Writing Morally Grey Characters
Crafting morally ambiguous characters is about mirroring the complexity of the human condition.
Morally ambiguous characters are defined by the inherent ambiguity of their nature. Their choices often straddle ethical boundaries, driven by a complex blend of self-interest and altruistic motives. It is this duality that captivates us, as it reflects the intricate nature of real-life ethical dilemmas. In a world where the path of righteousness isn't always clear-cut, these characters embody the struggles and conflicts that we encounter in our own lives.
“When writing a novel a writer should create living people; people not characters. A character is a caricature.” ― Ernest Hemingway
What makes morally ambiguous characters so alluring is their flawed humanity. They are shaped by their surroundings, experiences, and desires, just like any ordinary person. It is through their imperfections and vulnerabilities that we can relate to them on a deeper level. We see ourselves in their struggles, their triumphs, and their moral dilemmas. They challenge our preconceived notions of right and wrong, forcing us to question our own beliefs and values.
By embracing the complexity of morally ambiguous characters, writers can create narratives that are rich in depth and resonate with audiences on a profound level. Through their stories, we are shown the shades of grey that exist within us all.
Writing Morally Grey Characters
To effectively portray a morally ambiguous character, an author must lead the reader through the intricate labyrinth of the character’s psyche. With unwavering determination, the author meticulously unravels the intricate layers of the character's motivations, fears, and desires, peeling back each delicate veil to expose their true essence.
“I don't know where people got the idea that characters in books are supposed to be likable. Books are not in the business of creating merely likable characters with whom you can have some simple identification.” — John Green
Creating morally grey characters involves developing individuals who embody a delicate balance of virtues and flaws, resulting in captivating and multidimensional personas. This approach enhances their relatability, complexity, and authenticity. These are some of the steps I would recommend taking to write morally grey characters:
Define Their Motivations: Begin by finding what drives your character at their core. Morally grey individuals often possess compelling motivations behind their actions, even if those actions may raise questions or challenge societal norms. These motivations may range from protecting loved ones to pursuing a perceived greater good, revealing the intricate layers that influence their decisions and actions.
Craft a Complex Backstory: A character's past significantly shapes their beliefs, actions, and moral compass. For morally grey characters, their backstory should encompass experiences that justify their worldview and actions. This may include personal traumas, societal influences, or pivotal moments that forced them to compromise their ethics. By exploring the complexities of their past, you can add depth and nuance to their character development.
Establish a Moral Framework: Within your story's universe, define the ethical rules and norms that govern the characters' actions. Situate your morally grey character within this framework, as they often navigate the gray areas of these rules, challenging the simplistic notions of good versus evil. This allows for moral ambiguity and creates opportunities for thought-provoking storytelling.
Portray Internal Conflict: One defining trait of morally grey characters is their internal struggle. They should frequently question their choices and face the consequences of their actions, displaying a mix of guilt, remorse, and justification that adds depth to their persona. By highlighting their internal conflicts, you can showcase their complexity and the ongoing battle between their virtues and flaws.
Develop Relationships That Challenge Them: Interactions with other characters can highlight and test the moral ambiguity of your character. Relationships that compel them to confront their beliefs, question their methods, or face the repercussions of their actions are vital for their growth and development. These relationships can serve as mirrors, reflecting different perspectives and pushing the character towards self-reflection and evolution.
Avoid Absolute Good or Evil: To maintain the morally grey nature of your character, ensure that they are not simply a villain with redeeming qualities or a hero with minor flaws. Their actions should reflect both good and bad intentions, and their decisions should not always yield morally clear outcomes. This ambiguity adds complexity and keeps the readers engaged and intrigued.
Evoke Moral Evolution Over Time: Morally grey characters should not remain stagnant. Their experiences and interactions should shape their morality, allowing them to grow, regress, or fundamentally change. This evolution adds dynamism and realism to their portrayal, as they navigate the challenges and dilemmas presented to them.
Balance Sympathy and Repulsion: Strive to create a character that readers can empathize with, even when they disagree with their actions. However, it is equally important to depict the genuine consequences of their morally ambiguous choices, thereby keeping the character grounded and relatable. This balance between sympathy and repulsion creates a compelling and thought-provoking reading experience.
