By: Bria Davis

Photos from: Bria Davis

With TV shows, movies, and even books, most people typically don’t choose the protagonist over the antagonist. If anything, people usually end up hating the antagonist, especially if they have chosen to do some questionable things to get what they want. Yet, recently, people tend to be incredibly selective over who they deem is an acceptable villain. A perfect example of people being selective over who they deem an acceptable villain is how people view Damon Salvator, Klaus Mikaelson, Elijah Mikaelson, and Kai Parker; all popular male characters from The Vampire Diaries (TVD) and arguably all villains depending on the fan’s perspective.

On many occasions, plenty of TVD fans claim Damon Salvator as their favorite male character. Plenty has also claimed that he is not a bad guy despite having committed a lot of villainous actions. There is an argument that Damon fans think his behavior is okay simply because he is handsome. Some claim that if it weren’t for his face, he could be considered a bad guy solely because of his actions. Many have said the same thing about Elijah Mikaelson, who many deem a nobleman despite the questionable things he has done to get what he wants. Elijah is considered a good guy compared to his brother because he presents himself to others as a proper, trustworthy, and honest man.

Yet, when it comes to Klaus Mikaelson and Kai Parker, many TVD fans hate them with a passion, regardless of how handsome they are. Most only look at Klaus and Kai’s villainous behavior, which they don’t care nearly as much about when Damon and Elijah are the focus of this topic. One can argue that Kai and Klaus’ murderous and villainous behavior is justifiable, way more so than with Damon or Elijah. While Damon has had his fair share of unfortunate

events and Elijah has been betrayed enough and mistreated by people to excuse the bad behavior of both men, neither compared to Kai and Klaus.

Kai was outcasted by everyone and abused by his father his whole life because he was born a siphoner and not an average witch. After reaching his breaking point and killing his younger siblings, his coven locked him in an isolated prison world for nearly 20 years. It isn’t hard to see why Kai became a psychotic villain, mistreated his whole life, and then put in an unescapable prison world; plenty of people would go insane and want even more revenge.

When it comes to Klaus, he was abused, outcasted, and then hunted by his father, betrayed and lied to by the majority of his family, and purposely cursed by his mother, which suppressed his true nature for thousands of decades. The same mother forced him to become a vampire and tried to kill his daughter and him numerous times. Not to mention that other vampires have tried to kill him so they can take his position in the world as the most feared and unstoppable supernatural creature.

People often describe Klaus as paranoid, violent, and selfish, but considering the constant betrayal and mistreatment from the people closest to him, it’s not surprising he turned out that way. Similarly, people also characterize Kai as vengeful, selfish, and mentally unstable, but his family’s mistreatment towards him justifies his actions. Compared to Damon and Elijah, some might argue that Klaus and Kai deserve more understanding as villains. They’re both attractive, and people can explain why they behave like they do. On the other hand, Damon and Elijah are also handsome, but their actions are not as easily justifiable.

So, when TVD fans claim they like Damon or Elijah the most and dislike Klaus and Kai, one should question why. Are Damon and Elijah acceptable bad guys because they’re handsome, and that makes their behavior acceptable? Then why aren’t Klaus and Kai acceptable bad guys?