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Outline what makes the Joker an appealing character according to Rob Bricken.

Compare the Joker and Richard III – in Shakespeare’s play and Loncraine’s movie – as embodiments of villains.

Polygon, a website focusing on games and movies, has invited readers to send in articles to be published as part of their online content, commenting on the statement “It is the evil characters that fascinate us most.”

Write the article, referring to the text at hand, the play King Richard III, and its movie adaptation by Richard Loncraine.

According to Rob Bricken, the Joker is appealing for several reasons despite being one of the most violent fictional villains. His popularity goes far beyond his role as Batman’s greatest enemy, making him one of the best-known comic book characters worldwide.

One reason for his appeal is that he represents rebellion against society and its rules. Bricken explains that the Joker is often seen as an anti-establishment figure whose rejection of social conventions appeals to people who feel disappointed by or excluded from society. His refusal to accept moral values or authority makes him attractive to those who believe the system has failed them.

Another factor is the strong contrast between the Joker and Batman. While Batman stands for order, justice and self-control, the Joker represents chaos and destruction. Unlike Batman, who is serious and follows a strict moral code, the Joker enjoys what he does, laughs while committing crimes and appears to have complete freedom from social expectations.

Bricken also argues that the Joker's appearance contributes to his popularity. Instead of hiding in the shadows like many villains, he wears bright clothes, attracts attention and turns his crimes into theatrical performances. His colourful costume, clown-like face and unpredictable behaviour make him entertaining as well as frightening.

Furthermore, the Joker sometimes appears to fight against corrupt politicians or other criminals. Although he remains a villain, these actions can make him seem like someone who occasionally targets people who deserve punishment, which increases his appeal for some readers.

Another important aspect is his worldview. The Joker believes that society is hypocritical and that people abandon their morals in difficult situations. According to Bricken, many people can identify with at least some of this criticism, especially if they think that society is unfair or dysfunctional. The 2019 film Joker strengthens this impression by presenting Arthur Fleck as someone whose violent transformation is partly caused by social injustice and exclusion.

However, Bricken also points out the dangers of this appeal. Some people admire the Joker not only as a fictional character but also because they accept his rejection of morality and use it to justify violence or revenge. As a result, some real criminals have imitated or referred to the Joker.

Overall, Bricken argues that the Joker is appealing because he combines entertainment, rebellion, freedom from social rules and criticism of society. At the same time, he warns that these qualities can make the character dangerously attractive to some people.

Both the Joker and Richard III are memorable villains who fascinate audiences despite their cruelty. Although they come from different genres and historical periods, they share several characteristics. At the same time, their personalities, motivations and methods differ considerably.

One important similarity is that both characters stand out because of their unusual appearance.

The Joker's colourful suit, clown make-up and exaggerated smile make him immediately recognisable and reflect his unpredictable personality. Richard III is also marked by his physical appearance. In Shakespeare's play, he repeatedly refers to his deformity and believes that it excludes him from normal society. In Loncraine's film, his disability is made visually obvious and reinforces the impression that he is an outsider.

Another similarity is that both characters feel alienated from society. According to Rob Bricken, the Joker rejects social rules because he believes that society is hypocritical and corrupt. In the same way, Richard presents himself as someone who has been denied love and acceptance because of his appearance. As a result, both characters turn against the society that they believe has rejected them.

Furthermore, neither character has moral principles. They are willing to manipulate, betray and kill without showing remorse. Human life has little value for either of them, and violence becomes a normal means of achieving their aims. This lack of empathy makes them both powerful and frightening villains.

However, there are also significant differences. Richard is highly strategic and calculating. Every murder he orders serves a clear political purpose: eliminating rivals on his way to the English throne. He carefully plans his actions, deceives other characters and often lets others carry out the killings for him. The Joker, on the other hand, is far more impulsive and unpredictable. He often commits murders himself and frequently acts without any practical benefit. His main goal is not political power but the destruction of order and the creation of chaos.

Another difference lies in their personalities. Richard is an excellent speaker who openly shares his plans with the audience through soliloquies. This creates dramatic irony because the audience knows his true intentions while the other characters do not. The Joker, by contrast, remains mysterious. His past is uncertain, and even his motives are often contradictory. This unpredictability makes him appear even more dangerous because neither the audience nor the other characters can fully understand or anticipate his actions.

Finally, the two villains represent different ideas. Richard symbolises the corrupt pursuit of political power and personal ambition. The Joker, however, represents anarchy and the rejection of social norms. Whereas Richard wants to control society by becoming king, the Joker wants to destroy society's rules altogether.

In conclusion, both Richard III and the Joker are charismatic villains who attract audiences because they are intelligent, confident and completely ruthless. Nevertheless, Richard is a calculating political schemer driven by ambition, while the Joker is an anarchist whose main objective is to spread fear and chaos. These differences make them two very different, but equally fascinating, embodiments of evil.

Why We Can't Look Away from Villains

"They're the characters we love to hate." This expression perfectly describes the fascination many people feel for fictional villains. Whether it is the Joker from the Batman universe or Richard III in Shakespeare's famous history play, evil characters often leave a stronger impression than the heroes. But does that really mean that villains fascinate us more than good characters? In my opinion, they often do – although not because we admire them, but because they reveal uncomfortable truths about human nature and society.

The Joker is a perfect example of this fascination. As Rob Bricken points out, he is one of the most famous comic book characters of all time. His popularity is remarkable because he is responsible for countless murders and acts of violence. Nevertheless, many people find him fascinating. One reason is that he rejects society's rules and questions its moral values. His belief that people abandon their principles in difficult situations challenges both the characters around him and the audience. Even if most people reject his actions, they may still find some of his criticism of society thought-provoking.

Another reason for the Joker's popularity is his unpredictability. Unlike many villains who seek money or power, the Joker often acts simply to spread chaos. This makes him impossible to understand completely, which keeps audiences interested. His colourful appearance, dark humour and theatrical behaviour also make him one of the most entertaining villains in popular culture. However, Bricken rightly warns that this fascination can become dangerous when people begin to ignore the Joker's crimes and see him as a role model instead of a fictional character.

Richard III is another villain who attracts audiences, although for different reasons. In Shakespeare's play, Richard is highly intelligent, manipulative and ambitious. He openly shares his plans with the audience through his soliloquies, making the audience his confidant. This creates dramatic irony because we know much more than the other characters. Even though Richard commits terrible crimes, his confidence, wit and rhetorical skills make him an unforgettable character.

Richard Loncraine's film adaptation strengthens this fascination even further. Ian McKellen portrays Richard as charismatic and self-confident, making it easy to understand why other characters trust him despite his obvious ruthlessness. The film's modern fascist setting also makes Richard's rise to power seem surprisingly realistic. Instead of presenting him as a distant historical figure, the adaptation reminds viewers that charismatic dictators can gain influence in any period of history.

Nevertheless, I would not say that evil characters always fascinate us more than heroes. Many heroic figures remain popular because they represent values such as courage, justice and self-sacrifice. Batman, for example, is admired because he refuses to abandon his moral principles, even when facing enemies like the Joker. Without heroes, villains would also lose much of their appeal because their actions only become meaningful through the conflict between good and evil.

In the end, however, I believe that villains often stay in our minds longer than heroes. Their complexity, unpredictability and willingness to cross moral boundaries make them more surprising and psychologically interesting. At the same time, they force us to ask difficult questions about power, morality and human nature. As long as we remember that fictional fascination is not the same as admiration, evil characters will continue to be among the most memorable figures in literature, films and games.