Spectrums of Evil: by Harbinger
I came across an interesting blog about a fellow villain detailing her particular modus operandi regarding Evil. It got me thinking about my own particular brand, which in turn made me ponder the various classifications of Evil. Mind you, these do not cover petty instances of Evil such a serial killing, petty crimes, or any such mundane thuggery. I’m talking about Evil with scope and sophistication; Evil with intention if you will. I reduced it to four major specturms:
Diametric Morality: Evil for Evil’s Sake, “Pure” Evil
Perhaps the oldest and most classic variant of Evil. Simply born bad with an itch for the malaise that cannot be scratched. In mainstream media, they are often portrayed as the manipulative vampire who gets no greater satisfaction than tempting the doubtful into entropic darkness. This Evil is seductive and subtle and perfers the whisper over the typical howl of madness. While lacking the grandoise plans of other classifications, it is often considered the most Evil because this is a foe of both mind and soul. People with this style will corrupt others just to watch them fall and leave them stranded–or irrevocably dependant. This Evil is an everyday Evil. Well known villains of this type are:
Dracula, or Vampires in General
Satan, or any Demon/Fiend
Misguided Moral Authority: Messiah Complex
This is characterized by an overwhelming desire to change the world for what the individual truely believes is righteous and good. These good intentions are perverted by draconian standards, profound dellusion, and a severe approach where the ends always justifies the means. This is often thought of as the most dangerous form as the fanatacism consuming the individual can instill a profound dedication where other villains may lose fervor. Well known villains of this type are:
“The Operative” from the movie Serenity and series Firefly.
“John Doe” from the movie Seven.
Vengeful and Isolated: Anarchy and the Abyss
Gloomy and foreboding castles high upon looming cliffs set the scene; this is the Evil of pain. Anarchic Evil holds a paradox of being the least desirable yet debatably the most sympathetic. Villains of this variety are often wounded and alone–typically cast out from society because of a phyiscal malformation, mental dysfunction, or generalized sociopathy. Isolation from the world only increases to their eccentricism and can often lead to a very bizarre persona. Sometimes this Evil is confused with the Messiah Complex, but this is a under-sight. Isolated villains do not wish to reform a world they love, rather to destroy a world they don’t fit in. This Evil is consumed by pain, and merely wants an end to any and all guilty parties. Often these villains do not intend to have epic plans, but sometimes wind up that way in their reactionary grievences. Vengeful villiany is often considered the least dangerous as it is the most susseptible to appeal and redemption by truely compassionate individuals. Well known villains of this type are:
Phantom of the Opera
Mr. Freeze
Megalomania: Might Makes Right
Megolomania is where Egotism makes its ultimate display. While goals vary, there is an absolute trend to the genre. “I can and wish, therefore I will”. Some might consider this in truth to be “amoral”, but that is not the case. Selfish desires are all that matter, so Megalomaniacs are without doubt–Evil. This can cause them to transcend various forms of Evil though possessing certain distinctions to remain unique. A vilian may want to destroy the world, but merely out of sport and expression of power. Likewise, they may want to “save” the world–but out of arrogance and vision instead of altruism. Megalomaniac Evil is often times very flamboyant and concerns itself with status, show, and style to the point at where that might supercede the stated goal. While this could be considered the most dangerous because of the grand scope, it is often the most inoccuous as Megalomaniac villains tend to set unrealistic goals and are fickle. This causes them to be easily countered after their plans become known. The monologue is the silver bullet to any great Megalomaniac villian. Well known villains of this type are:
Dr. Evil
Hugo Drax: One of many various James Bond villains who fit the bill
Me (Naturally)
Personally, I’m a fan of both ‘Pure” Evil and Megalomaniac Evil. This is more of an entertaining thought-out-loud, but I’d like to toss it up in the air. Did I make any gross oversights? Random thoughts?
admin @ May 16, 2008