Crafting Compelling Antiheroes
As readers, we're used to rooting for the good guys. We want the hero to triumph, to save the day, get the girl, and to kick the arse of the bad guy.
But what happens when the lines between good and evil become blurred?
What happens when the protagonist becomes the antagonist, and we're left wondering whether to cheer them on or hope for their downfall?
That's where the antihero comes in.
Think John Wick, Don Draper, and Solordor.
Crafting the Antihero
Antiheroes are characters who don't fit the traditional framework of the heroes.
They're flawed, complicated, and often walk the line between right and wrong. But despite their shortcomings, they have a certain appeal that draws us in and makes us want to know more.
So, how do you go about crafting a compelling antihero?
Let's take a look.
Give them a tragic backstory
One of the most effective ways to make an antihero compelling is to give them a tragic backstory. Maybe they suffered a terrible loss, or they were betrayed by someone they trusted. Whatever the case may be, this backstory helps to humanise the character and make us empathise with them.
It’s a classic move, everyone (girls especially) love the tragic hunk. Why do you think Draco is more popular than Harry?
Nearly every antihero in popular culture today has a tragic backstory. It is effective, but maybe a little overused.
Don’t worry though, there are more ways to build an antihero.
Make them relatable
Another way to make an antihero compelling is to make them relatable.
This means giving them flaws and vulnerabilities that we can all understand. Maybe they struggle with addiction, or they have a fear of commitment. Whatever it is, this flaw helps to make them feel more human and less like a caricature.
This applies to far more than antiheroes of course.
All you’re characters need to be relatable on some level. Its is just more important in this regard because if your antihero is not relatable at all you will lose your readers - no one likes reading about a jerk that never learns any lessons or can’t be empathised with.
Make them memorable
While antiheroes are often complex and brooding, that doesn't mean they can't be fun. In fact, a sense of humour can go a long way in making an antihero more relatable and likeable. It also helps to lighten the mood and make the story more enjoyable to read.
While a good amount of broodiness can go a long way, the perfect antihero oft times is the dashing rogue, or the loveable thief. Having them as optimistic and easygoing as they play hard and fast with the rules is a perfect recipe for a fan-favourite antihero.
Give them a moral code
While antiheroes may not always do the right thing, they often have a code that they live by. This code might be different from what we consider to be "good," but it helps to establish the character's motivations and makes them more complex.
A ‘moral’ code is essential for any strong main character, and for the antihero that ‘moral’ code is usually better as an ‘amoral’ one.
Salvatore’s character Jarlaxle is a fine example of the quintessential antihero.
Make them the lesser of two evils
Finally, one of the most effective ways to make an antihero compelling is to make them the lesser of two evils. This means putting them up against a villain who is even worse than they are. This helps to make the antihero's actions feel justified and makes us more willing to root for them.
This is an effective method, but a tad trite for my liking. Having a prick of character seem decent only because they’re put against an even bigger prick is almost the lazy way of doing it. In the end they’re still a jerk and unless there is some real character development throughout the story to make your antihero less assholish, your readers are going to be left feeling like something’s lacking.
Conclusion
Crafting compelling antiheroes takes a delicate balance of flaws and strengths, moral ambiguity, and a relatable backstory.
By using these techniques, you can create unforgettable characters that readers will love to hate and hate to love.
Pro tip: be careful not to fall into the pitfalls of character cliches when crafting an antihero. It can be very easy to do.
Til next time.
If you want to learn more about building a believable and immersive fantasy world in your writing check out my other posts:
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