Who’s Your Favorite Villain?

Hmm-mmm. Too hard. How about I describe the characteristics of all of my favorite villains?

They are:
1.     Strong-minded men used to getting their way in a man’s world
2.     Successful at what they do in their profession—no matter what it is
3.     They are demanding in their requirements around them and not very nice if they don’t get it
4.     Have lethal skills
5.     Are devious
6.     They lust
  
Epiphany!

Yikes! They are also hero material…..Uh, oh. Note to self, check my own work for possible hero/villain shades.

The difference in the Villain/Hero can be in:
1.     Mental stability
2.     Sense of protectiveness or absence thereof
3.     Driven in purpose
4.     Object of their greed


I thought that determining who my favorite villain is would be a ‘fluff’ piece of a blog, but as I thought about my favorite villains, trying to pick one, I started to realize how much they resemble my favorite heroes.  That was a bit of a surprise for me. Now I am driven to spend the next rainy day searching through my beloved ‘stash’ and doing a little hero/villain research.   Oh, how awful for me….

5 comments:

Penny Rader said...

Interesting, isn't it, Nina, how choices can determine if someone will be a hero or a villain? Two kids can have a rough life, similar circumstances. One has a "poor me" and "the world owes me" attitude and stops at nothing to get what he wants, no matter who he has to step on or hurt to get there. While the other guy chooses to do right by others, even when it's scary or inconvenient.

Nina Sipes said...

Yeah. I totally agree with you. Kinda wonder what it is that makes a person choose one over the other.

Joan Vincent said...

Nina I was surprised at how easily a villain could turn into a hero. I think you list of how they are different will help me make more effective villains.

Nina Sipes said...

Joan,
I thought it was very weird how close a villain and hero are. I guess it it more a difference of what you're willing to lose to gain what you desire. Or what you're willing to make others pay....

Becky A said...

I'm slow to comment but here's my two-cents worth. I had to give this a lot of thought. My first one was that we should not have a favorite villain. I mean, they're the bad guys. You're not supposed to like the bad guy. Right? After reading the other posts my brain finally kicked in and here goes: Loki (Thor). He has a vulnerable side that makes me root for him even while I dislike the bad things he does. He sometimes comes off childish, yet the need to be important (noticed) overrides all else. I can identify with his pain and feelings of inadequacy and rejection. He never felt good enough. He always knew he was different. He didn't believe Odin loved him as much as Thor. That doesn't excuse his bad behavior, but it does make it understandable. To me that makes a great villain. I want to know why they are the way they are.