8/3/2019 Specific Characteristics of the Anti

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Specific characteristics of the Anti-Hero are required to build a comprehensive,

three-dimensional character that mirrors the exact archetype.

1. Ordinary World. The anti-hero is born into a world of hate, little love,

conflict, danger and strife. His survival has resulted on him adopting an attitude

of hate. Else, his nature is simply BAD.

2. True Nature. The anti-hero is naturally deceitful and controlling. He will twist

facts to suit his own image of himself, justify misdeeds and take advantage of

every opportunity, even at the expense of others.

3. Moral Code. The anti-hero will (often) have a moral code, which only he can

rationalize - he may defend his family or fight for specific causes - when these

are apparent, there is a chance that the anti-hero can flip to the good side. Many

anti-hero's have an element of humanity about them.

4. Loyal Ally. The anti-hero will often have a loyal ally, one whom is dependent on

him for various reasons. The loyal ally may be evil in nature (and ready to usurp

the anti-hero) or else be an understanding, good-natured sort. He will not or may

not believe that the anti-hero is truly evil in nature. Or he may simply ally

himself to the anti-hero for the benefit that can be gained.

5. Sacrificial Lambs. The anti-hero will befriend others but will sacrifice them to

his own ends. He is a being with few good friends and many enemies. His "friends"

will easily betray him.

6. Escape from his Ordinary World. The anti-hero will escape form his Ordinary

World - he will yearn to do it and will use any form of trickery he can muster. The

outside observer may understand the anti-hero's reason for escape and betterment

according to his personal value system.

7. Threshold Guardian. However, guardians will bar the anti-hero's escape.

8. But escape is achieved by carrying out a significant misdeed, possibly for adark mentor. This is the crossing the First Threshold.

9. The anti-hero is jealous and attached to the material rewards of others and is

motivated to attain them. This pushes him to attain such treasures once he has

escaped his Ordinary World.

10. There will be warnings that pursuing the path of jealousy and attachment is a

ruinous one, but the anti-hero will persist - it is his nature and prime

motivation. In fact, the hero searches for a Mentor who will lead him toward his

desires.

11. Threshold Guardians will bar advancement toward a Mentor. To advance, the anti-

hero must overcome these guardians - the price is not cheap and blood is

sacrificed. This is Physical Separation.

12. The anti-hero will meet his mentor, who turns out to be a father figure, the

one that the anti-hero never had. He sets the anti-hero on the correct path, within

the context of the dark world.

13. The mentor is king of his world and the anti-hero is increasingly jealous of

and attached to the rewards that his master has attained. He begins to have designs

for them.