I think great villains are the ones you don't expect- like women, because they're supposed to be nurturing and such. When a 'good guy' turns out to be bad-- always a great surprise. (Have you seen the TV show 'The Following'? Great use of good guys that are actually very bad guys!)
That said, one of my favorites is the Joker from the Dark Knight. He's just so unpredictable and completely insane-- yet so smart. A fabulously dangerous combination.
I'd definitely agree that the Joker from the Dark Knight is the first one that comes to mind.
There are so many theories about villains. Some people say insanity is over-used and that it produces shallow characters. That can be true, but not always (the Joker being the best example of how to do that right). I've also heard that the best villains are the ones who are the heroes of their own stories. Then again, I've also heard that having a villain who is evil for evil's sake is fine.
I try to steer clear of insanity and give my villains some kind of motivator, like greed or pride (usually a combination of both). I consider villains one of my weakest areas, to be honest.
A favorite kind of villain I have is the "mean girl" kind who use manipulation to get what they want. Why? Probably because, deep down, all women have a little mean girl in them.
The most painful kind of villain to watch is the one that evolves into a villain after you already care about them. I can't think of any examples off the top of my head, but it's just agony because you love them and the people they're being turned against.
I am sooo useless at villains! I have been trying to think of an answer to this question and failing miserably! So that said I will stay tuned in order to learn something ;-)
PS Blog award...well actually two because I know you love them so much! http://sleepyjoes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/its-awards-time.html
I would probably say that in my mind what constitutes a villain is someone who is ruthless, cunning, intelligent, selfish, grandiose, and narcissistic. Villains can be born, or made through circumstance.
Having a favorite villain is such a crapshoot. Calling someone like I described above a "favorite" begs the question of what is wrong with someone who favors someone like that. Because of that, I will separate out my villains--Real: Satan, Literary: Voldemort (Harry Potter), Television: Clay Morrow (Sons of Anarchy), Movie: Magneto (X-Men)
I think great villains are the ones you don't expect- like women, because they're supposed to be nurturing and such. When a 'good guy' turns out to be bad-- always a great surprise. (Have you seen the TV show 'The Following'? Great use of good guys that are actually very bad guys!)
ReplyDeleteThat said, one of my favorites is the Joker from the Dark Knight. He's just so unpredictable and completely insane-- yet so smart. A fabulously dangerous combination.
I'd definitely agree that the Joker from the Dark Knight is the first one that comes to mind.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many theories about villains. Some people say insanity is over-used and that it produces shallow characters. That can be true, but not always (the Joker being the best example of how to do that right). I've also heard that the best villains are the ones who are the heroes of their own stories. Then again, I've also heard that having a villain who is evil for evil's sake is fine.
I try to steer clear of insanity and give my villains some kind of motivator, like greed or pride (usually a combination of both). I consider villains one of my weakest areas, to be honest.
A favorite kind of villain I have is the "mean girl" kind who use manipulation to get what they want. Why? Probably because, deep down, all women have a little mean girl in them.
The most painful kind of villain to watch is the one that evolves into a villain after you already care about them. I can't think of any examples off the top of my head, but it's just agony because you love them and the people they're being turned against.
Anyways, that's my essay on villains, ha ha.
I am sooo useless at villains! I have been trying to think of an answer to this question and failing miserably! So that said I will stay tuned in order to learn something ;-)
ReplyDeletePS Blog award...well actually two because I know you love them so much!
http://sleepyjoes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/its-awards-time.html
I would probably say that in my mind what constitutes a villain is someone who is ruthless, cunning, intelligent, selfish, grandiose, and narcissistic. Villains can be born, or made through circumstance.
ReplyDeleteHaving a favorite villain is such a crapshoot. Calling someone like I described above a "favorite" begs the question of what is wrong with someone who favors someone like that. Because of that, I will separate out my villains--Real: Satan, Literary: Voldemort (Harry Potter), Television: Clay Morrow (Sons of Anarchy), Movie: Magneto (X-Men)
-Duckie