The Anti-Hero vs. The Bad Boy pt 2

 

What's on the iPod : Beat the Devil's Tattoo by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
 

Last Saturday I posted about one of our favorite characters, the Bad Boy, and what makes him tick, that undeniable list of qualities that just about any bad boy I can think of has. Today, I want to address the misunderstood Anti-Hero and the possibility that he may be way badder and perhaps closer to our hearts.

What got me thinking about the difference between these two character types was a google search for a Han Solo character analysis. In a great post HERE from Saga Journal dated 2007, I could definitely see the author's explanation that Han is great example of the Anti-Hero and his arcing journey, one that so many more everyday people can identify with. Then I started thinking about other characters that could be classified as the perfect, lovable Anti-Hero and Captain Jack Sparrow came to mind, and Sawyer from Lost and Damon Salvatore from the Vampire Diaries, even Sonny from General Hospital.

So what are the pre-requisites for the Anti-Hero, you ask, well.....
1.) He's a pirate - in some shape or form. I'd even go as far as to say that mobsters could be classified as modern pirates.
2.) He owns a ship, has stolen a ship, or has won or lost his ship in a game of chance.
3.) He's a betting man and you can bet he's probably lost more than he's won, though nine times out of ten he did win his ship by betting.
4.) He, like the bad boy, has a pet name for the heroine/love interest. Sawyer calls Kate Freckles, and as mentioned before Han has several names for Leia like Your Royal Highness, Princess, and Sweetheart (all said with that underscore of sarcasm).
5.) His heroic deeds are fueled by a need to save their neck, save their stuff, or get a reward.
6.) They only think of themselves first, except when it comes to a beautiful - most likely in distress- damsel.
7.) He doesn't believe in hokey religions and nothing compares to a good blaster, flintlock pistol, or glock by his side.
8.) He's only out for numero uno and Numero Uno needs cash...cold hard credits or gold or anything salvaged from that downed Aussie flight.
9.) He's usually caught in his own con - and it's usually by the heroine.
10.) If he's in a love triangle for the heroine's attention, his competition is the do-gooder doctor, or his own vegetarian vampire brother, or the heroine's secret half-brother that's a jedi-in-training, but don't worry WE want the anti-hero to claim the heroine because he's had to work extra hard against his own devious nature to win her heart.
11.) Mr. Anti-hero is so insecure and selfish that he can't admit how much he likes the heroine, but he will bait and goad her until she admits it first, and usually he does this with increasing sarcastic remarks laced with innuendo. "Careful with the goods, love." ~Jack Sparrow.
12.) He's got a "furry" sidekick, whether in the shape of one tall Wookie or a rum sipping first-mate, and this lovable fuzzball side-kick tends to be the Anti-Hero's conscious.
13.) Have I mentioned the smirk?

             
        

So is the Anti-Hero a Bad-Boy or the Bad Boy an Anti-Hero? My personal opinion is that the Anti-Hero can definitely be a bad boy, but I think, the difference is in these Anti-hero's motivations. They're selfish first and through a connection with the heroine, or hero and friends, they change and realize that their motivations to be heroic stem from their desire to put other's first and that the reward of friendship and love is better than the solitary journey they were once on.
As for the bad boy if he's the hero then his motivations are more altruistic from the start. He just has a jaded past that perhaps shadows his actions and reactions, but his heart is in the right place to begin with.

So what are your thoughts? Any other qualities you think the Anti-Hero has? Leave a comment!

The Bad Boy vs. The Anti-Hero part 1

What's on iTunes : Awakening by Switchfoot

Last weekend a Twitter conversation had me thinking all week. Author Gwen Hayes was reminiscing about the good ole days of Days...Days of Our Lives...and the resident 80s bad boys Bo Brady and Steve "Patch" Johnson. They were so bad that they were sworn enemies, that is until Bo's sister Kayla changed Patch for good. (Hence the reason I loved Patch and Kayla more than Bo and Hope). Days' resident bad boys were the epitome of the term. They rode motorcycles, carried switchblades, lived on boats and in lofts, kidnapped their love interests, fought dirty, and fell hard for their loves. In fact, despite explosions, death cruises, reincarnations, mysterious southern plantations, ect...these two rebels ultimately stayed with their loves - a huge feat in the world of soaps.

Awesome 80s mullet hair.

 After that conversation, I realized where my deep rooted love of the bad boy hero had sprung from - years of watching Days of Our Lives. In honor of my two favorite 80s Bad Boys Bo and Steve, I've compiled a list of Bad Boy pre-requisites...see if you favorite bad boy hero has any or all of them....(I know mine does as well as a few of my favorites like Jace Wayland)........


1.) Must drive, own or steal a motorcycle.

2.) Have unkept, a little too long hair that covers their eyes - to make them look a little more, well, secretive.
3.) Have possession of a blade in the form a dagger, switchblade, seraph blade, sword and know how to use it VERY well.

4.) Have a pet name for the heroine, for instance FancyFace (Bo's name for Hope), Sweetness (Patch's name for Kayla), Little Girl (Jace calls Clary this for half of COB), Sweetheart (Han's name for Leia - but we'll get to Han later).

5.) Sarcastic remarks are all they can think of when in a tight situation - usually the intense romantic kind.

5.) Have been or currently are a soldier, warrior, (shadow)hunter, or mercenary.

 

6.) The heroine calls them dangerous like it's a good thing.

7.) The hero has a jaded past that most likely includes killing things, ie demons, spies, imperials.


If you have any to add...leave a comment!
Now, this thought led to my next one. As I was thinking on my new character Orion, I realized that he wasn't the typical bad boy. He had been a knight, anointed by Arthur, but after centuries in captivity in the mythical realm of Avalon, he's more jaded, more cocky, and outright selfish. I started thinking of characters that had these characteristics....But I'll get to the anti-hero and why he may be even badder than the bad boy in part 2 next time......