What makes a villain in fiction truly evil?

If a villain enjoys inflicting pain and suffering on others without any remorse, they can be seen as extremely evil. Hannibal Lecter from 'The Silence of the Lambs' not only kills people but also eats them. He takes pleasure in the horror he causes, which is what makes him so terrifyingly evil.

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.

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.

Well, for science fiction to be science fiction, it typically combines elements like scientific speculation, exploration of new frontiers, and sometimes social commentary on the impact of technology. It takes us to places and times that haven't happened yet but are based on scientific possibilities.

Well, for me, a great villain in fiction has to be really intimidating. Like, they should make the hero or the characters around them scared just by being there. For example, Hannibal Lecter in 'The Silence of the Lambs'. His intelligence and his creepy, cannibalistic nature are what make him a great villain.

The inclusion of scientific concepts and theories does the trick. It could be stuff like space exploration, time travel, or advanced technologies based on real science.

A great villain has to be memorable. Take Hannibal Lecter from 'The Silence of the Lambs'. His calm, intelligent, and yet extremely creepy demeanor makes him stick in your mind. He's not just a brute force villain but one who uses his intellect to manipulate those around him.

Yes, he could be seen as evil. His actions and motives throughout the story might suggest a malevolent nature.

Not really. Loki's character in the comic strip is more complex than just being purely evil. He often has his own motives and sometimes acts out of self-interest rather than pure malice.