Let’s talk about the villain... who steals the spotlight.
We’re used to stories where the protagonist is brave, noble, or at the very least—likable. But what happens when the story revolves around a character who lies, cheats, destroys, and delights in doing so? Is he still the protagonist?
Spoiler: Yes.
But how does that work?
Let’s untangle the wonderfully wicked world of anti-heroes—those morally compromised protagonists who keep us turning the page, often against our better judgment.
🔥 The Great Anti-Hero: When Bad Is the New Main Character
In fiction—as in the universe—light doesn't exist without darkness. Enter the anti-hero: a character who is the story’s center but isn’t what we traditionally consider “heroic.” These are not the paragons of virtue who save kittens and uphold justice. No, these are the morally gray, the conflicted, the selfish—and yes, sometimes downright evil.
Even children quickly learn what a villain is: the bad guy who causes suffering and opposes the hero. But an anti-hero is more complex. He may be the one causing the pain, yet he’s also the one we're rooting for... sort of.
The anti-hero is fascinating precisely because he defies expectations.
😈 Don Juan: The Original Love-to-Hate-Him Lead
One of literature’s most infamous anti-heroes is Don Juan—the charming, manipulative womanizer who’s inspired countless retellings, including by Lord Byron, José Zorrilla, and José de Espronceda.
Don Juan isn’t just a bad boy—he’s a professional heartbreaker. He seduces women, ruins them, then shrugs it off with a smirk and a witty one-liner. His crimes are emotional and spiritual, and he doesn’t care. His callousness, his shamelessness, his thrill for conquest—it’s the stuff of epic poetry, and uncomfortable sighs from readers who want to slap him and maybe kiss him at the same time.
He’s despicable—but compelling.
This is key to writing a strong anti-hero protagonist: they must provoke a reaction, even if it starts as loathing.
🩸 Empathy Doesn’t Begin With the Anti-Hero
In Espronceda’s "The Student of Salamanca," we meet Félix de Montemar, a Don Juan archetype who seduces a woman named Elvira just to prove he can. When he wins her over, he drops her without a second thought. Elvira dies of heartbreak.
So, who do we empathize with in the beginning? Elvira, of course. She is vulnerable, sincere, and emotionally destroyed. Montemar, meanwhile, gambles away her portrait, laughs at her fate, and shrugs off responsibility. He is not sympathetic—yet he is the protagonist.
This is the magic of the anti-hero story: we don’t have to like the main character to follow him. In fact, his outrageous behavior is part of what draws us in. (Let’s face it—there’s only so much sword-fighting and brooding a typical hero can do before we start craving someone a little more... chaotic.)
🧲 Why Anti-Heroes Hold Our Attention
To keep readers hooked, the anti-hero needs one crucial thing: evolution.
In Zorrilla’s “Don Juan Tenorio,” the once unrepentant seducer eventually comes face to face with his past. After duels, death, and the ruin of countless lives—including the virtuous Doña Inés—Don Juan is forced to confront what he’s done. He stands weeping at her grave. For the first time, he feels remorse. Maybe even love.
Does he deserve redemption?
That’s for the reader to decide. And that’s the point. A great anti-hero makes us ask uncomfortable questions. About morality. About justice. About forgiveness. About whether someone who’s done terrible things can still be worth caring about.
This emotional complexity is what transforms an anti-hero into a compelling protagonist. His arc is not about how good he is—it’s about how deeply human he is, even in his monstrosity.
⚖️ So… Can the Bad Guy Be the Protagonist?
Absolutely. He can be awful. Unforgivable. Irresistible. Tragic. Sexy. Pathetic. Powerful. He just has to be interesting.
In the end, being the protagonist isn’t about being good—it’s about owning the story.
Whether he redeems himself or sinks deeper into villainy, the anti-hero keeps us reading, questioning, and craving more. He is the center of gravity around which every other character orbits—love him, hate him, fear him.
Just don’t expect him to apologize for it.
✍️ Writing Tip:
If you're crafting an anti-hero protagonist, make sure they:
- Have a compelling backstory or driving motivation (even if it’s twisted)
- Create consequences for their actions (emotional, societal, spiritual)
- Evolve in some way—or choose not to, but make that meaningful
- Stay believable: we need to understand their why, even if we don’t agree