TOP 5 VILLAINS in classic literature

Who are amongst the top 5 villains in classic literature would you say? Of course making a list of top 5 baddies is always going to be subjective.
In this video I take a look at 5 villains in classic literature which certainly have a claim to being high up in the rankings.
Which 5 would you pick?
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0:00 - Intro
00:27 - Villain #1
3:04 - Villain #2
06:38 - Villain #3
10:01 - Villain #4
14:22 - Villain #5
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[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

So, which 5 baddies would you pick?! 😃

[@ambision4114]

Judge Holden from Blood Meridian is the best villain I've ever read.

[@raimobin45]

If we are including groups as well then my picks would be: 1) The Martians and Morlocks from H.G Wells works 2) Edmund 'Bastard of Gloucester' from King Lear 3) Morgoth/Sauron from Lord of Rings Lore 4) Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights 5) Long John Silver from Treasure Island

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Do you know, I almost put Long John Silver in this video! So pleased you mentioned him. Also, Edmund is a to choice.

[@theawesomeaustin789]

Cathy Ames from East of Eden still takes the cake for me

[@thunderhawk2567]

When you talked about how hypnotically eloquent Richard III was, and how he spoke such delicious poison, Lord Henry Wotton from Dorian Gray immediately came to mind. Also, I think Kurtz from Heart of Darkness deserves a mention if you ever make a sequel to this video; I would love to see more.

[@kimberly5411]

A few additions would be: 1. Alex d’Urberville 2. Rebecca ( in Daphne du Maurier’s book of the same name) 3. Count Fosco

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Rebecca is such a good call. Bonus points for coming at it from a different angle. The villain that haunts every scene. Such a great story.

[@anniinavivian]

Your energy is just so contagious, I feel so excited now about reading more Shakespeare (and all other classics you are talking about) 😊✨🤍 Just recently discovered your channel and my to-be-read list has like 20 new books after just a few of your videos 😄 just love your videos and how you discuss literature!

[@mtnshelby7059]

My vote for most insidious villain is Mrs Danvers in Rebecca (a character who has resulted in outstanding film performances). And maybe best dead villain is Rebecca herself.

[@umara1015]

Dickens was phenomenal with villains whether they were serious or comical. It would be hard to choose one from his catalogue of characters.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Isn't that the truth!!! Dickens crossed my mind as I made this video. Like you say though it's a hard call.😃👍

[@umara1015]

His most underrated villain is probably Orlick from Great Expectations. I always found it annoying that he was removed from so many adaptations of the novel.

[@i_readclassics]

@@umara1015 what about Uriah Heep? He's genteel villain

[@umara1015]

@@i_readclassics He's great, too!

[@DUFMAN123]

Of the novels I have personally read: The vengeful and monomaniacal Captain Ahab! The Pigs of Animal Farm Humbert Humbert in Lolita Raskolnikov in Crime and Punishment Shakespeare's Macbeth, and Lady Macbeth for that matter too

[@carolb.4837]

Bob Ewell from “To kill a Mockingbird “ is my idea of a villain. Cruel ,vengeful, righteous and ordinary, if he existed in the 2020s I imagine he would be “trolling “ people like mad !

[@andyworkman8699]

I think Madam Defarge is right up there with the worst of them. She is relentless, blind to individual human nature, and so steeped in her own conviction of the moral correctness of her actions that she is completely irredeemable, but more importantly she doesn't want to be redeemed and that makes her the worst kind of villian.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Wow, I'd forgotten Madam Defarge! She is NASTY. She changed my view of knitting, that's for sure. 😅

[@axlramirez14]

What a wonderful video, Tristan! I truly loved it. 👏 You made me think of my top 5 worst villains ever, and here is my list: 1) Ambrosio from The Munk 2) Morris Townsend from Washington Square 3) The Marquise de Merteuil from Dangerous Liaisons 4) Captain Ahab from Moby Dick 5) Roger Chillingworth from The Scarlet Letter Cheers! ☺️

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Morris Townsend, what an interesting choice. Not many will think of him, I'm sure. He is rather awful now you've reminded me of him. I love the last few paragraphs of that book.😃👍

[@TiffWaffles]

Recently read The Monk... yeah, definitely is one of the worst villains I have read in a very long time. He definitely surpasses Milady de Winter, in my book. I mean, I will always love Dumas and the way he chose to depict this woman character, but I wish he fleshed her out a little more. Made her more conniving and a little more evil- but for a woman character written in the 19th century, she's one of the best developed female characters. Well, other than Lady Audley...

