Anti-Heroes Are What We Want
The Anti-hero is What We Want
The anti-hero is becoming more popular on television. It is easier to access television series by using Netflix and streaming episodes back to back. Some of televisions big name characters are Dexter Morgan, Jax Teller and Tony Soprano who are all anti-heroes. An anti-hero is a dramatic protagonist who can be downright evil and is more flawed than other characters. They magnify the frailties of humanity and they may be a badass or a screw up. According to Stephen Garrett’s article, Why We Love TV’s Antihero, “It appears that no one on TV can be truly good or evil anymore, we’re suffering from what is called an antihero overload. It’s starting to seem like the bad guys are the only good guys” (Garrett, pg.320). Garrett also says the classic heroes of old like Superman no longer fit society’s purpose and never will so again. In our day and time we have crooked politicians, unfair business leaders and unjust laws. So when we watch a TV series with a crooked character, we are more likely to relate to them. Television’s anti-heroes are influencing audiences both emotionally and psychologically.
The flawed characters on television are the ones that we love the most. Some of televisions best shows take us deep into the scariest areas of the human psyche. For example, Breaking Bad, Sons of Anarchy, Dexter and The Sopranos. Opposite of the flawed character is the traditional hero who is upright and steadfast with a morally good soul. Superman was great decades ago when he portrayed his justice in a positive manner. He had a strict set of morals and never went for a killing blow. Instead, he tries to find an alternative to end a fight. But this type of character is viewed as less realistic in today’s society. One might look at hero movies as boring. Viewers love to watch shows that contain killings like Dexter because that’s what happens on our streets and in society. According to Johnathon Michael(2013), author of the
The anti-hero is becoming more popular on television. It is easier to access television series by using Netflix and streaming episodes back to back. Some of televisions big name characters are Dexter Morgan, Jax Teller and Tony Soprano who are all anti-heroes. An anti-hero is a dramatic protagonist who can be downright evil and is more flawed than other characters. They magnify the frailties of humanity and they may be a badass or a screw up. According to Stephen Garrett’s article, Why We Love TV’s Antihero, “It appears that no one on TV can be truly good or evil anymore, we’re suffering from what is called an antihero overload. It’s starting to seem like the bad guys are the only good guys” (Garrett, pg.320). Garrett also says the classic heroes of old like Superman no longer fit society’s purpose and never will so again. In our day and time we have crooked politicians, unfair business leaders and unjust laws. So when we watch a TV series with a crooked character, we are more likely to relate to them. Television’s anti-heroes are influencing audiences both emotionally and psychologically.
The flawed characters on television are the ones that we love the most. Some of televisions best shows take us deep into the scariest areas of the human psyche. For example, Breaking Bad, Sons of Anarchy, Dexter and The Sopranos. Opposite of the flawed character is the traditional hero who is upright and steadfast with a morally good soul. Superman was great decades ago when he portrayed his justice in a positive manner. He had a strict set of morals and never went for a killing blow. Instead, he tries to find an alternative to end a fight. But this type of character is viewed as less realistic in today’s society. One might look at hero movies as boring. Viewers love to watch shows that contain killings like Dexter because that’s what happens on our streets and in society. According to Johnathon Michael(2013), author of the