Villains and other "dark" characters

[trobadora]

It's a pretty common phenomenon, that we like someone in fiction whom we'd despise, condemn and/or fear in real life. The BSR reread has just sparked a discussion about that, and devohoneybee asks a very good question:

So what is it about what we love in fictional characters that overrides our "real" ethics?

(The comment thread in question starts here, with a comparison of Damien/Gerald and Duncan/Methos.)

There's some great stuff there already - go and take a look. And then join in, or come on over to my LJ and tell me what you think - especially if you like such characters too. I do think there's more than one answer, and I want to hear them all!

( comment here at my LJ )