Villains Shouldn't Think They're Evil
I've been re-watching a cartoon and noticed that some of the villains in it acted in an odd way. I know a cartoon isn't probably the best benchmark for characterization, but it holds true to fiction as well.
In the cartoon, a villain states that he's pure evil, which struck me as odd. Real people, no matter what line they sit on, think that they're evil.
I know it's been said before, but oftentimes it's an odd thing to think about your villains goal and characterization. Too often we see fiction with villains that defy logic and though they appear intelligent they are considered to be pure evil/the ultimate evil. What comes to mind for me are epic fantasy novels like The Lord of the Rings, and The Song of Ice and Fire (better known as the show Game of Thrones).
Evil people don't think that they're evil, or wrong, they believe that they're right and that they're on the side of justice.
Just look at Donald Trump.
In order to create a good villain, I feel that one needs to create a hero. Someone who stands for a specific code, and maybe at the point you are in the story he's actually won his battle and is now in charge. Since becoming in charge, maybe he's become a little more strict with his rules, or maybe he feels that another cause needs his attention, which affects your hero.
Making a hero out of your villain should also help in making a better conflict for your hero, even before they meet the villain. Maybe the villain stands for a particular code, which means you have to think about the pros and cons of such a code and why the villain and hero are on their respective side. Maybe the villain had to make some concessions to his code in order for something to work, and your hero doesn't feel that should have happened.
The conflict can come even before the villain is met as the hero can also be challenged on his beliefs with these pros and cons. Maybe the hero didn't think his plan through and doesn't realize the consequences should the "villain" be deposed.
Make a better villain, make a better hero, make a better story. (Now I just need to follow my own advice)
In the cartoon, a villain states that he's pure evil, which struck me as odd. Real people, no matter what line they sit on, think that they're evil.
I know it's been said before, but oftentimes it's an odd thing to think about your villains goal and characterization. Too often we see fiction with villains that defy logic and though they appear intelligent they are considered to be pure evil/the ultimate evil. What comes to mind for me are epic fantasy novels like The Lord of the Rings, and The Song of Ice and Fire (better known as the show Game of Thrones).
Evil people don't think that they're evil, or wrong, they believe that they're right and that they're on the side of justice.
Just look at Donald Trump.
In order to create a good villain, I feel that one needs to create a hero. Someone who stands for a specific code, and maybe at the point you are in the story he's actually won his battle and is now in charge. Since becoming in charge, maybe he's become a little more strict with his rules, or maybe he feels that another cause needs his attention, which affects your hero.
Making a hero out of your villain should also help in making a better conflict for your hero, even before they meet the villain. Maybe the villain stands for a particular code, which means you have to think about the pros and cons of such a code and why the villain and hero are on their respective side. Maybe the villain had to make some concessions to his code in order for something to work, and your hero doesn't feel that should have happened.
The conflict can come even before the villain is met as the hero can also be challenged on his beliefs with these pros and cons. Maybe the hero didn't think his plan through and doesn't realize the consequences should the "villain" be deposed.
Make a better villain, make a better hero, make a better story. (Now I just need to follow my own advice)
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