Anti-hero

Like the protagonist of a story, only he or she does not possess the traditional qualities of the protagonist. May not have courage, physical strength, or the brains that it takes to be a real hero, "conspicuously lacking in heroic qualities." This "often reflect modern man’s ambivalence toward traditional moral and social virtues." In general, they "distrust the conventional values and are unable to commit themselves to anything" (Gale Glossary).

Examples

Skif, from Mercedes Lackey's Heralds of Valdemar books. (Take a Thief.)

Vanyel, from Mercedes Lackey's Heralds of Valdemar books. (The Last Herald Mage.)

Vincent Valentine, from Squaresoft/Square Enix's Final Fantasy VII.

Works Cited

"anti-hero. The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-05." Bartleby.com. <http://www.bartleby.com/65/an/antihero.html>. (16 February 2006).

"Antihero." Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. <http://www.m-w.com>. (16 February 2006).

"Gale - Free Resources - Glossary" Gale Glossary. <http://www.galegroup.com/free_resources/glossary/>. (16 February 2006).