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

Ohhhh I love a good villian!! Great video!

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

They're more colourful than the heroes generally aren't they. I've always thought that I'd prefer to play a villain than a hero in a film. They have so much more fun.😅❤

[@yvettem.holland5072]

What a great video! Thank you!

[@charmainesaliba5546]

Wow there are some nasty characters in this list. I only read 1984 and honestly, it is the scariest book that I have ever read. I read it years ago and I am still thinking about it especially in this times with what is going on in the world. I would like to reread it, hopefully this year. I am intrigued by all these villains especially MiLady. When I think of villians I always think of bad guys, it might be that the books I read the bad ones are always the guys so it is interesting to read about bad wowen too. While I was watching this video I thought of Heathcliff in wuthering heights and also Rochester in Jane Eyre. The two are very different Heathcliff being a pure evil, the only mission in life is to ruin others life. In my humble opinion is that he had killed Catherine. Ok she had some kind of mental illness and what he did to her has contributed to her early grave. Rochester, on the other hand, is not evil as Heathcliff but he is also manipulative and was ready to do everything to gain Jane's affection. A couple of since that come to mind are, in the library, acting as a fortune teller and the way he act with a lady ( don't remember her name) making Jane think he was going to marry her. Well and of course the wedding day. I hear often that Rochester is romantic but in my humble opion is a villian, a manipulative and a danger man. Thanks for sharing this video really enjoyed it.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Rochester is an Interesting choice. He certainly is callous towards Jane on many an occasion and seems to enjoy tormenting those around him. He is a typical Byronic hero/villain hero.👍😃❤

[@Vesnicie]

The Becky Sharpe school of villainy is a great one.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

That would be a great name for an Academy 😀

[@PoiemaLee]

I love your enjoyment of the final passage you read, it's contagious! Well done.

[@marthacanady9441]

Let’s do a follow up on the 5 greatest heroes in classic lit. What do you think?

[@margueritespringer3687]

Love your channel ❤️ Thanku

[@merccadoosis8847]

FANTASTIC VIDEO! Superb analysis of these literary villains. For some reason that I cannot explain, villains have always appealed to me. Growing up in Brooklyn, NY I have watched professional wrestling ever since I was a little kid in the mid 1950s and it is the bad guys whom I have always loved (still do). My Top Five villains? Difficult to say but here are some for your consideration: MacBeth - because of his delusionalism and ambition, he subverted an entire nation, killed off the King and and every possible opponent, and fought to defend his evil ways until the very end. Viktor Komarovsky - *Dr Zhivago* ~ evil manipulator. Used and exploited everybody in order to save his pitiful butt. I thought Rod Steiger's interpretation of the character was the greatest role ever portrayed in Hollywood history. Watch the movie as it is excellent. But look in particular at the role played by Mr Steiger. It is awesome beyond belief. Lucifer/Satan - he gleefully subverts the entire world and makes millions pay a price for his evil actions (though I should note that according to the Bible, God, not Satan, is the actual creator of all evil as per Isaiah 45:7). Governor Endicott - *Maypole of Merrymount* whose literary and real life bigotry and intolerance set such a terrible example for the USA. A human Satan personified. Even though I'm normally a pacifist who would rather run from a fight, he is the one character that makes me wish I could reach into the pages of a book, pull him from it and strangle him to the point where he cries "Uncle". But here is my ultimate villain - surprise! It is the Dalek from *Dr Who* - the only villain who traveled throughout the entire Universe in order to try to conquer it. But there's more: at first they traveled all over and used revolutionary means to try to conquer civilizations. After 500 years of trying and failing because so many different planets allied themselves against them, the Daleks went back to Skaro and begged Davros their creator (whom they thought they killed) to again try to help them conquer. Thereafter, every where they went they tried to adopt self defense methods and technology used by other civilizations to enhance their military power. Thus, *the Daleks are the only villains in literary history to use EVOLUTION as a means of conquering the Universe* - this is unique in all of literature. I have never seen this in all my readings before or since I came across them decades ago. And to think ~ Terry Nation was inspired by a group of salt & pepper shakers when he invented them! Those are my Top Five.

[@nobodysfool4444]

I love this analysis!

