Monthly Musing: How Do You Feel About Villains?

"I like villains because there's something so attractive about a committed person - they have a plan, an ideology, no matter how twisted. They're motivated."  -Russell Crowe


I find this quote interesting, since I think we're raised to dislike the villains and root for the princess or the hero or whoever happens to be the "good" person in a story.  I know many a writer who has struggled with creating their villains.  I am one of those writers.

I looked up the definition on dictionary.com and they seem just as confused about it as well.  One definition says a villain is "an evil character in a story", another says "a character who opposes the protagonist, whether intentionally or unintentionally".   In my WIP, my villain isn't out to destroy the world.  He isn't evil.  He's just a disillusioned guy who thinks he's trying to do good.  But since he's unintentionally opposing the protagonists, he's a villain. 

Who's your favorite villain?  For me, it has to be Snape from Harry Potter.  I guess Voldemort is the evil villain, but Snape is one too since there are times when he opposes Harry and his friends.  I think what I love so much about him is I never was sure if he was a bad guy or a good guy.  I saw glimpses of both in him.  And I think that's what makes him intriguing.  He wasn't all evil.  There were times he'd help Harry out.  And that's what makes him so unique.

So, your turn.  What do you think about villains?  And who's your favorite?