Every Villain is a Hero

Every coin has two sides. Similarly every story has two sides. The one side, which seems to be very pleasing and has the essence of carrying a story forward, the protagonist side. But along with it there is another side, Antagonist Side which has equal importance in story. 

Apart from the view of storytelling, in life we all have considered someone as antagonist in story of our life. But it has been essential to look at their side too. The age-old saying, "Every villain is a hero in their own story," holds profound truth. Each characters has their own grey scale. It is also possible that in antagonist's view, maybe protagonist consists all characteristics of a villain. In universe, anything is possible to its level of extent, but the major concern is how one can decide that either he is hero or villain? How its characteristics and norms are considered of being a hero or villain. Between both of them what is a common way which serves its purpose. 

The emergence of the antihero has blurred the lines between heroism and villainy. All in the specifications of characters, what really matters is their backstory. The ultimate journey of character. Backstory matters a lot as it leads to the whole character arc which is crucial element in any story. But generally, we all consider backstory of heroes, not for villain. For villainy, usually their present and future is all what really matters, and on basis of that we create certain perception and attitude towards it. Most renowned example if shown is Kai-Kayi, a character from the great Indian epic "Ramayana".

Kai-kayi is a queen in the Ramayana, an ancient Indian epic attributed to the sage Valmiki. She was one of King Dasharatha's wives and the mother of Bharata. Her character plays a pivotal role in the narrative.The main turn of events involving Kaikayi occurs when King Dasharatha, owing to a promise he made to her long ago, is compelled to send Rama, his eldest son and the heir apparent, into exile for fourteen years. Kaikeyi is manipulated by her maid Manthara, who influences her to demand these boons from the king.

Despite being perceived as a negative character due to her role in Rama's exile, Kaikeyi is complex. Everyone hated her as she became the reason of Lord Ram's exile but they forgot that she was way beyond that. Formerly the princess of Kekaya, she is described to have served as an able counsellor to her husband during times of war. In a battle between the Devas and the Asuras, Dasharatha rode to Devloka, accompanied by Kaikeyi, to help Indra fight against the asuras. The devas were at a disadvantage due to the sorcery employed by Shambara and his army of asuras. Dasharatha, riding a chariot, faced the asuras in ten directions at the same time. In this battle, his chariot had to be turned to every direction in a swift manner. During the battle, the bolt of one of the wheels slipped out, and the wheel was about to disengage when Kaikeyi inserted her thumb in the hole of the bolt, and kept the chariot steady. When the king learnt of this presence of mind on Kaikeyi's part, he was pleased, and offered her two boons. In this way she led a good example of warrior and loyal accompany. Despite of this, she has been a loving and caring mother, not only for her biological child Bharata but also for all her step-son including Lord Ram. Kaikeyi was delighted and as happy as she would have been had it been her own son during the coronation. But today people had forgotten her loving motherhood and courage of battlefield. Today people only remember her a villain. But it is necessary to consider the other side of story. 

Heroism and Villainy, all depends on morality and intentions of their deeds. There has been a very thin line between perception and prejudice. One must have awareness of it before considering the character as hero or villain, not only in fictional stories but in real life too. "Villains are not born, but they are made". After all, in the grand story of life, the roles of hero and villain are often intertwined, leaving us with the realization that, in the end, we are all complex protagonists in our own unique narratives. 

For next writing, its a bit early to reveal, till then, Keep reading, until the page gets turned for next chapter.

 

By

KellyModi@TheWriter