A villain must be a thing of power, handled with delicacy and grace. He must be wicked enough to excite our aversion, strong enough to arouse our fear, human enough to awaken some transient gleam of sympathy. We must triumph in his downfall, yet not barbarously nor with contempt, and the close of his career must be in harmony with all its previous development.

Summary

This quote explains the intricate portrayal of a villain in literature or any storytelling medium. It suggests that a villain should possess enough power to grab our attention, but must also exhibit a certain finesse and elegance in their actions. They should be wicked enough to generate dislike and fear, yet exhibit human qualities that make us momentarily empathize with them. The downfall of the villain should bring us a sense of triumph, but it should align seamlessly with the progression of their character. In essence, the quote emphasizes the need for a well-crafted and multi-dimensional portrayal of a villain that engages and resonates with the audience.

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