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Author Topic: A bit of a problem I have  (Read 1494 times)

Vector

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Re: A bit of a problem I have
« Reply #15 on: April 05, 2010, 12:20:39 pm »

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is, as a novel, known best for the fact that every character plays both a villain and a hero--and yes, you manage to love and despise every single last one of them.

I'd also suggest The Phantom of the Opera (Leroux), and Tiger at the Gates (Giraudoux).  They're all French, but you can readily find translations AND they manage to make villains with sympathetic reasoning completely detestable.  Alternatively, read The Plague (Camus), which doesn't really have antagonists.

Oh.  Or Madame Bovary (Flaubert), or No Exit (Sartre).  These novels may make you loathe the human race at large, but they'll take care of your problem.  Also Father Goriot (Balzac).

As for how it's done... well, you'll just have to find out, but the works I listed are all worth your while.
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Neonivek

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Re: A bit of a problem I have
« Reply #16 on: April 05, 2010, 12:23:30 pm »

Outside of Novels I guess Luca Blight would be a cool but absolute monster. (Suikeoden 2)

His motivation isn't sympathetic. He just likes killing people.
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RedKing

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Re: A bit of a problem I have
« Reply #17 on: April 05, 2010, 01:00:02 pm »

Easy--find a story where it's "man vs. nature". Everyone hates Nature. Stupid Nature, with your stupid....leaves. And stuff.


I think a good hateable antagonist is one who has an opportunity to do the "right" thing, and deliberately chooses not to for malicious reasons. Helps if they kill a beloved minor character, just to prove their point.
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cganya

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Re: A bit of a problem I have
« Reply #18 on: April 05, 2010, 01:48:01 pm »

Easy--find a story where it's "man vs. nature". Everyone hates Nature. Stupid Nature, with your stupid....leaves. And stuff.


I think a good hateable antagonist is one who has an opportunity to do the "right" thing, and deliberately chooses not to for malicious reasons. Helps if they kill a beloved minor character, just to prove their point.

Heh, leaves? try insects. Here in northern Ontario, if your stuck outside with no fire/ repellent, in the deep wilderness when the sun comes up or goes down you will be eaten alive by thousands upon thousands of hungry insects. God help you if you're wet.

It's true that nature can be a bastard but not for it's leaves. unless your climbing an evergreen or tobacco tree.
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