What Makes a Great Villain

Exploring Villains

In literature, everyone roots for the hero, but what about the villains? Villains drive the plot forward and create excitement. From Dracula to Hannibal Lecter, villains have captivated us and made us question their motives and morals. Why do they choose the path of darkness, and what makes them so compelling? In this post, we will dive into the history of villains, look behind their psychology, and explore what makes a good villain.

What is a villain?

According to the Random House Dictionary, a villain is “a cruelly malicious person who is involved in or devoted to wickedness or crime; scoundrel.” The origin of the word comes from the Medieval Latin word ‘villanus,’ which refers to a rural area similar to a village. The term is associated with a person who is low-class and lacks manners. In modern context, a villain is a character that wants the opposite of the protagonist. They drive the plot forward and contrast with the protagonist. Historically villains were often one-dimensional figures representing evil, but contemporary literature and media portray them as complex characters with motivations and backgrounds.

What makes a great villain?

There are many qualities that can make a villain great, but the most notable qualities are a compelling backstory, morality, intelligence, strong contention with the hero, and fun. One villain that encompasses these characteristics is the Joker from Batman. He is a worthy opponent who cannot be defeated easily. The Joker also has a compelling backstory that has varied over the years. One of the most well-known stories is that he was a failed comedian who turned to crime to support his family. During a robbery at a chemical factory, he encounters Batman and slips into a vat of chemicals, transforming into the Joker. The Joker’s morality is the opposite of Batman’s. Batman seeks to bring justice and order to Gotham, while the Joker wants to challenge this. Overall, the Joker is a fun villain. He brings an element of comedy and unpredictability into the dark world of Gotham.

A writer that has greatly influenced the image of villains is William Shakespeare. His characters and villains are complex and multi-dimensional. For instance, Iago in “Othello” is driven by jealousy and ambition. Shakespeare’s villains often have ambiguous morality. He gives them backstories that the audience can sympathize with, creating a fine line between good and evil. One technique he uses to achieve this is by giving the characters monologues and soliloquies. For instance, in 'Macbeth', there is a soliloquy in Act 1, Scene 7 ('If it were done 'tis done'). This reveals his internal conflict and allows the audience to understand his motives.

Lastly, I would like to mention that a villain doesn’t necessarily have to be a person. It can be a place, such as the dark and ominous Gotham City, which is filled with criminals. Or the Overlook Hotel in “The Shining.” The haunted hotel acts as an antagonistic setting that drives the inhabitants insane. Similarly, the white whale in 'Moby-Dick' is a force of nature that Captain Ahab becomes obsessed with hunting. Harsh environments such as the desert in Western films and literature can also be antagonistic because of the constant threats the protagonist may face.

Common villain archetypes

Archetypes are patterns of images and circumstances that recur throughout literature. There are many different types of villain archetypes, but today I’m only going to discuss a few.

The Femme Fatale: This type of villain uses seduction to get what they want. An example of a villain with this archetype is Catwoman from the Batman comics. Catwoman uses her wit and feline charm to become a master thief. She walks the fine line between villain and ally. She also has a romantic connection with Batman that makes their relationship complex.

The Evil Twin: This villain mirrors the protagonist. They often have the same characteristics, skills, or conflicts. These villains, however, took another approach to their conflict. An example in classical literature is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Dr. Jekyll creates a potion that transforms him into the sinister Mr. Hyde. This archetype can also be seen in many comic book characters such as Jean Grey and the Dark Phoenix, and Spiderman and Venom. This evil twin archetype is often used in American soap operas to create tension and drama.

The Monster: These villains are larger than life and symbolize evil, fear, and anxiety. One example from a literary classic is Frankenstein’s monster from Frankenstein. The monster shows the consequences of playing god. The monster struggles with its identity and seeks revenge on its creator. This archetype is also seen in a lot of horror and thriller movies such as ‘Jaws’ and ‘Godzilla.’

The Authority: These types of villains have authoritative power in the government, corporation, or in institutions. They misuse their power to maintain their position or for their own interest. Examples of villains with this archetype include President Snow from ‘The Hunger Games,’ Big Brother in ‘1984,’ and Nurse Ratched in ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.’

How to create great villains

There are various ways to create a villain, but I think it is important to first create a great backstory for your villains. Great villains, like great protagonists, should have definite wants and needs. The readers need to know what motivates them. Why do they behave the way that they do? Were they bullied as a child? Neglected? Villains, like people, are rarely born bad or evil. They are shaped by their environment and experiences. These details can add depth and color to a villain. It is also important for a villain to have a strong connection to the hero. It can be a familial relationship, friendship, mentorship, or romantic interest. These different types of relationships can add tension and be fun to follow. For instance, Loki from the Marvel Universe is Thor's adoptive brother. Their complex relationship mixes rivalry with familial bonds. A villain can also have similar goals or mutual respect. A villain also must be a worthy opponent. They can’t be too powerful or too weak. There has to be a balance between the villain’s and hero’s strengths and weaknesses. Lastly, I think when writing characters, it is important to put yourself in their perspective. Think about how you would react and what you would do.

Conclusion

Overall, villains are characters that drive the plot forward. They are individuals that are malicious and want to cause chaos. Villains should be well thought out and just as memorable as the protagonist. A well-thought-out villain creates tension and sometimes even makes the reader root for them instead of the hero. What are some of your favorite villains, and what makes them stand out?

Merriam-Webster - [The Villain in the History of the Word 'Villain' Isn't the Villain](https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/the-villain-in-the-history-of-the-word-villain-isnt-the-villain) (Accessed via web.archive.org)

Dictionary.com - [Definition of "Villain"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140402110610/http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/villain)

MasterClass - [How to Write an Unforgettable Villain: Tips for Writing a Great Villain for Your Novel or Short Story](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-an-unforgettable-villain-tips-for-writing-a-great-villain-for-your-novel-or-short-story)

Medium - [The Psychology of Villains in Literature: Understanding the Motivations and Complexity](https://medium.com/@chrissteven743/the-psychology-of-villains-in-literature-understanding-the-motivations-and-complexity-of-23186c9bd601)

StudioBinder - [Types of Villains](https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/types-of-villains/)

MasterClass - [How to Write Different Types of Villains](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-different-types-of-villains

StudioBinder - [Types of Villains](https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/types-of-villains/)

Encyclopedia Britannica - [Archetype](https://www.britannica.com/topic/archetype)