Poll: Villains you can hate

[Odinsson]

So I was having this discussion with some friends of mine over lunch. Which is arguably 'worse' in a villain? Someone who does despicable things in the view that their end justifies their means, or even see them as good in their own way (e.g. Magneto, Jacques de Aldesburg of the Witcher series), or a villain that knows what he's doing is evil, and doesn't give a shit, or actively enjoys doing bad (the Joker, Ramsay Bolton possibly)?

Personally, I find myself sympathizing with or pitying the villains who believe they're doing good, while the sick bastards who enjoy it seem to be more an object of my ire.

So the question is really 'Which kind of villain do you love to hate?'

 

[Eclipse Dragon]

Those villains who feel they're doing the right thing and honestly have the good of mankind in mind, even if they're sick and twisted and obviously going about it the wrong way, tend to be much more relatable and human than those who are just doing it for kicks.

Those that are doing evil things for a good time can't be redeemed.
Is it possible to grow out of serial killing, or a desire to watch the world burn?

 

[Necron_warrior]

I like most Villains that have those qualities in all honesty.

That being said, the only villains I dislike are ones where their plans are just stupid from the get go.

 

[217not237]

I like almost all villains, to be honest. With the whole "doing right" thing, The Boss, the cult of Silent Hill, and the doctors from A Clockwork Orange are all prime examples. But then there are Bowser, The Joker, and every James Bond villain who are still great, but more "It's cool to be evil" than anything. I'm going with both.

 

[Aurora Firestorm]

I think it's harder to have a believable villain who just likes doing evil because he likes doing evil. No one wakes up in the morning and says, "I think I'll go kick some kid's puppy, because I can." Very, very few people think of themselves as straight-up evil. Even villains who know they're doing bad things, and even for greedy reasons, at least think that they're more qualified to do whatever it is (say, rule the world) or that people are being soft or something and thus aren't doing the Efficient Thing or some such excuse. But "I just feel like being evil" is a kiddie movie plot.

 

[Jhooud]

I agree with the general consensus so far, the villain who's doing what he/she is doing because they feel they're right (or they have no choice) are the most sympathetic (and thus, imho, the most interesting). Villains who are villains for the sake of being a foil to whatever character I'm playing (or reading about) are pretty easy to despise.

Those and those damnable Borgias. I hate those guys.

 

[DoPo]

Something I think is appropriate here [http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2012/07/24/25-things-you-should-know-about-antagonists/].

Anyway, it really depends. One could light babies on fire because he believe that would save the world, while another could do the same just because they provide better light than candles. I'd like the second one more, in most cases. But in a lot of other cases, I'd be more willing to side with the "doing good" antagonist. It depends more on their motives and probably personality. I'd love to hate somebody who is just a complete dick, regardless of whether they think they do good or not.

 

[dfphetteplace]

I usually like the ones that believe that what they are doing is right. It adds more to the story than "I just want to screw things up".

 

[Bestival]

Keep in mind that Dr. Evil would fall under "doing evil for kicks". And noone could ever hate Dr. Evil, right? RIGHT!?

 

[Scarim Coral]

I prefer both, it just depend what action he/ she did for me to hate him/ her. Sure the whole he/ she believe he/ she is in the right but again it depend on the said action like e.g. committing mass murder to innocent civilian for beliving they were sinners is enough for me to hate that villain. The latter (doing it for no good reason) is more of an shock reaction which may or may not be enough to hate that villain.

 

[Cette]

I find a lack of self awareness to be the most irritating trait humanly possible. So give me the bastard that knows they're a bastard any day.

 

[[Kira Must Die]]

I've liked my fair share of both, really. As long as they're interesting or enjoyable in some way, because they can both be really, really fun and entertaining, or really, really bland and boring.

 

[dimensional]

well it depends but overall I like villains like the Joker the best who are just crazy not evil as such just chaotic and revel in their actions I just love watching these guys as they are constantly amusing. While I dont hate those who believe what they are doing is good I tend to find them less entertaining if its done well it can certainly make you question if they are actually a villain but if in the end they reform or repent that always pisses me off I just think pffft so much for your convictions you weak willed idiot.

 

[Aurora Firestorm]

never underestimate the ability of human beings to be a complete dick just for the sake of it

People absolutely are dicks because they want to be. But this usually is small-time dickery. People are assholes on the internet because they feel like it. But people murder that guy on the street for reasons. Either they hate the other person so much they're willing to give in and kill him, or they want his money, or...something something else. Either way, people don't do serious evil just because why not.

There's also insanity, but that basically provides a reason within itself.

 

[SFMB]

I mostly hate villains who are misguided fools, like some fundamentalist prophet, who thinks his doing God's work or somehow rationalizing their fucked-up actions. The truly evil ones, who really know what and why they are doing it are enjoyable. They know their shit.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

I voted "doing right," but really both can be enjoyable. It all depends on how well they're developed and characterized.

 

[ThePerfectionist]

I like seeing both in my media, but for very different reasons. I tend to cheer for the bad guys (futilely, I know) in books and movies, especially when the hero is such an insufferably good bastard that it makes me physically ill. Basically, I'm on the side of whichever character is more interesting, regardless of their alignment or motivation.

The only villains I really hate are the boring or stupid ones. So give me Magneto or give me the Joker, and I will find something to like.

Sidebar here: Does anyone else place a premium on intelligence in their heroes? One of the reasons I really like Spiderman and Batman (and hate Superman) is that, in large part, their villains are either their intellectual equal, their physical better, or both. It almost turns each story into a mini-mystery. The ending is usually the same (the good guy wins), but like with watching a medical drama or a crime show, it's not about whether they win, but about how they solved the puzzle.

 

[Erttheking]

They both can work. Villains that do the right thing are interesting but you can make purely evil villains interesting too by giving them depth too, giving them traits like pride and obsession.