Top five favourite villains
Everyone loves a good hero, but no story is complete unless the villain makes us question who's side we're really on. In celebration of The Stafford Festival Shakespeare's latest instalment - Othello, Stafford Gatehouse has put together the definitive list of villains so tantalisingly evil, we secretly love them.
One of Shakespeare's most popular tragedies, Othello is well-known as a play that gives the most lines and stage time to the villain, Iago. In fact, this character is so evil that Disney decided to name the parrot in Aladdin after him. Similar to the annoying-voiced cartoon bird, you can't help but admire the lengths Iago goes to in fulfilling his Machiavellian aims. Here are five more villains we love to hate.
Professor Moriarty
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's brilliantly evil adversary for his equally magnificent protagonist, Sherlock Holmes, is a perfect example of a juicy villain. Described by Holmes himself as the 'Napoleon of crime', Moriarty was introduced primarily as a narrative device to kill off poor Sherlock.
However, in the recent BBC adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, Moriarty - played brilliantly by Andrew Scott - is a more traditional nemesis, a constant thorn in the side and perfect evil counterbalance.
The Joker
The Joker has popped up in thousands of storylines in the DC Comics universe and is best known for tormenting the masked hero, Batman. With a possibly tragic back-story - see the internet for heated debates - The Joker is the Dark Knight's antithesis in a way that is reminiscent of Sherlock and Moriarty.
Again, a modern adaptation of the character is probably now the most well-known. Heath Ledger's poignant performance as The Joker is both unnervingly psychotic and endearing. An impressive mix of emotions to inspire in an audience and also a perfect reason to make the list.
Dick Dastardly and Muttley
Owner of arguably the fastest car of all the Wacky Races competitors, Dastardly theoretically could have won every race along with his sniggering canine sidekick. However, the duo always decided to lay traps for the other racers - classic behaviour of an evil genius... and his dog.
Failing to ever come first, Dastardly and Muttley have most probably had you shouting at the TV to get a move on and stop messing around with booby traps. Because no one wants the nauseating Peter Perfect to win really.
The White Witch
Beautiful, regal and a big fan of winter, the White Witch in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe initially comes across as a likeable character in C. S. Lewis' novel. She offers Edmund a hot drink and Turkish delight in an effort to win him over, but it soon becomes apparent her motives aren't all above board.
The White Witch's merciless command over her army of creatures is chillingly impressive and makes the final battle all the more tense. A fitting enemy, the White Witch is the perfect antithesis for Aslan's pure goodness.
Scar
You might not know this, but The Lion King is actually based on a Shakespearean play - Hamlet. In the Disney story, Scar (brilliantly voiced by Jeremy Irons) plays the cruel uncle who murders the hero's father and exiles the son. Extremely hard to side with him based on this information.
However, Irons' natural bassy drawl gives Scar an air of sophistication and you'll find yourself siding with him in his contempt for the quite frankly annoying Zazu. In fact, some would argue it would benefit the story greatly if he just ate the bird at the beginning of the story.
So there you have it, the top five villains that make stories great. If you want to see another irrepressible villain lighting up the stage, The Stafford Festival Shakespeare's Othello is running between June 23-July 9, 2016. For more information or to purchase tickets go to www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk/en-GB/shows/othello/info.
One of Shakespeare's most popular tragedies, Othello is well-known as a play that gives the most lines and stage time to the villain, Iago. In fact, this character is so evil that Disney decided to name the parrot in Aladdin after him. Similar to the annoying-voiced cartoon bird, you can't help but admire the lengths Iago goes to in fulfilling his Machiavellian aims. Here are five more villains we love to hate.
Professor Moriarty
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's brilliantly evil adversary for his equally magnificent protagonist, Sherlock Holmes, is a perfect example of a juicy villain. Described by Holmes himself as the 'Napoleon of crime', Moriarty was introduced primarily as a narrative device to kill off poor Sherlock.
However, in the recent BBC adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, Moriarty - played brilliantly by Andrew Scott - is a more traditional nemesis, a constant thorn in the side and perfect evil counterbalance.
The Joker
The Joker has popped up in thousands of storylines in the DC Comics universe and is best known for tormenting the masked hero, Batman. With a possibly tragic back-story - see the internet for heated debates - The Joker is the Dark Knight's antithesis in a way that is reminiscent of Sherlock and Moriarty.
Again, a modern adaptation of the character is probably now the most well-known. Heath Ledger's poignant performance as The Joker is both unnervingly psychotic and endearing. An impressive mix of emotions to inspire in an audience and also a perfect reason to make the list.
Dick Dastardly and Muttley
Owner of arguably the fastest car of all the Wacky Races competitors, Dastardly theoretically could have won every race along with his sniggering canine sidekick. However, the duo always decided to lay traps for the other racers - classic behaviour of an evil genius... and his dog.
Failing to ever come first, Dastardly and Muttley have most probably had you shouting at the TV to get a move on and stop messing around with booby traps. Because no one wants the nauseating Peter Perfect to win really.
The White Witch
Beautiful, regal and a big fan of winter, the White Witch in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe initially comes across as a likeable character in C. S. Lewis' novel. She offers Edmund a hot drink and Turkish delight in an effort to win him over, but it soon becomes apparent her motives aren't all above board.
The White Witch's merciless command over her army of creatures is chillingly impressive and makes the final battle all the more tense. A fitting enemy, the White Witch is the perfect antithesis for Aslan's pure goodness.
Scar
You might not know this, but The Lion King is actually based on a Shakespearean play - Hamlet. In the Disney story, Scar (brilliantly voiced by Jeremy Irons) plays the cruel uncle who murders the hero's father and exiles the son. Extremely hard to side with him based on this information.
However, Irons' natural bassy drawl gives Scar an air of sophistication and you'll find yourself siding with him in his contempt for the quite frankly annoying Zazu. In fact, some would argue it would benefit the story greatly if he just ate the bird at the beginning of the story.
So there you have it, the top five villains that make stories great. If you want to see another irrepressible villain lighting up the stage, The Stafford Festival Shakespeare's Othello is running between June 23-July 9, 2016. For more information or to purchase tickets go to www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk/en-GB/shows/othello/info.
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