Split-screen Character Development: Villain vs. Hero

Are you like most writers, focusing on the hero’s character development while shortchanging the villain’s profile? Do this instead!

A study of bestselling authors highlights that, for many, creating the profile of the antagonist comes before the protagonist. If that seems counter to your way of thinking, you’re not alone. To balance out this discussion, think about the standout qualities of both characters.

Many times, it’s the similarities of the fictional hero and villain, not their differences, that make them so interesting.

Character Development of Villain or Hero First?

I suggest you begin with the character you deem most important to your story.

You’ve likely got an image in mind. Maybe the beginning of a character sheet. Many start by recording their thoughts on the protagonist, and then do the same for that fictional person’s antagonist.

However, in this excerpt from Steven Pressfield’s 2017 post, Start with the Villain, he makes the strong case to start with the antagonist.

Pressfield offers several reasons to start with the villain, but if you prefer to begin with the hero, that’s okay, you’ll need both profiles for a split-screen comparison.

Questions Speed Up Character Development

Consider creating an ‘initial profile’ for your primary protagonist and antagonist based on these questions:

The above questions start the process, but expand each profile with the Enneagram Types recommended in the Trellis Method’s Story Characters Development Workbook using the prompt-based worksheet for typing in your answers.

Split-Screen Comparison of Villain and Hero

The side-by-side comparison of the character development profiles of the hero and villain elevates your hero and villain to levels of realism, making them sure to leap from the pages of your book.

• Your choice whether to compare with paper copies or on a wide monitor.
• The most interesting part of this exercise is to see the similarities and differences between the protagonist and antagonist.
• The basic evaluation offers opportunities to embellish both the hero and villain, identifying the points of conflicts in the story and engaging the audiences’ emotions and even their empathy.
  • Show the opposites to heighten the contrasts.
  • Convey the similarities of the hero to villain, encouraging the audience to feel a sense of “there but for the grace of God go I.”

Keep in mind antagonists believe they’re the hero in their own story.

• Characters’ thoughts, choices, speech, and actions influence their point of view, reinforcing each person’s belief that they are the hero in their own story.
• If you understand the character’s mental framework, you’ll discover abundant opportunities to:
  • Enhance the fictional person’s body language in various settings.
  • Show emotional reactions to events.
  • Vary the voice tone when relaxed or stressed.

Conclusion: Split-screen Character Development

If you use the recommended prompt-based worksheet, you’ll find the comparison of villain and hero straightforward and fun.

The next time you watch The Hunger Games, check out the similarities between the villain President Coriolanus Snow and the hero Katniss Everdeen. For example, there were scenes where Everdeen’s behavior trended toward ruthlessness, sometimes clouding the differences between her and Snow.

Also, you’ll likely find the split-screen comparison of the hero and villain encourages you to use this technique with other characters (e.g., two lovers) — it works!

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