Conflict is what is created when two diametrically opposed objectives are driving, with equal force, in different directions. Where there is conflict, there is drama. The conflict may be between two or more characters, as is true in most plays, no matter which century the play is written. In The Odd Couple, Oscar wants Felix to stop his nagging, while Felix wants to convince Oscar that he is a slob. Conflict may be between two individuals or a person and a group.
Conflict can be between an actor and an object.
It can be between a person and the world or within the person herself. But conflict there must be. Helping the young actor to understand the importance of objective, grasp the concept of action, and commit to conflict is one of the acting teacher's most difficult tasks. Student actors tend to be attracted to the overall emotional effect of a scene, rather than to the simplicity of discovering the character's objective. She proceeds to give me a history of the character in response.