[@merccadoosis8847]

@@nobodysfool4444 😃

[@lucyjazz1]

Hi Tristan, great video, as usual 😁

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Thank you Lucy.☺❤

[@rickross4245]

To your list I’d have to add the Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont, both from Les Liaisons Dangereuses

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

I really need to read that book again. I can't remember anything about it.

[@rickross4245]

@@tristanandtheclassics6538 I’m sure you’ll love it. I find these two characters to be truly evil.

[@duffypratt]

Here are som candidates not mentioned: The Marquise de Merteuil from Les Liasons Dangereuses Oswald from James’ Portrait of a Lady Tom Buchanan from The Great Gatsby Bayaz from Joe Abercrombie’s The First Law series (though in that series you can take your pick; they are all great and all villainous). And I already endorsed MiLady.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Great list Duffy. I cannot remember the Marquise, even though I read the book. It was a long time ago and it didn't make an impression on me. I keep meaning to reread it but the past vague memory of it puts me off. I'll look it out again on your recommendation. I've not read any Abercrombie, so that's something I need to fix. Buchanan is a thug of the first order. I'd forgotten about him.

[@moncoinlecture]

Regarding the Villains, Milady would also make my list. I love that character!

[@bondjames8510]

Please do part 2! Like in advance 🙃

[@genemcn3579]

Richard III is probably my favorite historical villain (as Shakespeare wrote him ) -- so bad, he's great. In fact, I joined a Ricardian society just because I've loved the character! Also David Troughton from the BBC Arkangel recording is probably the best Richard III I've heard or seen.

[@lilliedoubleyou3865]

Listening to your commentary about 1984 made me realize the parallels between this novel and a film that I appreciate more than I actually like, the German language "The Lives of Others." The Stasi were basically the living manifestations of Big Brother, yeesh.

[@alexanderweissvontrostprug4945]

And do not forget Dangerous Liaisons, two villains competing, cruelty taken to the limit.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Good call 👍

[@BookLover19]

The villain in Wilkie Collins’ The Woman in White is one of the best in all of literature, imo

[@breaghboo-gc7ub]

Count Fosco

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

David Copperfield's Uriah Heep immediately came to mind. What a creep! And modern classics I would say Scarlett O'Hara.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Good choice with heap, though I did not see O'hara coming! By the way you make great videos. Your way of presenting is so natural and enthusiastic. ❤😃

[@Falconlibrary]

He was 'umble, very 'umble

[@Artoveli]

Great video! Including Big Brother on this list makes a lot of sense! I read David Copperfield for the first time this year, and I have thoughts. While I agree that Uriah is awful, really all he actually does is plan and manipulate. Fortunately he’s stopped and his plans are undone. So if you ask me, the REAL villain of that story is Steerforth. What an absolute SLIMEBALL! Not only for what he does in seducing Little Em’ly and destroying her family, but for what he does with her afterward, once he’s had his fun. Uriah gets all the attention, and for some reason I’ve never heard anyone talk about what a despicable villain Steerforth is. But I think he’s theee wooorst. XD Another despicable villain is Steerpike, from Melvyn Peake’s Gormenghast (huh, another ‘steer’ name!), and I think Swelter (the cook) is also pretty horrific.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Uriah is a cracking choice. Not the typical villain. He lacks greatness but creeps like a cowardly black mould with his insidious progress. Such a dislike able character. 😒

[@Artoveli]

@@tristanandtheclassics6538 Lol, he’s bad, but as I said, he’s NOT my choice for worst villain. Steerforth gets my vote.

[@theelegantcouplesbookrevie8734]

Count Fosco and Oliver Haddo! We just read Stoker's The Jewel of Seven Stars so adding Queen Tera to the list!

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Weyhey Fosco! He'd totally slipped my mind. What a book BTW. Not read the Jewel of Seven Stars. I'll have to look into that.

