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- A villain is defined as an evil or wicked character that enacts evil action and/or harms others. A villain may have a justification for their actions that is in line with their own principles, but their actions inflict harm and create ruin in the process. This is not the same as an antagonist.
www.studiobinder.com/blog/types-of-villains/Types of Villains — 10 Forms of the Villain Archetype Explained
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Nov 6, 2022 · In this article, we’ll take a look at how to define a villain and how they might differ from an antagonist in a story. We’ll also analyze some iconic examples and what characteristics they share on their path to villainy.
Apr 16, 2023 · Whether they’re out for revenge or simply seeking power, every villain has their own unique motives and endless list of misdeeds. In this blog, we’ll explore the different types of villains that inhabit our stories and discuss how they differ from each other.
Jul 24, 2023 · If you're writing a novel and trying to figure out what makes a good villain, check off these 15 boxes to make sure yours is compelling and believable...
- The capacity for evil and a willingness to do bad things: A popular type of villain in Western storytelling embodies pure evil. Sauron in The Lord of the Rings is a wholly malevolent being whom Frodo and his fellow hobbits must prevent from destroying Middle Earth.
- A backstory that explains their villainous behavior: The best villains act in a way that is coherent. Some even began their lives as relatively good people.
- A complex range of emotions: Many literary villains are three-dimensional characters, showing a span of emotions, behaviors, and motivations. A comic book villain can skew somewhat more outrageous than the bad guys of a prose novel, but they should nonetheless have some grounding in the real world.
- A point of view that justifies their evil actions: Even the most evil villain operates from a perspective of personal righteousness. This is especially the case with villains who function as anti-heroes.
- The Classic Villain. Classic villains have no redeeming qualities. They’re simply there to act as a foil to the hero. They do bad things simply because they’re evil.
- The Anti-Villain. Anti-villains are bad guys who exhibit non-villain characteristics. They can have noble traits, values, and goals but their methods for achieving these goals are questionable or downright evil.
- The Beast. Beast villains are those who rely on their instincts and destructive abilities to achieve their goals. This type of villain is often found in horror and science fiction.
- The Authority Figure. Authority figures are villains who have achieved a position of power but still crave for more. They’re driven by a desire for wealth, prestige, or military strength, and they’ll stop at nothing to get more and more of what they want.
May 1, 2015 · What do bad guys look like in realistic literature? Writing Villains Using the Villain Archetype. The villain, like the fool, is a classic archetype seen in almost every story from Shakespeare to Disney to films like 27 Dresses. However, unlike the fool, the villain has no consistent character traits.
Oct 6, 2023 · To help you create a sound strategy for your villains, let’s look at six archetypes for villains and how to make each work. 1. The Shadow Ruler. This is your classic scifi or fantasy big bad. The shadow ruler’s key characteristics are being remote, mysterious, magical, and in charge of something big like a kingdom or empire.
