The Joker: a Character Analysis

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The Joker: A Character Analysis Introduction to Psychopathology In the movie The Dark Knight, there is a gritty and dark portrayal of a famous villain called The Joker. The name The Joker is synonymous with the Batman series and is also known as one of his arch enemies. While the movies are centered on the premise of good versus evil, there is a much deeper story behind the actors and the characters they play. The Joker, played by the talented Heath Ledger, is a complex character that cannot help but be admired. He takes the viewer on a journey where the character is a robber, a murderer, a prankster, a blackmailer, a charismatic menace to society, a traitor, and turns killing into a game, all while making him a fantastic character to watch. What different facets of this Joker made him so compelling to watch? Was it a result of his personality disorder and his fractured emotions that made him so intriguing? In this paper his diagnosis as having an antisocial personality will be examined and proven as the result of his entertaining character. In order to prove The Joker as having an antisocial personality disorder, the concept must be broken down and defined. The DSM-IV-TR defines personality traits that are “enduring patterns of perceiving, relating to, and thinking about the environment and oneself that are exhibited in a wide range of social and personal contexts”(Dozois,2013). There are certain characteristics of a person’s personality that make them susceptible to having a personality disorder. Firstly, their character traits must be rigid, inflexible, and maladaptive to society. Secondly, their personality is dominated by a single, defining trait. And thirdly, as a result of their character traits they are primarily causing distress to other people and not themselves. All of these characteristics are prominently featured and

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