Essential Element Missing - Common Absence in Villains
In the world of literature, the antagonist often serves as the perfect foil to the hero, pushing them to their limits and driving the narrative forward. David Ben-Ami, a graduate from Vanderbilt University with a double major in English and Economics, shares insights into the intricate process of creating captivating antagonists.
According to Ben-Ami, the most fundamental aspect of an antagonist is their role as an obstacle in the hero's journey. They stand in the way of the hero achieving their goal, providing the necessary tension and conflict that keeps readers hooked.
However, Ben-Ami emphasises that a good antagonist is not simply a villain but the enemy of the hero. To create a compelling villain, it is essential to ensure they are living up to their full potential. This means giving them strengths that contrast the hero's weaknesses in key areas, making their clashes all the more intense.
The antagonist should be specifically tailored to attack the hero's weakness repeatedly, pushing them to the brink of defeat. In this battle, the hero's growth and overcoming of weakness often come from these clashes. The antagonist is the perfect opposition to the hero's inner weakness, serving as a mirror that reflects the hero's darkest fears and insecurities.
Ben-Ami finds antagonists fascinating and often finds them more interesting than heroes. He believes that the antagonist's personality should be metaphorically made of kryptonite to the hero, exploiting their inner weaknesses and making the narrative more suspenseful.
Recent authors in the German-speaking world known for creating antagonistic characters with special connections to their protagonists who exploit their inner weaknesses include Juli Zeh, Ferdinand von Schirach, and Daniel Kehlmann. These authors have mastered the art of creating antagonists that are not only formidable opponents but also complex characters with their own internal flaws or weaknesses.
However, Ben-Ami is not a fan of using the antagonist's failure as a learning tool for the hero. Instead, he prefers the clashes between the hero and antagonist to facilitate the hero's growth and overcoming of inner weakness. This contrast between the hero and antagonist increases the perceived insurmountability of the odds against the hero, raising suspense and keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
In conclusion, the art of crafting compelling antagonists is a delicate balance between creating a formidable opponent and a complex character with their own flaws. By following these guidelines, authors can create antagonists that push their heroes to their limits, driving the narrative forward and keeping readers captivated. As Ben-Ami puts it, "A good story is all about the clashes between the hero and antagonist, and I am often obsessed with finding the perfect balance."
