Redeeming Qualities … Everybody has them. Even I have a few! (Sometimes more, depends on the day)
But the question is, how the heck do you redeem a villain? Is it even possible? Can their actually be a decent and/or sympathy worthy quality about Lord Voldemort?
Well of course.
#1 He’s played by Ralph Fiennes which is like a Fantastic Actor!
#2 His mom was a witch and his dad was a muggle … that’s gotta be tough on a guy who wants to be pure blood!
#3 Troubled past … yep … grew up in an orphanage … talked to snakes … played in caves … need I say more?!
#4 Alleged good intentions. Maybe the world is supposed to be free of muggles … doubtful, but if that’s what he was taught!
#4 Charming SOB wasn’t he. Pretty dern good looking too. (Why are the good looking ones always the trouble makers? But we all know if he hadn’t died he’d have married Bellatrix, gotten fond of the butter beer and gained at least 50lbs by the time their ten kids were born! … Oh wait … we were looking for REDEEMING qualities, oops!)
This was the first character I thought of when trying to redeem my villain in the Fall Girl Sequel. Then I decided to make a list of all my favorite villains.
Wuthering Heights – Heathcliffe
He LOVED Catherine way more than she deserved. So although he was “technically” the villain, I always found myself rooting for him!
Harry Potter – Snape
I spent 6 1/2 books loving to hate this greasy haired wizard, but always felt guilty because Dumbledore trusted him. And since Dumbledore was like THE most powerful wizard, it was really hard to doubt him!
Percy Jackson – Luke
Troubled past. A boy with a troubled past is always hard to hate
Star Wars – Darth Vader
Troubled past. Plus, Luke believed in him! He knew he could overcome the dark side!
Secret Life of the American Teenager – Ricky
Again … Troubled Past. And did I mention he’s all practical and realistic and determined and stuff. (If he and Amy break up I’m going to riot!
Wizard of Oz – Wicked Witch of the West
Okay, number one, her sister stole all her thunder. And number two, Galinda … she’s all pretty and sparkly. Who can compete with that. And let’s not forget number three … FLYING MONKEYS! I’d be evil if it meant I got flying monkeys!
So … troubled past … definitely overdone! So why not go the opposite? Super awesome past to the point where it was TOO perfect. Disturbingly perfect?
Good looking villain? Pshaah … why not make us feel bad because your villain is so ugly no one wants to look at him?
The point is, every villain can be redeemed … even if only a little. I’m not saying you should give them a 100% makeover and have them find Jesus and be all perfect and stuff. I’m just saying … give us something to question our feelings about this character. Give us reason to WANT to sympathize with them, even if they don’t deserve it.
Make the villain Horrible, but impossible to hate! Now THAT is an awesome villain.
Who is your favorite villain? Do you love them or hate them? And what exactly is their redeeming quality?