find conflict. If you value friendship but spend each day alone, there's a conflict between your values (inner self) and actions (outer self).

Once you've identified the problematic areas in your life, focus on quieting your outer self and connecting with your inner self. Slow down, focus on the moment, and listen to your thoughts as you go about your day.

If you still feel conflicted, consider the need for life changes to address these issues. Perhaps starting a new job, working on your relationship, or ending a friendship might be in order. Only you will know the specific changes that might bring you back into balance. Ask yourself:

• Does your life require you to stifle deeply held beliefs or some aspect of your identity?
• What do you most want to pursue in life? Does this match what you are doing?
• Will you feel good about the choices you are making now at the end of your life?

Thinking of the largest gaps first, ask yourself what changes you must make to align your inner and outer selves. For example, one person might change careers or reduce working hours to spend more time with family. Another might change their field of work to more closely align with a cause.

Some conflicts between the inner and outer selves are small enough to resolve easily. Even simple changes can help, such as slowing down each day and taking the time to talk and listen to others, rather than always rushing.

Your inner self is the very core of your being: your authentic self. Getting to know your inner self brings self-awareness, along with many other emotional and psychological benefits.

Tajadura-Jiménez A, Tsakiris M. Balancing the "inner" and the "outer" self: interoceptive sensitivity modulates self-other boundaries . J Exp Psychol Gen . 2014;143(2):736-744. doi:10.1037/a0033171

Zhang, Q., Wang, Z., Wang, X., Liu, L., Zhang, J., & Zhou, R. (2019). The effects of different stages of mindfulness meditation training on emotion regulation.  Frontiers in Human Neuroscience ,  13 , 459651. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2019.00208

• Ferguson J. Know and Connect Your Inner and Outer Self. https://www.lindajferguson.com/2013/09/know-and-connect-your-inner-and-outer-self/
• LaBier D.Building an Inside-Out Life - Part 1. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-new-resilience/201006/building-inside-out-life-part-1

By Arlin Cuncic, MA Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of The Anxiety Workbook and founder of the website About Social Anxiety. She has a Master's degree in clinical psychology.

The Role of Conflicts in Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Conflict in hamlet: essay introduction, internal conflict of hamlet, external conflicts in hamlet, works cited.

The play Hamlet is one of the appealing literary works of the world’s renowned play writer, William Shakespeare. The play is about one character that is, Hamlet who is the prince and son of the late king who was allegedly murdered by the current king Claudia. After his father’s death, Hamlet developed an erratic behavior trying to comprehend what could have been the cause of his father’s death.

In scene one, the ghost appeared to him and informed him that the wicked uncle that is, the present king Claudia caused his father’s death, Hamlet was agitated and swore to avenge his father’s death (Shakespeare 1). In scene four, King Claudia realized the intentions of Hamlet and plotted to kill him. What come out in the play are plots of death from the two main antagonists, Hamlet and King Claudia. The plots finally yield fruit when the play ends but none of them escapes death. Both of them died in the process.

A number of conflicts come out clearly in this play. The first conflict that comes out is the internal conflict on the side of Hamlet. He is perturbed by his father’s death and develops an erratic behavior. The conflict that Hamlet has with himself is first manifested when he visits Ophelia, the woman she was in love with. Despite his urge to tell her how much he was in love with her, he says nothing to her. He decided to walk away. The conflict is magnified after his encounter with the ghost.

In scene five, the ghost of his late father appeared to him urging him to kill the uncle, King Claudia, to avenge the death of his father, the former king. Immediately after the discussion, he was convinced and strongly resolved to kill the uncle. However, there ensued a deliberation in his mind. The mind was disturbed. His conscience was in agreement with his intentions. On one side, the mind told him that the ghost was genuine and that Claudia deserved death for his malicious acts against the former king. However, the other conscious was in doubt, questioning how genuine the ghost was.

Disturbed by this, he organized a play that involved a murder scheme following what the ghost had told him and ensured the uncle was there to witness the play. This would help him confirm or dispel the idea that the uncle was actually involved in the father’s murder. The uncle’s behavior when he realized the theme of the play left no doubt in Hamlet’s mind that he was the culprit. He planned to kill him. The internal conflict is once again reflected when he found the uncle praying. The uncle was in a prayer position. He wanted to kill him in that position but decided otherwise because the conscience could not allow him to do that. He was convinced that killing him when he was praying would send him straight to heaven, a place he did not belong.

