1. Eight Villain Archetypes
From Iago and Grendel to Dr. Evil and Jafar
Eight Villain Archetypes

2. The Tyrant A bullying despot Wants power at any price
Ruthlessly conquers all

3. The Bastard Dispossessed son Resentful
He can’t have what he wants, so he lashes out to hurt those around him

4. The Devil Charming fiend Gives people what he thinks they deserve
Charismatic
Can discover moral weakness in others

5. The Traitor Double agent Betrays those who trust him most
Despite supportive smiles and sympathetic ears, he plots the destruction of his friends

6. The Outcast The lonely outsider, he wants desperately to belong
Tortured and unforgiving
He has been set off from others – usually for a good cause

7. The Evil Genius Malevolent mastermind
Loves to show off his superior intelligence
Elaborate puzzles and experiments are his trademark

8. The Sadist Savage predator Enjoys cruelty for its own sake
Plays games with violence and psychological brutality

9. The Terrorist A “dark knight” He serves a warped code of honor
Self-righteous, he believes in his own virtue
He judges all around him by a strict set of laws

10. Can you think of examples?
Tyrant
Bastard
Devil
Traitor
Outcast
Evil Genius
Sadist
Terrorist