My Favorite Female
Villains in
Literature
by A.E. Albert
"I firmly believe that a story is only as good as the villain."
-Clive Barker
Cersei had an affair with her brother, attempted to murder a child, murdered her husband, killed the king's bastard child and birthed one of the most evil monarchs in Westeros' history. However, these crimes are not what makes her the heinous villain she is.
Cersei was born to privilege and status and so it was only natural that she marry Robert Baratheon, the usurper king. Cersei doesn't rule with any notion of duty and service. She was willing to let the people of Westeros starve and die to ensure her bloodline's claim to the throne.
They say behind every successful man is a woman. In this case, behind MacBeth's cunning rise to kingship was his wife, the lady MacBeth.
She pushes her weak in character husband to murder his king and seek the crown for himself. Yet, despite her machinations and stealth, she is her own undoing and finally succumbs to madness.
She pushes her weak in character husband to murder his king and seek the crown for himself. Yet, despite her machinations and stealth, she is her own undoing and finally succumbs to madness.
If you're going to commit an act of evil, at least do it yourself. MacBeth was weak and if pushed in the right direction, he may have went that way. But his wife used this flaw for her own desires.
It is one thing to corrupt yourself, but an even greater sin to corrupt another. She may have not murdered Duncan herself, but she is no less guilty.
It is one thing to corrupt yourself, but an even greater sin to corrupt another. She may have not murdered Duncan herself, but she is no less guilty.
Bellatrix Lestrange: Harry Potter Series
Bellatrix Lestrange: Deatheater, ex-prisoner of Azkaban and murderer of Sirius Black. What puts her on this list isn't actually these deeds in themselves, but her attitude.
She utterly relished the pain she inflicted on others. Her high pitched laugh and little girl dance may even convince you she is insane. But alas she is not. She is just an evil woman without remorse or regret. I put this magical sociopath high on my villains list.
Miranda Priestly: The Devil Wears Prada
I think the Devil Wears Prada is one of the most aptly named novels of our time. When I imagine the devil I don't see a fire spitting goat with a bad temper. No, I see a white haired woman with hooded eyes and an arrogant facade; who can do more damage with nothing more than a whisper. Nothing describes our editor in chief more accurately.
What makes her so evil isn't the fear she instills in other. It's the shame. She is a talented manipulator who can induce a self-loathing in others whose only crime was to not have completed a task to her liking.
Veruca Salt: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Veruca is the daughter of a nut factory owner. Since the day she was born she has been given everything she wants; even if the item is absurd or costly. Her father halted his production lines and made his workers do nothing but search for the coveted golden ticket, for heaven's sake.
What gives Veruca high villian status, or should I say villain in training; is her bully tendencies. Who does she bully? Her parents, of course. She is void of any empathy for others and re-defines what it is to be self-centered.
But then again, as Mary Shelley ponders; who is monster? The monster or it's creator?
Dolores Umbridge: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
No, Dolores Umbridge is not on my list just because she took dumbledore's job. Yes, that is hate-worthy, but she is, oh, so much more than that.
Fundamentally, she's racist. It is her belief that magical people are the superior race on earth. People must fit into the mould she created and if they don't; she is abusive and even murderous.
Dolores possesS a convoluted sense of purpose and she believes her actions are for the betterment for magical kind.
Medea: The play Medea
If you have read the play, thEn you I haven't much to say here. She sought revenge against her lover, Jason. Well, she did help him escape Colchis when he stole the golden fleece. Afterwards, they did sail away into the sunset aboard the Argo.
But....when he decided to leave her and their numerous children for a political marriage; well, she killed them. When I say them, I mean all of her children. She than tricked a king to give her sanctuary; leaving Jason to mourn forever the loss of his beloved children.
Annie Wilkes: Misery
The famous author, Paul Sheldon, becomes stranded in rural Colorado with a broken leg. He is rescued by former nurse and is number one fan, Annie Wilkes. Paul quickly finds his status changed from patient to prisoner.
What makes Annie so frightening is her gentle and caring facade. Anyone could be her next victim. Of course...we writers are a little more to her taste.
I love a strong female character. Even the dastardly diabolical ones. They may even be my favorite.
Who is your favorite female villain? Let me know.
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She utterly relished the pain she inflicted on others. Her high pitched laugh and little girl dance may even convince you she is insane. But alas she is not. She is just an evil woman without remorse or regret. I put this magical sociopath high on my villains list.
Miranda Priestly: The Devil Wears PradaI think the Devil Wears Prada is one of the most aptly named novels of our time. When I imagine the devil I don't see a fire spitting goat with a bad temper. No, I see a white haired woman with hooded eyes and an arrogant facade; who can do more damage with nothing more than a whisper. Nothing describes our editor in chief more accurately.
What makes her so evil isn't the fear she instills in other. It's the shame. She is a talented manipulator who can induce a self-loathing in others whose only crime was to not have completed a task to her liking.
Veruca Salt: Charlie and the Chocolate FactoryVeruca is the daughter of a nut factory owner. Since the day she was born she has been given everything she wants; even if the item is absurd or costly. Her father halted his production lines and made his workers do nothing but search for the coveted golden ticket, for heaven's sake.
What gives Veruca high villian status, or should I say villain in training; is her bully tendencies. Who does she bully? Her parents, of course. She is void of any empathy for others and re-defines what it is to be self-centered.
But then again, as Mary Shelley ponders; who is monster? The monster or it's creator?
Dolores Umbridge: Harry Potter and the Order of the PhoenixNo, Dolores Umbridge is not on my list just because she took dumbledore's job. Yes, that is hate-worthy, but she is, oh, so much more than that.
Fundamentally, she's racist. It is her belief that magical people are the superior race on earth. People must fit into the mould she created and if they don't; she is abusive and even murderous.
Dolores possesS a convoluted sense of purpose and she believes her actions are for the betterment for magical kind.
Medea: The play MedeaIf you have read the play, thEn you I haven't much to say here. She sought revenge against her lover, Jason. Well, she did help him escape Colchis when he stole the golden fleece. Afterwards, they did sail away into the sunset aboard the Argo.
But....when he decided to leave her and their numerous children for a political marriage; well, she killed them. When I say them, I mean all of her children. She than tricked a king to give her sanctuary; leaving Jason to mourn forever the loss of his beloved children.
Annie Wilkes: MiseryThe famous author, Paul Sheldon, becomes stranded in rural Colorado with a broken leg. He is rescued by former nurse and is number one fan, Annie Wilkes. Paul quickly finds his status changed from patient to prisoner.
What makes Annie so frightening is her gentle and caring facade. Anyone could be her next victim. Of course...we writers are a little more to her taste.
I love a strong female character. Even the dastardly diabolical ones. They may even be my favorite.
Who is your favorite female villain? Let me know.
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