Antihero Persona

Extracted Attributes

• Definition

  A narrative protagonist who lacks the qualities of a conventional hero, such as strong morals, courage, or selflessness.

• Motivation

  Typically driven by self-interest and personal motives, rather than the good of others or a specific calling.

• Characteristics

  Complex, reflects human complexity, often ambivalent, may commit morally questionable deeds, riddled with vices, can be a danger to self and others, yet capable of compassion and sacrifice.

• Role in Narrative

  Focal point of conflict, drives the narrative, pursues a goal, faces obstacles, and changes as a result of their journey.

• Wrestling Era of Rise

  Attitude Era

• Cultural Prominence (1960s)

  Emphasized during the height of 1960s counterculture.

Timeline

• The term 'antihero' first came into use. (Source: web_search_results)

  1714

• The antihero persona became prominent in existentialist works, such as Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis (1915), Jean-Paul Sartre's Nausea (1938), and Albert Camus's The Stranger (1942). (Source: web_search_results)

  Early 20th Century

• The antihero persona was emphasized during the height of 1960s counterculture, famously embodied by actor Steve McQueen. (Source: summary, wikipedia)

  1960s

• The rise of the Antihero Persona in professional wrestling occurred during the Attitude Era, exemplified by Stone Cold Steve Austin. (Source: summary, related_documents)

  Late 1990s - Early 2000s

Steve McQueen

Terrence Stephen McQueen (March 24, 1930 – November 7, 1980) was an American actor. His antihero persona, emphasized during the height of 1960s counterculture, made him a top box office draw for his films of the late 1950s to the mid-1970s. He was nicknamed the "King of Cool" and used the alias "Harvey Mushman" when participating in motor races. McQueen received an Academy Award nomination for his role in The Sand Pebbles (1966). His other popular films include The Cincinnati Kid (1965), Nevada Smith (1966), The Thomas Crown Affair (1968), Bullitt (1968), The Getaway (1972) and Papillon (1973), in addition to ensemble films such as The Magnificent Seven (1960), The Great Escape (1963), and The Towering Inferno (1974). He became the world's highest-paid movie star in 1974; however, afterwards he did not appear in a film for another four years. Although he was combative with directors and producers, his popularity placed him in high demand and enabled him to negotiate the largest salaries. Diagnosed with terminal cancer, McQueen flew to Mexico in October 1980 for surgery to remove or reduce tumors in his neck and abdomen, against the advice of U.S. doctors who warned him that his cancer was inoperable and that his heart could not withstand the surgery. A few weeks later he checked in to a hospital in Ciudad Juárez under a fake name and underwent surgery by hospital staff who were unaware of his true identity. A few hours after surgery, he died of a heart attack at the age of 50.

Web Search Results

• Antihero - Wikipedia

  Antihero (sometimes spelled as anti-hero or two words anti hero) is a literary term that can be understood as standing in opposition to the traditional hero, i.e., one with high social status, well-liked by the general populace, and given a particular role to play. Although antiheroes may sometimes perform actions that most of the audience considers heroic, they continue because they must, not because they believe they are the right person for the job. [...] Typically, an antihero is the focal point of conflict in a story, whether as the protagonist or as the antagonistic force. This is due to the antihero's engagement in the conflict, typically of their own will, rather than a specific calling to serve the greater good. As such, the antihero focuses on their personal motives first and foremost, with everything else secondary. ## History [edit] [...] The antihero became prominent in early 20th-century existentialist works such as Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis (1915), Jean-Paul Sartre's Nausea "Nausea (novel)") (1938), and Albert Camus's The Stranger "The Stranger (Camus novel)") (1942). The protagonist in these works is an indecisive central character who drifts through his life and is marked by boredom, angst, and alienation.

• What is an Anti-hero? Simple Guide, Complicated Character

  ### Reflect Human Complexity An anti-hero is an inherently complex character. They capture the full, messy reality of trying to get through life as a terrified and deeply flawed human being. Not to mention, because anti-hero characters reflect a relatable instinct for self-preservation at all costs, it’s all the more impactful when they also demonstrate a capacity for compassion and sacrifice. [...] Like a traditional hero, an anti-hero drives the narrative as they pursue a goal and face obstacles that challenge them to confront their own weaknesses. They usually change as a result of their journey and they might save the day or succumb to a tragic fate. What makes anti-heroes unique, however, is the total absence of a heroic spirit. [...] These characters commit morally questionable deeds and are typically motivated by self-interest rather than the good of others. While a traditional hero has a few understandable flaws and occasionally slips up as they grow into a better person, an anti-hero is riddled with vices and doggedly clings to their own self-serving perspective. ### Anti-Heroic Qualities An anti-hero may exhibit some or all of these traits:

• What is an Anti Hero — Definition, Examples in Film & Literature

  An anti hero is a narrative protagonist who lacks the qualities of a conventional hero. They may lack the strong morals, courage, or selflessness that we associate with heroes. Anti heroes often feel rejected by society, and veer down a self-destructive path that results in isolation or death. Over the years, anti hero characters have become one of the most popular types of story protagonists — in television (Don Draper, Tony Soprano) and in film (Michael Corleone, Daniel Plainview).

• Defining and Developing Your Anti-Hero - Writer's Digest

  A hero can be complex, but he is generally unambivalent; an anti-hero is a complicated character who reflects the ambivalence of many real people. An anti-hero’s actions and ways of thinking demand that the reader think about issues and ask difficult questions. [...] It takes a fine hand to draw an anti-hero because this character requires a great deal of nuance to arouse complicated reactions in the reader. As we’ve just discussed, an anti-hero is a character that the reader roots for, despite his flaws and the bad things he’s done or how he justifies these misdeeds. Sometimes the anti-hero is able to toe the line between good and evil, but often he’s a danger to himself and others. Sometimes an anti-hero also has remarkable ability to compartmentalize. [...] In days of old, especially in the eighteenth century, protagonists were often heroes and antagonists were usually villains, and they were often depicted in stories as either good or evil, clearly delineated as black and white. My hope is that this chapter, and the book as a whole, will prove that, as in real life, characters come in many shades and types. An anti-hero is a protagonist who typically lacks the traditional traits and qualities of a hero, such as trustworthiness, courage, and

• Rooting for the Bad Guy: The Definition of an Antihero | The Novelry

  An antihero is a character who, though they might occasionally do the right thing, often does so for the wrong reasons. They usually seek to protect themselves first rather than act in the interests of others. The term first came into use in 1714, though the idea of a character who is cowardly or morally gray is far older. ## Examples of antiheroes