Which word refers to the struggle between characters (or forces) in the plot?

protagonist

conflict

antagonist

setting

Conflict is the word that refers to the struggle between characters (or forces) in the plot. It refers to the heated relationship between characters that is usually negative. Protagonist is the main good character in a novel, antagonist is the main bad character in a novel, and a setting is where the novel is taking place - it refers to the location and time.