 Action/Adventure: October 26, 2011 Issue [#4684] |
  Action/Adventure
This week: Encounter the Anti-Villain Edited by: Kate - Writing & Reading  
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Greetings! and welcome to this edition of the WDC Action & Adventure Newsletter, where we actively engage each other and our readers with action
"As there is a use in medicines for poisons, so the world cannot move without rogues."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
"As for an authentic villain, the real thing, the absolute, the artist, one rarely meets him even once in a lifetime. The ordinary bad hat is always in part a decent fellow."
Sidonie Gabrielle Colette
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| ASIN: B083RZ2C5F |
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Fellow Adventurers ^_^
As Halloween approaches and along with the cute (sometimes scary) outfits masquerading for candy, we think of the dark and venomous mortals and spirits who walk or have walked this earth. Perhaps we reach through the veil and try to understand what makes a villain; we ponder whether there is a mortal being that is nothing but evil or if villains have some redeeming qualities or reasons that they deem forced them to pursue a life villanous.
Let's explore the morally ambiguous anti-villain
Consider the Sandman, The Incredible Mr. Ripley, the hapless Frankenstein creature (who a century or so later morphed into a flawed protagonist under Dean Koontz's brilliant pen), the robotic "HAL" of 2001, a Space Odyssey, and perhaps even Norman Bates, who is driven Psycho as a child. As you can see, the 'anti villain' or 'sympathetic antagonist' can be found in various genres including, but not limited to, mystery, horror, science fiction, westerns, manga....
He/she pursues villainous goals, including at times murder, but uses methods or espouses a cause that may be noble. Although both may elicit the sympathy, sometimes empathy, of readers, it is their intentions that differentiate the flawed protagonist and antagonist.
The anti-hero/flawed protagonist pursues a cause that will result in the betterment of society or the good of other(s), although with means outside customary norms or even the law.
The anti-villain's/sympathetic antagonist's actions and goals are 'ruthless' and/or 'evil,' even if they have some good intentions and/or positive qualities.
So it's their ultimate purpose that sets the anti-villains apart from the flawed protagonists.
Morally ambiguous characters we call anti-villains may also be 'accidental villains' who attain their villainous status when their pursuit of noble goals meets with disastrous, unintended consequences; the 'honorable enemy' who acts in furtherance of what he/she sees as his duty, albeit on the other side as the hero/protagonist of the story; and/or villains who are charming or act within their own code of honor or sense of fair play.
The morally ambiguous anti-villain can be personally more noble or heroic than an anti-hero - but use methods or means that are considered immoral or unjust to attain his/her goals. The ambiguous antagonist counterbalances the protagonist ~ keeping the reader just a bit off-guard; forcing the 'protagonist' to prove himself worthy of attaining the quest/goal to the satisfaction of the 'antagonist' and your reader.
An anti-villain's appearance in a story adds depth to the struggle of the protagonist; therefore to the story itself. Developing the anti-villain's story, his/her reasons and purpose, by necessity would, I think, help the writer define and develop the protagonist. It's like reality - shades of gray make the colors when they appear more vivid; focus attention by engaging the reader's (and writer's) attention and emotions. The reader is shown a reason why the protagonist must attain his intended goal or quest. The morally ambiguous anti-villain, believing his/her goals are ultimately true and right, makes the reader question the goals of the protagonist. The writer is challenged to answer those questions and offer proof that the protagonist's goals have the true merit - create sympathy for the anti-villain, if not necessarily empathy.
I hope you've enjoyed probing with me the mind of the ambiguous antagonist/anti-villain and, perhaps, consider adding such a perhaps sympathetic, albeit nefarious, presence to a story or poem of yours. An engrossing journey to your 'otherworld' for the reader.
Write On
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading
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Visit with some villains encountered in prose and verse by several members of our Community ~ let them know if you see the villain as having a purpose or reason for being villainous other than the purely nefarious and then, why not, create one yourself
| |  | It Had to Happen (ASR)
A spoof of James Bond's ilk: villains, weapons, evil plots, and more! (Honorable Mention)
#1152876 by LeeReay  |
| | | Nurse Shade (E)
A character background for Necessary Evil; written in the style of vintage comics.
#1267174 by SilverRose |
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1711927 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1426910 by Not Available. |
Write On
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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I thank you for sharing this exploration with me and allowing me refuge in your virtual home from villains (and anti-villains) for a brief time. As we embark on our writer's journey, I wish you safe passage among anti-villains this Halloween.
Happy Halloween
Write On
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading |
| ASIN: 1542722411 |
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