Can you explain the statement 'a good villain is a hero in their own story'?

Often, villains have their own desires for change. Suppose there's a villain in a dystopian world who wants to overthrow a tyrannical government. But the methods they use are considered villainous by the general public. However, in their own eyes, they are heroes fighting for freedom and a better world for all, even if they cause chaos along the way.

Think about it this way. A villain may be causing chaos or harm in a story, but they might believe they are fighting for something important. Maybe they grew up in a world that was unfair to them, and now they want to change it in a way that others see as wrong. But to them, they are the ones on a noble quest. Just like Magneto in the X - Men comics. He believes mutants are superior and wants to protect them at all costs. His methods are villainous in the eyes of the X - Men, but he sees himself as a hero for his people. So, every good villain has their own narrative where they are the central figure trying to achieve what they think is right.

Sure. A well-written villain often has a complex backstory and goals that they believe are noble or necessary from their perspective. This can make them a hero in their own narrative.

Well, it means that every event in our lives, whether good or bad at the moment, is part of a bigger plan that will ultimately be for our benefit. For example, a job loss might seem horrible initially, but it could lead to finding a better career opportunity later.

Sure. The Joker in Batman stories. He sees the world as a chaotic place and he wants to show everyone that it's all just a big joke. To him, he's the one making people see the truth about how absurd life is, so he's the hero of his own demented story. Another example is Loki from the Thor movies. He feels overshadowed by Thor and wants to prove himself worthy. He believes his actions, even the devious ones, are a way to get the recognition he thinks he deserves, making him the hero in his own mind.

It means that in each person's own perspective, they are the central figure in their life journey. Just like in a story, the hero has their own goals, struggles and achievements. Everyone is living their own unique experience and they are the ones making decisions and facing consequences, thus seeing themselves as the hero of their own narrative.

Let's consider Magneto from X - Men. His quote 'The humans have always feared what they don't understand' reflects his view as a villain who has faced persecution from humans. His origin as a Holocaust survivor turned him into a mutant rights activist gone extreme. Professor X, the hero, has quotes about coexistence. His origin of having telepathic powers led him to believe in mutants and humans living together. Their stories are connected as they have different approaches to mutant - human relations, with their quotes highlighting their stances.

A good story with a villain and a hero needs a clear conflict between them. The villain's motives should be compelling, and the hero's journey to overcome the villain should be full of challenges and growth.

One great 'villain turned hero' novel is 'Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West'. It tells the story of Elphaba, who was originally seen as a villain in 'The Wizard of Oz' but in this novel, her complex backstory is revealed, showing how she could be considered a hero in her own right.

Definitely. A character can be both a hero and a villain depending on different perspectives. For instance, in a story about a revolution, a character might be seen as a hero by the rebels because he is fighting against an oppressive regime. But from the regime's point of view, he is a villain. This duality makes the character more interesting and the story more thought - provoking.