He postponed his plans. His disturbed mind led him to visit Gertrude, the queen. They were involved in a heated debate. By bad luck, Polonius appeared. He killed Polonius, Ophelia’s father whom he suspected to be spying on him. He immediately regretted to have killed the father of the girl he loved. This piled more pressure on him.

Another conflict that comes out in this play is the conflict between Hamlet and King Claudia. Hamlet was convinced that King Claudia was solely responsible for his father’s death. He therefore planned to kill him to avenge his father’s death. King Claudia also realized that Hamlet was convinced that he was responsible for the late r king’s death. He realized the sinister plans Hamlet had against him and planned a counter attack.

The king sent Hamlet to sea and planned to murder him while there but Hamlet survived and came back home safe. As Hamlet looked for the best ways to eliminate the King, the King was also planning for the best means to launch a counter attack. The two were both on the run, each trying to eliminate the other in the best way possible. This conflict was brought to an end when the two characters died by the poison sword.

There is a conflict between Hamlet and his mother, Queen Gertrude. Gertrude was convinced that the son was hysterical after the death of his father while Hamlet wondered the role the queen could have played in the death of his father. Another conflict is between Hamlet and Lord Polonius and his sons. Lord Polonius and the sons were convinced that Hamlet was not actually in love with Ophelia, Lord Polonius’ daughter (Shakespeare 2). However, Hamlet was sure that he was in love with Ophelia. Polonius ensured that Hamlet stayed away from his daughter. He decided to work closely with the king to ensure Hamlet was finished. However, when Hamlet realized that Polonius was spying on him, he killed him instantly. This brings another serious conflict between Hamlet and Laertes, Polonius father.

Shakespeare, William. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare . The Tragedy of  Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, 1993.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Antigone — Moral Dillema and Inner Conflict in Antigone

Moral Dillema and Inner Conflict in Antigone

• Categories: Antigone Sophocles

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Published: Jun 29, 2018

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Inner Conflicts in Macbeth

Inner conflicts in Macbeth Macbeth was challenged by his inner conflicts throughout the whole play. He was unsure about the murdering of King Duncan and his best friend Banquo. Also, his attitude towards Lady Macbeth changed several times. King Duncan was beloved of his nobles and citizens because of his good qualities. He also entitled Macbeth the Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth should be the one who respected and supported him. However, the prophecy of the three witches that Macbeth was going to be the King of Scotland provoked Macbeth’s ambition.

He wanted to kill the king so that he could usurp the throne, but there were conflicts within him. He was Duncan’s kinsman and subject. He was also the king’s host. He should protect the king rather than kill the king. It was a mortal sin to kill one’s family member and his guest. What’s more, Duncan was a good king: He did good things in the government; he had great virtues and people loved him. And Macbeth would be judged if he killed the great king.

Many worries conflicted in Macbeth’s mind. However, his ambition eventually drove him to commit murder. The inner conflicts also took place when he was considering murdering Banquo. Banquo was his best friend. They allied and fought the rivals together; both of them heard the prophecy of the three witches. So Macbeth regarded Banquo as a threat because Banquo suspected that it was Macbeth who killed the king. And Banquo was a wise, valiant person, so he might tell everybody what he suspected.

Furthermore, Banquo’s son, Fleance, might become the king as the witches told, and Macbeth didn’t have any children. He was afraid that Fleance might take his throne. Considering those points, Macbeth decided to kill his best friend and Fleance. In the letter that Macbeth gave to his wife, he indicated that Lady Macbeth was his “dearest partner of greatness”. They plotted together to murder the king. Lady Macbeth taught Macbeth how to act like an innocent flower but be like the serpent that hid underneath the flower.

She also helped Macbeth to drug the guards and encouraged him a lot. It seemed like they got along very well, but Macbeth felt overwhelmed by his wife’s power. She dominated over Macbeth too much. So with the conflicts existing in himself, Macbeth decided to manipulate his own plan to kill Banquo. He left his wife” innocent of the knowledge” and drove her out of the plan. Above all, Macbeth had serious inner conflicts in the whole play. However, his ambition took over his apprehension and pushed him to all these evil deeds.

Author: Angel Bell