Incorporate Ethical Dilemmas: Place your character in situations where they must grapple with difficult choices, forcing them to confront their moral compass and question their beliefs. These ethical dilemmas should challenge their convictions and compel them to weigh their options, showcasing the complexity of their character and the choices they make.
Reflect Real Human Complexity: Above all, remember that morally grey characters embody the idea that individuals are capable of both incredible kindness and immense cruelty, depending on circumstances, beliefs, and choices.
In my personal experience writing morally ambiguous characters, I’ve taken aspects of people I have known throughout my life and combined these elements to form amalgamated antiheroes, protagonists, and antagonists.
For example, in “Spellbound Under The Spanish Moss,” I modeled Wally after several family members. He is a truth-stretching raconteur and a bit of a con artist, but he does display heroism and beneath his misdeeds, he has a desperate need to love and be loved. His life and the decisions he made before the story are punctuated by a final decision, which proves that people can redeem themselves in a single moment.
Likewise, Evangeline, the witch of the wilds, is willing to do anything for her daughter. Once the reader understands her motivations, she often ends up becoming their favorite character. However, on the surface, her actions appear to be anything but noble.
I write these types of characters because they give me hope. Every day, we have the opportunity to learn and grow as humans. As we grow older, we realize our dads weren’t perfect. Our friends aren’t either. We certainly aren’t. We’re all human. And we’re all just different shades of grey.
Examples of Morally Grey Characters
1. Jaime Lannister from "A Song of Ice and Fire" by George R.R. Martin
Jaime Lannister's character arc in "Game of Thrones" epitomizes the theme of redemption and the complexity of human morality. Initially introduced as a seemingly irredeemable villain—most notably demonstrated by his act of pushing Bran Stark from a window—Jaime's character gradually unfolds to reveal the depth of his motivations and inner struggles. His reprehensible actions serve as a starting point for a significant transformation, where he begins to question the immoral deeds of his family and takes steps toward protecting the innocent. This journey of self-discovery and the quest for redemption showcases Jaime as a multi-dimensional character, challenging viewers' and readers' initial perceptions and eliciting empathy for his internal conflicts and desire to amend his past misdeeds.
“Most have been forgotten. Most deserve to be forgotten. The heroes will always be remembered. The best. The best and the worst. And a few who were a bit of both.” — Jaime Lannister
Throughout the series, Jaime's efforts to redefine himself and atone for his actions highlight the potential for personal growth and the power of change. His path is laden with obstacles, reflecting a realistic portrayal of redemption as a difficult and often nonlinear process. Jaime's evolution from a villain to a character capable of love, loyalty, and ethical choices—sometimes at the expense of his familial ties—forces audiences to reevaluate their notions of morality and redemption. His story raises poignant questions about the nature of change and the possibility of forgiveness for even the gravest of errors.
2. Walter White from "Breaking Bad"
Walter White begins as a sympathetic character, a high school chemistry teacher turned methamphetamine manufacturer who is determined to secure his family's financial future after being diagnosed with cancer. As the series progresses, his transformation becomes more complex and nuanced. Driven by a growing ego and an insatiable desire for power, Walter's actions blur the lines between victim and villain, as he spirals deeper into the dangerous world of drug trafficking.
“I have spent my whole life scared, frightened of things that could happen, might happen, might not happen, 50 years I spent like that. Finding myself awake at three in the morning. But you know what? Ever since my diagnosis, I sleep just fine. What I came to realize is that fear, that’s the worst of it. That’s the real enemy.” — Walter White
This gripping character arc serves as a captivating exploration of how circumstances and choices can push a seemingly good person to commit unimaginable acts. Walter's journey raises profound questions about morality, identity, and the far-reaching consequences of our choices.
3. Severus Snape from the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
Severus Snape, a character from the beloved Harry Potter series, is a fascinating figure whose enigmatic moral alignment keeps readers guessing until the very end of the story. At first glance, Snape is portrayed as a bitter and cruel teacher, seemingly harboring a deep-seated dislike for Harry Potter. However, as the narrative unfolds, Snape's true motivations are gradually unveiled, revealing a deep-rooted, undying love that he secretly harbors. This love, intertwined with unwavering loyalty, adds complexity and depth to Snape's character.
“The mind is not a book, to be opened at will and examined at leisure. Thoughts are not etched on the inside of skulls, to be perused by an invader. The mind is a complex and many-layered thing, Potter… or at least, most minds are…” — Severus Snape
What sets Snape apart is his ability to effectively serve as a double agent, skillfully navigating the treacherous waters of the wizarding world. While appearing to align himself with the dark wizard Voldemort, Snape secretly protects Harry Potter, acting as a guardian in the shadows. This intricate portrayal of Snape as a double agent showcases his remarkable intelligence and cunning and highlights the internal struggle he faces in maintaining this facade.
As readers come to better understand Snape's character, they are confronted with a range of emotions, forced to grapple with the complexities and multifaceted nature of human beings. Snape's ability to simultaneously evoke sympathy and revulsion is a testament to J.K. Rowling's masterful storytelling. His journey serves as a reminder that individuals are not always what they seem, and that true heroism can come from unexpected places.
4. Bill the Butcher from “Gangs of New York”
Bill the Butcher, from "Gangs of New York," is a prime example of a morally grey character, masterfully portrayed by Daniel Day-Lewis. As the leader of a nativist gang, Bill exhibits extreme xenophobia, brutality, and a penchant for violence, particularly against immigrants. These actions frame him as a villain, embodying cruelty and intolerance under the guise of protecting native-born Americans' supremacy. However, his character is complex. Bill demonstrates a skewed yet strict code of ethics, valuing loyalty and respect above all. His interactions, especially with Amsterdam Vallon, the film's protagonist seeking revenge for his father's death by Bill's hand, reveal a capacity for honor and a deep respect for worthy adversaries, adding layers to his otherwise malevolent persona.
“We hold in our hearts the memory of our fallen brothers whose blood stains the very streets we walk today. Also on this night we pay tribute to the leader of our enemies, an honorable man, who crossed over bravely, fighting for what he believed in. To defeat my enemy, I extinguish his life, and consume him as I consume these flames. In honor of Priest Vallon.” — Bill the Butcher
The ambiguity of Bill's morality is a reflection of the harsh realities of 19th-century New York, a time of lawlessness and societal upheaval where survival often meant extreme and morally questionable actions. Bill's leadership and charisma, which provide a semblance of order and protection, challenge viewers to reconsider the binary notions of good and evil. This nuanced portrayal invites audiences to grapple with the complexities of morality, demonstrating how personal ethics, societal pressures, and the context of one's actions can blur the lines between right and wrong, making Bill the Butcher a compelling study of moral ambiguity.
5. Jay Gatsby from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald:
In F. Scott Fitzgerald's timeless masterpiece, "The Great Gatsby," the enigmatic Jay Gatsby emerges as someone who personifies the archetype of moral ambiguity. His relentless pursuit of his idealized love interest, the enchanting Daisy Buchanan, propels him into a series of questionable actions that challenge conventional notions of right and wrong. Motivated by an all-consuming love for Daisy, Gatsby's methods entangle him in a complex web of deceit, criminality, and intricate schemes that reflect the depths of his obsession.
“Can’t repeat the past?…Why of course you can!” — Jay Gatsby
Through the elaborate and multi-layered narrative, readers are invited to explore the ethical implications of Gatsby's choices and to confront the delicate interplay between love, morality, and the sacrifices one is willing to make to chase their dreams. This thought-provoking tale compels readers to ponder the blurred boundaries between passion and morality, as well as the profound impact of one's aspirations on the course of their lives.
Why Morally Grey Characters Resonate
Morally grey characters resonate with audiences for several reasons. Firstly, they reflect the reality that people are not wholly good or evil but a mix of both. This realism fosters a deeper connection between the character and the audience. Secondly, these characters often undergo significant development, providing a rich narrative arc that is both unpredictable and engaging. Finally, morally grey characters force audiences to confront their moral compasses, offering no easy answers but instead prompting reflection and debate.
Think of your main characters as dinner guests. Would your friends want to spend ten hours with the characters you’ve created? Your characters can be loveable, or they can be evil, but they’d better be compelling. ― Po Bronson
Writing morally grey characters requires a delicate balance of empathy, understanding, and creativity. Characters like Jaime Lannister, Walter White, and Severus Snape exemplify the compelling nature of moral ambiguity, engaging audiences in a deep, often personal dialogue about ethics, redemption, and the human condition. In the end, morally gray characters endure in the collective imagination because they represent the unvarnished truth of humanity: flawed, conflicted, but always capable of change.