Critical Essay on the Nerd

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Hanna Abu-Taqa 9/21/2013 Critical Essay Rough Draft– The Nerd Sometimes, you have to play the villain to win like a hero. In Larry Shue’s play “The Nerd”, Axel plays the wise fool. Being the best friend of central character Willum, Axel believes he knows what is in Willums’ best interest. Though most view what Axel did as wrong and deceptive, his intentions were for a good reason. Christoph Waltz once said “Well, you need the villain. If you don’t have a villain, the good guy just sits at home.” This is very true with Axel and Willum for Axels devious actions create the whole plot in the play. When viewing any type of story whether it be a play, short story, novel or even a movie, too often is the hero and only the hero taken into perspective. A hero is classified as “a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities” (dictionary.com). Why just give all the credit and sympathy to the hero? Try taking the villain and jumping in his or her shoes. A villain is classified as “a cruelly malicious person who is involved in or devoted to wickedness or crime” (dictionary.com). What is the villain(s) point of view? What is he or she trying to accomplish? If their goals are striving for selfish intentions like power, then they are the typical “bad” guy we expect a villain to be. If they are doing evil things for the good of another or for others, then are they technically still a villain? Axel is not devoted to wickedness or crime. He merely is dedicated to be the push in the right direction that Willum needs. Therefore, Axel may act or perform actions that are viewed as wicked, but he simply acts this way for the good of others. Another famous character who portrays the type of villainous hero is Professor Severus Snape from THE J.K. Rowling’s series, “Harry Potter”. The author has been quoted saying “Snape was bitter and he
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