"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

Fellow Adventurers ^_^

         I'm sure you're familiar with the 'anti-hero' or flawed protagonist, the morally ambiguous hero for whom the end often justifies the means by which he/she acts to resolve the conflicts encountered during his/her adventure. But what of his/her relative opposite (to some extent), the '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....

Like the 'anti-hero,' the 'anti-villain' is morally ambiguous.

         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 adventure 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.

         Thank you for welcoming me to your virtual home,

Keep Writing!
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading