Is my villain believable?

Question

I am writing a novel...I'm still on the first draft so nothing is set in stone and now would probably be the best time to change things ^_^

He was born into a rich family, who made their wealth in actually very honest ways. All this wealth meant that this guy always had whatever he wanted. He never had to work for anything he never earned anything... this made his outlook on life somewhat screwed. He was so used to being 'better' than other people around him that he began to think of these 'lesser people' as disposable pawns to use to get what he wanted.
When he got older he inherited the families company, gaining him even more power and pushing him further away from 'reality' and decency. 
Since he has everything he wants, and can get anything he will want he quickly grows bored. To rid himself of this boredom he starts doing darker, and more evil things. A lot of people end up dying simply so he is entertained for a short period of time...and eventually his pursuit of more power, more entertainment, brings about the almost total destruction of the country.
He starts a war essentially and to him THIS IS OK. It's ok because HE has the power HE is the one in charge, if the people don't like it then they would simply stop him, right? Or at least that's how he see's it...

In short, he's a screwed up guy who craves more and more power and destruction to keep him satisfied.

? · Answer

Somewhat believable, yes. You should maybe hesitate when making him a pure, unabashedly evil dude, though. The best villains are partly sympathetic, even as you despise them. If you want a good character reference, watch 'Foxcatcher', a film now available on Netflix about John Dupont of the Dupont dynasty, a true story. His character and your character have a great deal in common, and studying how he was written could be very helpful for you in attributing your character the necessary foibles/insecurities to make him more than just 'the bad guy'.

Kiro S · Answer

From what I read here is the guy's profile:

Rich
Narcissistic
Bored
Later does evil things for rid of boredom

Not really a profile for someone to be able to start a war and get away unharmed.

You also stated that he gets bored easily. That is not usually the type who is the careful planner or person who makes intricate projects.

Also from the look of things he is not an Einstein, Lex Luthor, Brainiac, Dr. Doom type of guy. meaning that his boredom is not going to be filled with how to start something big and get away with it and watch the world burn as he sips a martini on his balcony. But rather.. more of the desire to just kill and see how to kill people in many ways. In short more like a Dexter or a typical serial killer who tried to find art in hurting others but probably an individual or a small group. Not much bigger than that.

Caleb · Answer

Like anonymous said, it doesn't seem like he has motivation. HOWEVER, that is what interests me in this character you have described.  He seems almost like a psychopath.  I feel like this character just doing horrible things because he is simply bored would make for a great read. Also a villain who does horrible things WITHOUT a real motive to me makes it just that more eerie.   Like if a killer has no reason to kill or a specific target, then no one is safe.

jonathan_kelly2001 · Answer

As a villain goes this person is a good fit. There are lots of bored rich kids that have no real grasp of reality.
If this is a draft I would suggest you look at this line
 " this made his outlook on life somewhat screwed"
The word "skewed" is what you are looking for

Anonymous · Answer

This sounds like a story about George W. Bush!

David · Answer

Not if it's a first draft, no. I don't even know my characters well enough until I'm finishing up the 2nd draft.

Anonymous · Answer

Art is all about personal creation, unique to each artist. To really be a writer one must be as original as one can. Set it in stone with your own personal invention.

Anonymous · Answer

Doesn't seem like he would have had any ambition. What's his motivation for doing anything?

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Is my villain believable?

8 Answers