The phrase signifies a literary work featuring a prominent figure embodying evil or malevolence. Such a character often exhibits traits like cunning, manipulation, or a thirst for power, potentially serving as the story’s antagonist or a morally ambiguous protagonist. Examples include Satan in Milton’s Paradise Lost or Voldemort in the Harry Potter series. The specific meaning depends heavily on the individual work and its thematic concerns.
Exploring this archetype offers valuable insights into cultural anxieties and the human understanding of good and evil. This recurring figure in literature, across various genres and historical periods, provides a lens through which to examine societal values and the complexities of human nature. Analyzing the portrayal of such characters can illuminate the evolution of moral philosophy and the enduring fascination with the darker aspects of existence. Such narratives frequently grapple with themes of temptation, free will, and the consequences of moral choices.
