Villains: Are they actually evil?

You know those games you used to play as a child? The adventure games, the role-plays, with the 'goodies', who were absolutely perfect in every way, and the unfortunate 'baddies', of whom were pure evil. The protagonist and the antagonist. Simple enough to understand, and common enough to carry out without too much fuss (although I remember not being too thrilled at having to be the 'bad' guy). At that stage, it's all you can understand. But when you get older... everything changes.

The antagonist in the story is the one that, supposedly, is made to be hated. They're the ones who get picked on in the story and, in real life, in the forums. It's them who commit the evil deeds. They devise the evil plans. Without them, there wouldn't even be a story - because without the 'bad guy', without the plots, it would be, frankly, as boring as watching paint dry.

But, does this make them evil? Pure evil?

The answer is: No. Because, how could something be so terribly bad that their whole mind is overcome with evil thoughts, since the day they are born? With no reason to hurt anyone but for their own sick delight; with no reason at all but for the sake of being evil...

Because the truth of the matter is, that's only possible in children's tales. True villains aren't born; they're made.

Shall I explain?

Once upon a time, they were all children. Innocent. Struggling with life perhaps. I've noticed that many of them have horrible lives - Loki with his 'better' brother, the Master gone cuckoo at just eight years old. The corrupted Sméagol. All trying to cope with what's been bestowed upon them.

But not evil. Not entirely. 

"Why do people always
presume I'm lying?"

Then one day, something happened to turn them around. Or perhaps it was a group of things? Doesn't matter. Now they've sworn war, or revenge, or whatever, and their minds are bent on it. They can't help being what they've been made into. Heck, sometimes I think they don't remember what they were before - their child's life clouded, the memories gone.

THEY. CAN'T. HELP. WHO. THEY. HAVE. BECOME.

Villains are the deepest, and best characters in the world, because they have suffered so much. Sacrificed so much. Become one with their goal. And, believe it or not, inspiring... for doing what they set out to do. For achieving. For dying in dignity.

"It's so far from home."

And that, my friends, is the best thing you can wish for in a character.

So, instead of hating villains (Seriously, who could hate Loki?) fall in love with their personality. See past the defences. Know their weaknesses, and love them for it.

Because villains aren't born, they're made.

Catch you later,

Leyah Rose (Technically and Literally an Evil Person)