Friday 11 November 2011

Top 5: Characters I Love To Hate

For TGIF this week, Ginger at GReads asks: "Love-hate relationships: Which characters do you love to hate?"
 


1. Voldemort from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling: Voldemort is one sexy villain. Not literally, of course. He's pretty scary-ugly, in that case. But he's got charm, charisma, intelligence and power that are totally attractive. Shame he's crazy.




2. Soames Forsyte from The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy: Soames is such an interesting character. Brought up to believe in the value of possessions in an era when women were seen as exactly that, he just doesn't understand how to treat his forward-thinking, freedom-seeking wife. He loves her dearly, but he can't express that love in healthy ways, driving him to some pretty horrible acts. Still, you can't help but feel for him.





3. Uriah Heep from David Copperfield by Charles Dickens: Ugh, Uriah Heep makes my skin crawl. He is so disgusting and devious, with his "'umbleness". But he's so wonderfully constructed, I really love his character, even though I really, really hate him.





4. Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte: Pretty much every single character in this book is horrible, but Heathcliff is the worst. He's the "hero" of the novel and yet he's quite evil, using and abusing those around him to suit his own sick schemes. The love that exists between him and Cathy is so twisted, it hurts everyone that comes into contact with them. He's by no means heroic, but he sure is compelling.





5. Captain Hook from Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie: He may be a murdering, thieving pirate, but hey, he's a gentlemen about it. He's a stickler for "form" and enjoys the finer things in life. And really, who could blame the guy for having it in for Peter Pan, the boy who leaves a trail of fairy dust and mischief wherever he flies... not to mention the little incident with Hook's hand. 



Which characters do you love to hate?

13 comments:

  1. Great picks! I definitely agree with you on all of these. Especially with Voldemort.

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  2. Amen on Heathcliff! I love Wuthering Heights but he is definitely easy to hate.

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  3. I love the pics you chose to illustrate your point - that Voldemort one is so creepy. And I love Heathcliff - though I agree, he is dark & disturbed!

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  4. I think I have to concur when it comes to Heathcliff, Voldemort and Hook (especially Hook)! There's something so utterly alluring about a bad guy, especially when they are smart, charismatic and charming.

    I think I'll have to add Tom Ripley from The Talented Mr. Ripley due to his cleverness, wit and charm. And probably also Dracula, cause he's just sexy like that.

    www.cositabella.com

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  5. Oh and I almost forgot to add Iago from Othello! I looooooove Iago's manipulative nature. So great but so bad!

    I could keep adding more cause I guess I'm just a girl who likes her bad boys, but I'll refrain.

    www.cositabella.com

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  6. I have more of a love relationship for Heathcliff than a hate one. I admit he is creepy and something completely crazy but his ultimate love for Kathy just dazzles me. I mean any man who can say and mean "If he loved you with all the power of his soul for a whole lifetime, he couldn’t love you as much as I do in a single day" and "Be with me always. Take any form, drive me mad, only do not leave me in this dark alone where I cannot find you. I cannot live without my life! I cannot die without my soul" has my heart completely.

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  7. Great picks! I love that you put Captain Hook on your list. :)

    Happy TGIF!

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  8. Great picks! Cathy and Heathcliff's love is so dark and twisted, but I can't help but love him. I don't know what it is - the tortured soul thing he's got going on?

    And I love love love that you chose Captain Hook! I don't think I ever hated him though - I usually felt bad that nothing ever seems to go his way.

    My TGIF

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  9. So glad to see I'm not the only one who has a soft spot for Soames. I've only seen the movie so I can't say I'd feel the same if I read the book, but I HATED Irene and had such a soft spot for Soames. I can't even think about it without getting mad!

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  10. Do you purposely look for the creepiest pictures to show us? YIKES!

    I'll have to revisit Heathcliff in WH someday. I honestly don't remember much about him, but then again, High School was many many years ago for me LOL

    Happy Weekend, B!

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  11. Great choice! Captain Hook is a great baddie. :D

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  12. Oh you should read "Hook and Jill" I loved that book. Hook is a more sympathetic character and Peter is the villan you love to hate! :D

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