SpikeTheLobsterAntiheroes And Character Flaws
March 3rd 2009 23:21
Charles Bronson
The concept of heroism has changed dramatically over the last century or so. When Superman first appeared in Action Comics, for example, heroism was still more of an altruistic goal: a 'knight' using every and all strengths to protect the weak, to defend justice and to promote the ideals of the time. More recently, comic heroes such as Batman have altered our perception. A vigilante, fighting crime and performing good deeds is still a hero; yet at the same time the underlying reasons for his actions are definitely questionable. Film heroes have done the same, such as Charles Bronson's portrayal of Paul Kersey in the Death Wish series.
The antihero has been around for a long time - as far back as Shakespeare and beyond: Macbeth is an excellent example. As times have changed and become more complex, and the population in general trust previously unquestioned authority less and less, the 'noble criminal' or 'outlaw seeking justice' has become more and more popular. In fact, these days the 'true' heroic values that existed in stories such as the King Arthur legend are almost dead.
This does not mean that a flawed hero has to be an antihero, if the latter does not fit well in a particular story. There is definitely a middle ground, often populated by everyday characters who are forced by circumstance to display heroic traits. Thankfully, the vast majority of individuals still appreciate such virtues and aspire to emulate them in real life. This, in itself, can be an incredible force in writing: a character displaying heroic virtue can grasp a reader's attention with such strength that an author's message is much easier to transmit, no matter how weak or flawed the character is in other departments.
In fact, tangible weakness can augment an act of heroism. A good example of this is in the modern trend of stories with children as their main hero. For example, the film Pay It Forward takes a weak central individual - a child - and turns him into a shining example of heroism. The child's tenacity and sacrifice in holding true to his ideal touches the viewer in a way that it would not, were he a full-grown adult with money and muscle to spare.
It is important, however, to choose character flaws carefully. Readers still need to identify with a central lead, at least to some extent. To have an antihero who is beyond the comprehension of most 'normal' people requires an enormous amount of skill and should not be attempted lightly. Succeeding can pay off, though - Hannibal Lecter in Silence Of The Lambs (and the other books) is a very good indication of how such choices can work well.
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Comment by Damo
Start with a character you do not like and give him an act of redemption to make us like him.
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Start with someone we like and slow reveal his underlying evil so we hate him.
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Comment by Spike 2
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Comment by Janet Collins
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Comment by Spike 2
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I suppose it's because we like our stories more 'gritty' and real these days. Perfect people don't exist, so we have trouble believing them, maybe?
Comment by Cibbuano
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