I hear the term "anti-hero" thrown around all the time. Connected to iconic names like these:
Hannibal Lecter
Michael Corleone
Han Solo
Jack Sparrow
Bruce Wayne
Tony Montana
Harry Callahan
Parker
Max Rockatansky
Travis Bickle
Paul Kersey
Tom Ripley
Rick Blaine
Thomas Crown
But no one can agree on a *specific* definition--I bet the list above causes all sorts of debate.
This I know: if the anti-hero is the protagonist, that means they are the character who solves the central story problem--they are engaged in a compelling goal against a ruthlessly committed opponent. But what makes them an anti-hero versus a hero? Methods? Motivations?
I have also heard that a hero must be sympathetic--usually because they are a victim of undeserved misfortune. Yet most of the above are victims of undeserved misfortune. Or they are sympathetic because they are smart or charming or great at what they do. Or all of these.
Just to add to the confusion, I found this attempt to discuss a "sliding scale" of anti-heroes:
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...leOfAntiHeroes
So is the term "anti-hero" a useful concept...or film-school bunk?
Your thoughts?
Hannibal Lecter
Michael Corleone
Han Solo
Jack Sparrow
Bruce Wayne
Tony Montana
Harry Callahan
Parker
Max Rockatansky
Travis Bickle
Paul Kersey
Tom Ripley
Rick Blaine
Thomas Crown
But no one can agree on a *specific* definition--I bet the list above causes all sorts of debate.
This I know: if the anti-hero is the protagonist, that means they are the character who solves the central story problem--they are engaged in a compelling goal against a ruthlessly committed opponent. But what makes them an anti-hero versus a hero? Methods? Motivations?
I have also heard that a hero must be sympathetic--usually because they are a victim of undeserved misfortune. Yet most of the above are victims of undeserved misfortune. Or they are sympathetic because they are smart or charming or great at what they do. Or all of these.
Just to add to the confusion, I found this attempt to discuss a "sliding scale" of anti-heroes:
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...leOfAntiHeroes
So is the term "anti-hero" a useful concept...or film-school bunk?
Your thoughts?
Comment