sofie

The Six Types of Villain

1. The Anti-Hero: The Anti-Hero has grown to gain quite a presence today. Like the heroes of classic antiquity, modern day anti-heroes have been have been ushered in by the likes of characters like Wolverine, Spawn, Venom, Catwoman and more. Each comes with their own tragic flaws that limit them to villainy rather than full fledge protagonism. Although anti-heroes may sometimes perform actions that are viewed as morally correct, it’s always for the “right” reasons, often acting primarily out of self-interest or in ways that defy conventional ethical codes.

2. Dark Reflections: There’s a reason they’re called “Antagonist”. This type of villain is a darker reflection of the protagonist in motivation and means. Often stubborn or unmoving, these tend to be everything that the protagonist is not.

3. Fallen From Grace: The Lucifers, fallen angels that have been pushed to villainy by exterior forces which can be related or unrelated to the protagonist. They’re similar to the anti-hero, but one thing about is that they’re not always redeemable. They tend to be understandingly lost in darkness and villainy. (Star Wars)

4. Familial Connections: As old as the myth of Osiris in Ancient Egypt, tales have been told of the evil reflections of noble siblings. Jealous and power hungry, they seek to overthrow a kingdom and rule as a tyrant. Only when a valiant niece/nephew rises up against them, that these evil aunts/uncles are able to be overthrown. (Lion King, Hamlet)

5. Good Ol’ Dastardly Trickery: Sometimes villains come as simple Dick Dastardly, who fires obstacles for the protagonist to overcome. This usually offers the protagonist and plot nothing more to offer than muscle and damsels. (Jesse & James in Pokémon)

Movies and books also don't tell you that friendships don't just end after one fight or incident, it's like the rusting of a bridge, the slow decay of flesh and bones and secrets. It took weeks, months- until one day I woke up and I realized I hadn't thought of her in a while. And I wrote a poem that day and I titled it 'The dying of a best friend' and I put all my love for her in a tiny box with my half of the matching pendant of a dolphin we had and stored them in a corner of my heart under the heading Grief. Where else can one hide unspent love?

It's been 3 years since I lost my best friend, lost as in I still carry our secrets in a tiny box but we only text each other on our birthdays.

-Ritika Jyala, excerpt from The world is a sphere of ice and our hands are made of fire