The Anti-Hero

The Anti-Hero

The concept of an Anti-Hero is often used in darker literature.

The Anti-Hero is being used more in modern literature as authors try to portray villains as complex characters

An Anti-Hero relates to a reader because the Anti-Hero displays more humanity that a regular Hero.

An Anti-Hero may try to do what is right by using questionable means.

The Anti-Hero

It is clear that he has human frailties; he has flaws

Qualities normally belonging to villains - such as amorality, greed and violent tendencies - are tempered with more human, identifiable and even noble traits

He is often disillusioned with society, or increasingly becomes so

He often seeks for redemption or revenge for his own satisfaction, and sometimes for the greater good of society

The Anti-Hero Characteristics

Anti-heroes can be awkward, antisocial, alienated, cruel, obnoxious, passive, pitiful, weak,

or just ordinary.

Types of Anti-Hero

Some Anti-Heroes may be unable to commit to traditional values of society. 

This type of Anti-Hero distrusts conventional society.

Another type of Anti-Hero cannot “get a break” in life. 

He/she will move from one disappointment to another, their efforts always ending in failure.

The Anti-hero does not always die at the end of a text

Napoleon Dynamite

Captain Jack Sparrow