Batman. Dirty Harry. Scarlett O’Hara. Hamlet. Gollum. Bad
Master. Sydney Carton.
Often described as a
literary or cultural trope, the antihero is probably older than Odysseus.
Older, even, than most classically accepted hero-types.
Today, in order to illustrate a few points, I’ve joined
forces with YA wonder-artist, fifteen-year-old Kristina Fiscaletti, (of the
amazing Fiscaletti clan) who has graciously shared her own sketches of the
tragic antihero, Bad Master. *Bows to Kristina.*
Dark, brooding, or simply willing to defy cultural norms to
achieve a goal, a true antihero reflects humanity’s bleaker, almost repulsive traits.
Yet we love our not-quite-heroes and heroines.
Why?
Simple. Antiheroes are closer to true human nature than
classic heroes. Antiheroes embody our secret weaknesses and often act out our defiant
hidden impulses, which are usually—with good reason—frowned upon by civilized
societies. Most antiheroes don’t accept oppression meekly. (But neither do
strong classic heroes!) And a true antihero often reveals noble
characteristics, usually with a courage most of us mere mortals only wish we possessed.
Often, antiheroes are called upon to save heroes—to brave
harm or death for the sake of good. Remember the alcoholic Sydney Carton from A Tale of Two Cities? As he is facing
death for the sake of his beloved and her hero-husband, he concludes, "It
is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far
better rest that I go to than I have ever known!" *R. J. searches for
tissue. Blows nose.*
By contrast, Antiheroes are often resentful if they’re
rescued, particularly if the rescuer is—through some cruel twist of the author’s
scheming imagination—an erstwhile foe, or *worse* the hero! (For pity’s sake,
doesn’t the hero draw enough accolades?)
Most important to the author, however, is that an antihero’s
tempestuous nature presents opportunities for redemption, usually at a pivotal
moment in the plot, or even at the story’s epic climax. Better yet, the
antihero might be allowed to remain an unresolved mystery to readers.
See those
tears? Are they real? Dare we allow ourselves to hope for our beloved antihero’s
redemption?
Stay tuned, Dear Reader!
Stay tuned....
Posts
