July 31, 2020-Do you know the difference between a villain and anti-hero? Is there a difference? There sure is! Let’s explore.
- A villain is the character that readers love to hate. They’re usually devoted to crime, malicious, and devious. They’ll do whatever it takes to get what they want no matter what the cost. They usually have little regard for anything other than the execution of their cause or master plan.
- An anti-hero is who the reader roots for even though they have major flaws. They’re a heroic character that does the right thing, but usually for the wrong reasons and only to serve themselves. They lack conventional heroic qualities. Anti-heroes are usually not trustworthy, courageous, or honest. They are the definition of “grey area”.
So, why does this matter? Using villains and anti-heroes can help round out your writing, they can add depth, conflict, and drama where your story needs it most. Don’t be afraid to play around with your characters and develop them into one or the other or add both to liven up your plot. Life isn’t black and white and your characters shouldn’t be either!