[@duffypratt]

It’s funny how people neglect to mention that D’Artagnan’s ‘indiscretion’ with MiLady is that he raped her. I think she is the best villain I’ve read - brilliant and a complete badass. And I also think it would be great to see a reworking of the story from the point of view of both her and Richelieu. It would be very easy to present them as the defenders of France (they literally are), and to cast Anne and the Musketeers as the villains. They are selfish, acting largely for personal motives, and commit treason (or near treason) by abetting Anne’s treasonous affair with the Duke of Buckingham.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Loved this comment Duffy 👏 D'Artagnan's conduct with milady was a disgrace. One thing I like about the trilogy though is how Dumas doesn't make D'gnan a great hero from the get go. Athos is probably the most admirable of the characters, in my opinion. Dumas did write a book more focused on Richelieu. The Red Sphinx, I think it was. The real Richelieu was actually a pretty amazing statesman and, as you say, more loyal to France. Though he had his motives also.😃

[@captainnolan5062]

Some that come to mind: Big Brother from Middle Earth - Sauron (another person/entity type villain). The Wicked Witch of the West (from the Wizard of Oz). The Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland. Dolokhov from War and Peace.

[@adrienne4028]

My 5 baddies are: Simon Lagree, Miss Trunchbull, Uriah Heep, Dolores Umbridge, and of course Lord Voldemort.👹

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Oh Simon Lagree!!! He is just sickeningly inhumane. As for Voldemort, I wondered how long it would take for someone to bring him up. It was inevitable really😅👍

[@Meg-go5le]

I read 1984 in high school many decades ago. As a teenager it bored me and I thought it could never happen. But based on this video, I am going to read it again while comparing it to today’s society. In my opinion, Big Brother exists today in the form of MSM, Big Tech, and the cookies on the internet that target what you are thinking about buying by bombarding you with ads until you feel you can’t live without what had been a passing fancy.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

1984 is spookily prescient. People today still behave like proles though and can't see the real state of the world.

[@tbritz13]

We are living 1984 today! The TV spies on everyone that has one. You can't talk about something without suddenly seeing commercials for that very thing. Our government lies and is treasonous.

[@patriciadeane7250]

Richard III executed my 12th & 13th great grandfather so he would be my top pick for a villain.

[@maryanncarl646]

Loved your video! But I want to ask why you still cling to Shakespeare's view of Richard III when what he wrote has no basis in history? Most of what he has written isn't remotely factual and is now (in some quarters) seen as the Tudors ' attempt to strengthen their claim to the throne which was shaky at best.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Hi Mary Ann😃 Great question! My attitude toward Richard III in regard to Shakespeare is purely as a character in a play. I take him as he is written for the play. As that figure, he is a tremendous villain. As for the historical Richard, that's very curious. For sure the play was going to be careful not to portray Richard well at all. After all, Henry VII was Elizabeth's grandad! Having said that, here are some interesting things to consider. In their exuberance to vindicate Richard, many began to deny his negative attributes, including specific rejection of his physical weaknesses. That was an outright piece of lying propaganda according to experts. Yet how would they know this since his body was undiscovered? When it finally was discovered in Leicester, lo and behold, it had a excruciating scoliosis which would have left him with a visibly raised shoulder and one shortened leg. Shakespeare was correct. Also, why didn't Shakespeare elevate Henry VII? A great piece of Tudorian propaganda would surely have been a History of Henry VII great Victor of the civil war. As for the princes in the tower, that is far from settled. I'm happy for Richard to be innocent but one has to admit that he had means, motive and opportunity to kill in a time when it would not have been the most unthinkable thing to do. Even the rumours at the time said the king did it There is a 2021 study that has found greater evidence that Richard gave the order. There's other stuff as well that could make an interesting video. As I say though, I'm quite content to go along with the modern view. But when talking of Shakespeare's Richard, I mean just that; the character Richard of the play not the real one. Thanks so much for bringing this up Mary Ann😃❤

[@maryanncarl646]

@@tristanandtheclassics6538 I agree with your assessment that taken purely as written by Shakespeare the portrayal of the character, Richard is brilliant. Thanks for the clarification.

[@joannemoore3976]

I am not even sure Shakespeare wants us to believe his portrayal is historical. There is the knowing question about whether a woman (Anne Neville) was ever in this humour wooed, in this humour won. We know he is in a way a caricature based on earlier Tudor depictions of Richard. But Shakespeare uses him as an exploration of the amoral and ruthless pursuit of power.

[@patriciadeane7250]

1984 was the most difficult and depressing book I have ever read in my life.

[@sophiemayth45]

Heathcliff!

[@robertlynn7746]

Doctor Frankenstein was a villain, as bad as they come.

[@bdwon]

Richard III is a great hero! Billy's propaganda cannot persuade reasonable people otherwise!

[@yvettem.holland5072]

Exactly why does Iago hate Othello?