Well, first of all, a great villain in fiction is often defined by their charisma. Take the Joker from Batman. He has this magnetic, if extremely disturbing, charm that draws people in. Their goals are also key. If they have grand, if evil, goals like Sauron's quest for domination in Middle - earth, it makes them more prominent. The way they interact with other characters is another aspect. A villain who can manipulate others like Moriarty can gain fame. And their cultural impact. Some villains have become so well - known that they are part of popular culture, like Cruella de Vil, and are recognized even by those who haven't fully read or watched their original stories.
One factor is their power. A villain who is extremely powerful, such as Lord Voldemort with his dark magic, is more likely to be famous. Their relationship with the hero is crucial too. The antagonistic relationship between Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty makes Moriarty well - known. Additionally, a villain's backstory can contribute. If it's tragic or complex, like Maleficent's, it can make them stand out. People are interested in understanding why a villain became who they are. Also, their influence on the story world is important. If they change the course of events significantly, like Sauron in The Lord of the Rings, they'll be remembered.
Well, for me, a great villain in fiction has to be really menacing. Like Darth Vader in 'Star Wars'. His deep voice, his black suit, and his powerful Force abilities make him look super scary. And he has a clear goal of ruling the galaxy.
A great villain in fiction often has a complex backstory. For example, Magneto from the X - Men series. He was a Holocaust survivor, which shaped his views on mutants and humans. His experiences led him to believe that mutants should be the dominant species, which is a more nuanced view compared to just pure evil. This backstory makes him a more three - dimensional and interesting villain.
Appearance can also play a role in making a villain the best in fiction. Look at Hannibal Lecter in 'The Silence of the Lambs'. His calm and refined appearance, while being a serial killer, is a contrast that makes him all the more disturbing. And then there's the element of mystery. A villain like Keyser Söze in 'The Usual Suspects'. We don't really know who he is until the end, and that mystery keeps us on the edge of our seats and makes him a very effective villain.
If a villain enjoys inflicting pain and suffering on others without any remorse, they can be seen as extremely evil. Hannibal Lecter from 'The Silence of the Lambs' not only kills people but also eats them. He takes pleasure in the horror he causes, which is what makes him so terrifyingly evil.
A villain in fiction is truly evil when they have no regard for the lives or well - being of others. For example, Sauron in The Lord of the Rings wants to enslave all of Middle - earth just for his own power. He doesn't care about the destruction and death he causes. Another aspect is when they take pleasure in causing pain, like the Joker in Batman. He enjoys chaos and making people suffer.
Well, for me, a great villain in fiction has to be really intimidating. Like, they should make the hero or the characters around them scared just by being there. For example, Hannibal Lecter in 'The Silence of the Lambs'. His intelligence and his creepy, cannibalistic nature are what make him a great villain.
Famous fictions often have memorable characters. Take 'Harry Potter' for instance. Harry, Hermione, and Ron are well - loved characters all over the world. A powerful fiction also has a deeper meaning. It can be a social commentary like in 'Animal Farm' which critiques totalitarianism through the story of the farm animals.
Well, often their unique skills make them famous. For example, a thief like Catwoman in the Batman universe is known for her agility and stealth. She can break into highly secured places and escape without a trace, which is quite impressive.
Unique skills. For example, if a swordsman can perform extraordinary sword techniques like deflecting arrows with a sword or fighting multiple opponents at once. It could be their signature move that no one else can do.
They also have clear motives, like Magneto in the 'X - Men' series. Magneto's experiences with persecution as a mutant drive him to fight for mutant rights in a more extreme way. His actions, while villainous at times, are understandable given his perspective. He is not just a one - dimensional 'bad guy' but a complex character with his own set of beliefs and values.