Hiding a Villain in a story

[Alpha-neos 46]

Ok I need help.

I got a character I'm gonna use as a villain.

But I'm saving him for a later date.

So how do I make it so no one can guess he's evil or up to no good.

 

-a~N

[PsychedelicPony 440]

An easy way if it is already in a story, is to use misdirection by placing small false foreshadowing clues to make the reader think another character is the villain so that the actual villain goes under the radar.

 

An example of this is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone  

[Alpha-neos 46]

An easy way if it is already in a story, is to use misdirection by placing small false foreshadowing clues to make the reader think another character is the villain so that the actual villain goes under the radar.

 

An example of this is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone  

 

Hmmm, never thought about that. o__o

How could something so simple!

Thanks a bunch. ^  ^

[PsychedelicPony 440]

Hmmm, never thought about that. o__o

How could something so simple!

Thanks a bunch. ^  ^

 

Haha no problem, I love when stories do that so I take notice of it and remember

[Alpha-neos 46]

Haha no problem, I love when stories do that so I take notice of it and remember

 

Maybe I should start doing that.

I think I need to pay more attention to plot points.

[PsychedelicPony 440]

Maybe I should start doing that.

I think I need to pay more attention to plot points.

 

Mhmm, a lot of subtle nuances that make stories seem to be better than others can be seen throughout a lot of critically acclaimed literature. For example, a lot of popular main characters follow the same heroic flaw of hubris, that allows for the thrusting of supporting characters to the spotlight, allowing a moral to be portrayed, to have a meaningful internal revelation of the main character, or a combination!

[Alpha-neos 46]

Mhmm, a lot of subtle nuances that make stories seem to be better than others can be seen throughout a lot of critically acclaimed literature. For example, a lot of popular main characters follow the same heroic flaw of hubris, that allows for the thrusting of supporting characters to the spotlight, allowing a moral to be portrayed, to have a meaningful internal revelation of the main character, or a combination!

 

Urm, could you explain that a bit more.

I'm not sure I understand the example fully.

Edited March 10, 2014 by Alpha-neos

[PsychedelicPony 440]

Urm, could you explain that a bit more.

I'm not sure I understand it fully. 

 

I was just pointing out a common thread in epics or stories with a main hero. A common trait for the hero to have across a lot of history (Oedipus in Greek Tragedy, Victor in Frankenstein, Odysseus in Greek Epics) is hubris, or extreme pride. These character's think they are all that and can do it no problem or by themselves. This usually makes the character fall flat on their face and give way to revelations, use of other characters to help the hero, or to advance a moral against hubris. This heroic flaw allows the plot to progress and gives a reason for the character to be defeated at some point in the story. 

 

This was just the first example I thought of at the top of my head to show some of the common ways authors employ to advance a plot, make it interesting, or in your case hide something from the audience.

[Alpha-neos 46]

I was just pointing out a common thread in epics or stories with a main hero. A common trait for the hero to have across a lot of history (Oedipus in Greek Tragedy, Victor in Frankenstein, Odysseus in Greek Epics) is hubris, or extreme pride. These character's think they are all that and can do it no problem or by themselves. This usually makes the character fall flat on their face and give way to revelations, use of other characters to help the hero, or to advance a moral against hubris. This heroic flaw allows the plot to progress and gives a reason for the character to be defeated at some point in the story. 

 

This was just the first example I thought of at the top of my head to show some of the common ways authors employ to advance a plot, make it interesting, or in your case hide something from the audience.

 

Alright I get it now.

Although I think Oedipus was just weird. o-o

[PsychedelicPony 440]

Alright I get it now.

Although I think Oedipus was just weird. o-o

 

I agree Oedipus is very weird haha also I forgot the Epic of Gilgamesh, the oldest written epic known to man

[Alpha-neos 46]

I agree Oedipus is very weird haha also I forgot the Epic of Gilgamesh, the oldest written epic known to man

 

I don't remember much of that.

But it was pretty interesting.

Don't forget Beowulf!

[PsychedelicPony 440]

Mhmm they all got dat hubris.

[Alpha-neos 46]

Mhmm they all got dat hubris.

 

Lol. XD

Yep gotta have dat hubris.

Edited March 10, 2014 by Alpha-neos

[PlunderSteed 1,252]

I disagree.  Hubris is too over-used.  Too convenient.  Kind of groan-inducing a lot of times.  Modest, humble people fall on their face and/or get blind-sided by other characters too.

 

As far as hiding a villain...as others already mentioned, subtly is good, but it's also perfectly fine to leave no clues whatsoever, right up until their villainy is revealed.

 

Also, for the love of all that is good, don't make the villain give a villainous speech where he revels his master plan, and then that leads directly to their undoing.  That's just...no.

 

Consider other films/games where the hidden villain worked pretty well:

Scary Movie (surprisingly) - even in this cheesy comedy, the real killer went to great lengths to conceal who he actually was, or that he was even capable of that kind of villainy

The Lord of the Rings - Saruman is more neutral than villainous, but within the context of the story, his actions reveal him to be a treacherous antagonist.  Still, it's understandable why he is so.

Minority Report - the "main antagonist" actually turns out to be a good guy, but gets shwacked by the real antagonist who masqueraded as a protagonist, and masterfully hid his scheme for decades

The Last of Us - the signs began to stack up near the end, but this is a perfect example of a morally (mentally?) corrupted character whose big reveal comes off as more tragic than outright villainous

Edited March 17, 2014 by NLR Information Minister

[Alpha-neos 46]

I disagree.  Hubris is too over-used.  Too convenient.  Kind of groan-inducing a lot of times.  Modest, humble people fall on their face and/or get blind-sided by other characters too.

 

As far as hiding a villain...as others already mentioned, subtly is good, but it's also perfectly fine to leave no clues whatsoever, right up until their villainy is revealed.

 

Also, for the love of all that is good, don't make the villain give a villainous speech where he revels his master plan, and then that leads directly to their undoing.  That's just...no.

 

Consider other films/games where the hidden villain worked pretty well:

Scary Movie (surprisingly) - even in this cheesy comedy, the real killer went to great lengths to conceal who he actually was, or that he was even capable of that kind of villainy

The Lord of the Rings - Saruman is more neutral than villainous, but within the context of the story, his actions reveal him to be a treacherous antagonist.  Still, it's understandable why he is so.

Minority Report - the "main antagonist" actually turns out to be a good guy, but gets shwacked by the real antagonist who masqueraded as a protagonist, and masterfully hid his scheme for decades

The Last of Us - the signs began to stack up near the end, but this is a perfect example of a morally (mentally?) corrupted character whose big reveal comes off as more tragic than outright villainous

 

Hmmmm.

So how do I avoid this "hubris" cliche?

I mean I kinda want my story to be well, not cliche.

If possible Cliche free.

Got any good examples of interesting main protagonists?

 

Also thanks!

These tips give me a good idea.