What makes a villain the most evil in fiction?

A villain in fiction is truly evil when they have no regard for the lives or well - being of others. For example, Sauron in The Lord of the Rings wants to enslave all of Middle - earth just for his own power. He doesn't care about the destruction and death he causes. Another aspect is when they take pleasure in causing pain, like the Joker in Batman. He enjoys chaos and making people suffer.

One could argue that Voldemort from the Harry Potter series is a very strong contender. He is responsible for countless murders, including the death of Harry Potter's parents. He aims to dominate the wizarding world, oppressing those who are not pure - bloods and showing no mercy to those who oppose him.

One factor is their motivation. If their motivation is purely self - centered and involves harming others on a large scale, they can be seen as very evil. Take Darth Vader from 'Star Wars' for instance. He was initially lured to the dark side by the promise of power, and in the process, he committed many atrocities, like destroying entire planets. However, his character also has some complexity as he later redeemed himself, but during his time as a Sith Lord, he was a symbol of great evil. Another aspect is their methods. Characters who use cruel and sadistic methods to achieve their goals are often regarded as evil. The White Witch from 'The Chronicles of Narnia' froze Narnia in eternal winter and turned many of its inhabitants to stone, showing her extreme cruelty.

Power combined with a lack of morality. For example, if a powerful alien race in science fiction uses its advanced technology to enslave weaker races just for fun or to gain more resources without any ethical consideration. That's pure evil. They could be doing it on a large scale, across galaxies perhaps, and not care about the suffering they cause.

Well, a character that is the most evil in fiction often has a goal that is inherently wrong and harmful. Like the White Witch in 'The Chronicles of Narnia'. She wants to keep Narnia in an eternal winter and kill all the Narnians who oppose her. Her actions are cold - blooded and her heart is filled with hatred. They also don't show any mercy or remorse for their actions. No matter how much pain and suffering they cause, they just keep on with their evil plans without a second thought.

Their impact on the story and other characters is another factor. In 'A Song of Ice and Fire', Joffrey Baratheon is detested for his sadistic and cruel nature. His actions towards Sansa Stark and others are so heinous that his character is unforgettable. His evil drives much of the political and personal drama in the story.

The complexity of their evilness. Hannibal Lecter in 'The Silence of the Lambs' is not just a simple killer. He's highly intelligent, cultured, and yet has this dark side where he can be extremely cruel. His ability to manipulate those around him while being locked up in prison adds to his memorable nature.

Well, for me, a great villain in fiction has to be really menacing. Like Darth Vader in 'Star Wars'. His deep voice, his black suit, and his powerful Force abilities make him look super scary. And he has a clear goal of ruling the galaxy.

One factor is their power. A villain who is extremely powerful, such as Lord Voldemort with his dark magic, is more likely to be famous. Their relationship with the hero is crucial too. The antagonistic relationship between Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty makes Moriarty well - known. Additionally, a villain's backstory can contribute. If it's tragic or complex, like Maleficent's, it can make them stand out. People are interested in understanding why a villain became who they are. Also, their influence on the story world is important. If they change the course of events significantly, like Sauron in The Lord of the Rings, they'll be remembered.

Sauron in 'Lord of the Rings' is evil because he wants to enslave all of Middle - earth. His power is so great that it corrupts those around him. He creates a sense of hopelessness and fear among the free peoples of Middle - earth, and his very existence is a threat to all life and beauty in that world.