Anti-Hero Antidote

I was roaming around on my favorite app Scribed, I had mentioned in my other post here: ‘Bookish Things I’m Loving’. To my surprise they already added the audiobook to ‘Vengeful’ by V.E. Schwab which is high on my TBR list as soon as I finish the other three books I’m reading. It got me thinking what makes a great Antihero? I complied my own list of important points I think separates Anti-heroes from heroes and villains. Of course, these are just my opinions you are a welcome to comment below on what you think makes a good anti-hero. 

1. Good Intentions gone bad: 

For an antihero, this is one vital element setting them apart from Heroes. This is a trait they share with Villains. Where the Hero knows what is right, they will do whatever they can to uphold goodness, and fairness to the end. At the cost of sometimes losing to the villain. The Anti-hero wants to do the right thing but chooses to do the wrong thing. This can be due to the right way not working for them. They believe they must get their hands dirty to get their wants and needs met. Or because they were once good until this path in some way betrayed them forcing them to drastically change.  

2.  Redeeming Qualities:  

Now this is vital. Heroes can have flaws, but they are never supposed to outweigh their redeemable qualities otherwise they are a weak character. A villain can have redeemable qualities and a tragic past, but both are never supposed to excuse their horrible deeds. Otherwise you end up with a Villain people feel sorry for. An Antihero, on the other hand, is a perfect balance between the two. Their redeemable qualities match their flaws, and wrong deeds making them likable but flawed. Like Kaz Brekker from the ‘Six of Crows’ series. He is ruthless and at times cold. Still, he cares for his crew like any leader does. If you kidnap or harm any of them, he will hunt you down to the ends of the earth. Just so he can personally destroy your life with his own hands.  

3. Moral Code:  

Some may argue Antiheroes are morally bankrupt which isn’t true. They still have a moral code. However, they will go further to defend themselves and the people they care about with limits. For example, a hero may think it is important to up hold a deal. Therefore, when someone doesn’t hold up their end of the bargain, they may have a few words with them, bring the person to court, or forget about it. A villain would go after the family, torture and kill them, before killing the person that wronged them, and maybe the dog for the heck of it. An Anti-hero will go after this person, threaten to cause harm to the family, but will only follow through if the target doesn’t uphold their end of the bargain. They may give the person many chances to wise up. In short, they will cross the line but won’t jump off the cliff.