Villain [vil–uhn]
(in a film, novel, or play) a character whose evil actions or motives are important to the plot. 

Villains come in all forms and fantastical realms, from defying the laws of science to the everyday evil we are presented with in the real world. The best villains tend to be the ones struggling with humanity and kindness. Their originally, somewhat plausible, motivations get traded out for anarchy and power. Their fight primarily revolves around the battle for justice in which there is a grey area for the morals that are cast aside. These enfants terribles are the ones to find character development and lessons greater than that of the heroes. 

If I could shed my skin and reinvent myself, I would be the villain. Of course, wreaking havoc and hurting others is never something anyone should want to do. My motivation would be more about the fascination of antagonists that their counterparts don’t provide. The average hero’s story consists of a more basic narrative which involves a journey, a struggle, and then ultimately results in their triumph. On the other hand, villains and I share the potential to be wild cards, changing the hands of fate and destiny. 

Villains have the ability to lose popularity, wealth, power…everything, and will end up doing so. They gain an understanding of humility from their downfall, which can only be achieved through true loss. These very developments create personal revelations, enlightening both the character and the observers of their story. This enlightenment is one I not only observe but appreciate, making this another pro for becoming an adversary. 

The anti-heroes are usually composed of jealousy and hurt, being universally understood to have more flaws and thus more character and personality compared to the nice, perfectly moral main character. So, while the talk of humility and all is great, there are also components of being the  archnemesis that appeal to everyone. They create the most glorious musical numbers, have the most elaborate regalia, make a grand entrance, and bring a sense of action that only occurs through the power of an opposing force.  So, all in all, at least I’ll know that in my treacherous defeat as a villain, it will be spectacular. 

If I could shed my skin and reinvent myself, I would be the…

Heroine [her-oh-in] 
a woman who, in the opinion of others, has special achievements, abilities, or personal qualities and is regarded as a role model or ideal.

Did someone say, ‘show us your ego?’ I can’t help it. The gravitational pull of the star of the show is just too great. It reels me in, keeping me spinning in its star-studded orbit. To be a heroine is my heroin.

From the get-go, scratching around the streets of Dublin, all attitude and anti-femme, I craved the focus of attention. No boogieman besieged nightmares or missing teeth in my nightly dreams. Oh no. I was otherwise occupied, flying neighbors to safety from an imaginary, exploding volcano or swinging into a burning building, Tarzan-style, sans loincloth, to liberate the terrified occupants. Were there no limits to my abilities, no end to my fantasies?

At the altar of fiction, I worshipped, sadly mostly male, superheroes. Not Wonder Woman but Super- and Spiderman. I loved Princess Leia but wanted to be Han Solo. I picked the Three Investigator, when I could have been Nancy Drew!

But there were, in fact, limits. Even in my dreams. A stuttering loss of the ability to fly or a swing rope unraveled. Ultimately an epic superpower fail, bringing me crashing back down to earth.

In life, some bite of reality always intervenes. A bout of imposter syndrome or a glance at a real life heroine. Something to check back that sense of self. A relative ying to my over-inflated yang.

With my mellowing years, I’ve learned to understand and appreciate the joy of elevating others into the spotlight. Seeing someone flourish, evolve and succeed brings an equal and more long-lasting rush. A new addiction perhaps.

But whether in reality or imagination, every protagonist needs their archfoe. 

While Yasmin seeks to be the villain, she has quickly become my real world heroine. 

Together with words, we can take on the world.