So, here’s the deal. I created this truly rancid character that was a real blast to mold and shape. However, in my endeavors at excellent storytelling, I have found this character thrown from the glories of the main character hierarchy and into the slums of secondariness – ie… I IKILLED THE JERK!
I did it to reveal that he wasn’t all that evil, merely the handmaid of something greater… of something more sinister still. It was completely unexpected, but I like the twist it has created so early in my novel. Also, I like that it has me questioning what the archetype of a “quality” villain really should be.
So, now I find myself asking, “What makes a truly relatable but truly hated villain?”
Let me know here your thoughts. I’m intrigued.
----------
79,227 / 50,000
Nov 5, 2009 - 16 50
Being the anime freak, what came to mind was InuYasha. The ultimate villain is Naraku, but he creates a lot of different incarnations of himself who do pretty terrible things. However, they merely do what he wants.
So, usually what I have found in this type of scenario
- this person has no remorse and will "kick you while you are down"
- cowardly to not take care of his own plan. Has someone do it for him while using something to blackmail his underlings
- the villain is powerful in their own right, but of course will fall to the protagonist in the end (if you intend your story to work out that way)
- may or may not have had a terrible past to make him the way he is now
- is not always insane. Some are or will be
there are more characteristics, but these are just a few I can think of.
----------Blondish.net | Mommy-Blogger.net
Me On Twitter | Me On Facebook
40,030 / 50,000
Nov 5, 2009 - 17 53
It depends on what you want to achieve.
A charismatic villain is someone who works against the hero, but not necessarily for evil. This villain is often like the hero, but flawed in some great way. As such, he or she is a wonderful enemy, but also a potential ally when a greater evil arises.
A diabolical villain is someone who works against the hero solely for the purpose of preventing him or her from accomplishing something. This is a pretty common type of villain, and he or she can require some creative quirks to remain interesting.
A pathological villain is someone who always acts in self-interest and who has little value for anyone else. This is the sort of villain who will shoot someone in cold blood without hesitation. I'd say this sort of villain is the most realistic of the group.
A criminally insane villain is someone who acts contrary to expectation and who does not follow convention. Often, this villain sees the world in a unique way and is concerned with an objective only a lunatic would consider, like mass destruction or kicking puppies. This is the hardest type of villain to pull off convincingly.
A bureaucratic villain uses the system to work against the hero. This often means using political intrigue and influence. This type of villain tends to be physically weak or flawed in some way, but extremely intelligent and devious.
A despotic villain is not necessarily evil, but self-interested. He or she lives by the code that "might makes right" and does not tolerate anyone weaker than him or her. Again, this sort of villain can become an ally after being defeated.
Hope that helps. I can think of other archetypes, but these are good to start with!
---------------
Sean J. Jordan
Municipal Liaison, Southern Illinois Region
Keep up to date on Southern Illinois NaNoWriMo events on our blog!
40,008 / 50,000
Nov 6, 2009 - 14 46
The villian is a person with a handlebar mustache which he twirls.
----------