Villainy in Western Culture: Historical Archetypes of Danger, Disorder and Death

Synopsis

This Book Explores How Western Societies Have Used Villains To Sort Insiders From Outsiders And Establish Behavioral Norms To Support Harmony And Well-being. The Author Also Discusses Two Related Phenomena: The Dramatic Paring Down Of What Is Considered Villainous In The West, And The Proliferation Of Over-the-top Villains In Pop Culture And Mass Media-- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- Drawing Lines In The Sand: The Villain As Other -- Red In Tooth And Claw: The Villain As Nature -- Sybarites And Savages : The Villain As Barbarian -- Tyrants, Traitors And Tramps : The Villain As Agent Of Discord And Disorder -- One Who Rules Without Law : The Villain As Tyrant -- Et Tu, Brute? : The Villain As Traitor -- Her Arms Are Wicked And Her Legs Are Long : The Villain As Femme Fatale -- The Bad Seed : The Villain As Pathology -- Gangsters And Grifters : The Villain As Sociopath -- Rippers And Rapists : The Villain As Psychopathic Murderer -- Epilogue: Marplots And Madmen : The Villain As Metaphor. M. Gregory Kendrick. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.