Most good stories need a good villain. Within society today, the
villain is becoming increasingly humanized. No longer are villains a purely
evil force working against the heroes. Instead, villains are
characters with backstories, motivations, and other characteristics.
Recently, it seems increasingly that the villains, or rather
the antagonists, may be a more admirable character than the protagonists
themselves may. However, from a Christian standpoint, it seems wrong to like
the antagonist. How can I reconcile my beliefs with my appreciation
for a well-written antagonist?
The Black Knight at the Kaltenberger Ritterspiele Photo Credit: Lori Klein |
Some examples of sympathetic antagonists include Loki
from Thor, The Avengers, and Thor 2, Rumpelstiltskin
from Once Upon a Time, and the phantom from Phantom of the Opera.
I am certain that these characters may be debated as to their sympathetic
qualities, but I find them to be likeable characters, even though they are
villains.
Of course, not all villains have some tragic backstory. Many
antagonists are great because they are characters readers like to hate.
Some examples of these cruel villains are King Miraz from Prince Caspian,
James Moriarty from Sherlock Holmes, and Letah Drahkôn from The
Alliance Series.
As a writer, I may choose my favorite villains as
models for my own. Yet, I have to be careful, for often times I may like a
villain simply for his despicable nature.
From the reader's perspective, I prefer the antagonists with
redemptive quality, whether or not they really have an opportunity for change.
Many recent writers seem to play on the audience's expectation of
hope. Viewers and readers alike may hope for characters to act one way, but
they act another.
I believe there is much to learn from antagonists, not
just what not to do. Within my own life, I cannot play God, for people
are capable of making their own decisions no matter how many ways I wish they
would act.
However, I still struggle between liking villains and
maintaining good character. As a Christian, I am called to think on things that
are noble, pure, and virtuous (Philippians 4:8). Therefore, appreciating the
antagonist may seem like indulging sin nature. While I may not strive to act
like a villain, should I appreciate any of them at all?
What are your thoughts on antagonists? Do you have one or
more whom you appreciate?
Literary References: Marvel’s The Avengers, ABC Studio’s Once
Upon a Time, Gaston Leroux’s Phantom
of the Opera, C.S. Lewis’ Prince Caspian
from The Chronicles of Narnia, Sir
Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes collection,
L. Nicodemus Lyons’ The Alliance Series,
and the Holy Bible.