What is an Anti-Hero Definition †Plus 10 Examples!

What is an Antis! What is an Antis! There’s something comforting about a protagonist who always does the right thing for the right reasons, like Superman. But there’s something compelling about a morally ambivalent protagonist who sometimes does the right thing, and only sometimes for the right reasons - like Tyrion Lannister.While Superman is a traditional take on a heroic protagonist, Tyrion is a decidedly skewed version. In other words, he’s an anti-hero.Let’s dig a little deeper into exactly what an anti-hero is, and why they’ve become so prevalent in stories. Learn all about the morally grey protagonists that readers love: the anti-hero Anti-Hero DefinitionAn anti-hero is a protagonist who lacks some of the conventional attributes of a traditional hero - like courage or morality. While their actions are ultimately noble, they don’t always act for the right reasons.For instance, they might save someone from a dangerous situation because it furthers their interests, not because they actually care about helping others.How is an anti-hero different from an anti-villain?While the two types of characters can be easily confused, the difference boils down to this:The anti-hero (or AH) does the right thing, but maybe not for the right reasons - and they lack a lot of the characteristics we’ve come to expect of tradition heroes.The anti-villain (or AV) does the wrong thing, but their motives are often noble - or, at least, sympathetic. Anti-villains typically have some characteristics we don’t commonly associate withâ€Å"bad guys.†At the end of the day, if you’re not quite sure whether a character is an anti-hero or an anti-villain, ask yourself this: who does the story ask readers to root for? If that character is morally grey, they’re likely the anti-hero. The morally grey character who opposes them is probably the anti-villain.Check out our post full of anti-villain examples to learn more.How is an anti-hero different from a villain-protagonist?Few books have been successfully written from the perspective of a completely irredeemable, morally reprehensible character. Readers want to be able to root for the protagonist at least a little bit. Exceptions include Humbert Humbert from Lolita, Patrick Bateman from American Psycho, and Tom Ripley from The Talented Mr. Ripley. By the end of these books, you’re likely waiting on tenterhooks for the protagonist to be brought to justice.These characters are classified as â€Å"Villain Protagonists.† They’re different from anti-heroes because the author purposefully avoids giving readers a reason to cheer for them. An anti-hero is a morally grey character we’re still encouraged to root for. But a villain protagonist is a â€Å"bad guy†- who happens to be the main character in the story.5 Types of Anti-HeroesNot all anti-heroes are created equally. In fact, TV Tropes classifies a â€Å"sliding scale† of these morally ambiguous protagonists. Unsurprisingly, the first type is†¦1. The Classic Anti-HeroTypical qualities of a fictional hero include confidence, bravery, stoicism, intelligence, handsome looks, and superb fighting capabilities. The Classic Anti-Hero is the inverse of these things: self-doubting, fearful, anxious, and lacking in combat skills. In general, the character arc of this AH follows them overcoming their â€Å"weaknesses† in order to vanquish the enemy.This type of AH is not necessarily on the grey scale of morality, they simply defy readers’ preconceived notions of heroism. id=attachment_18919 style="width: 1290px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">Olivia Pope from Scandal, V from V for Vendetta, Deadpool, Dexter, Nancy Botwin from Weeds, Arthur Dent from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Selina Meyer from Veep - once you know what an anti-hero is, there is no shortage of opportunities to spot them.If you’re looking to write your own controvertible protagonist, check out the following in-depth blog posts aimed at helping authors develop compelling characters.Character Development: How to Write Characters Your Readers Won't Forget 9 Common Types of Fantasy Characters (With Examples) How to Write a Compelling Character Arc 12 Character Archetypes Every Writer Should Know How to Create a Character Profile: the Ultimate Guide (with Template)Did we miss any anti-heroes who deserve a mention? Drop their name - or any other thoughts or questions - in the comments below!