The most interesting characters in The Gothic are the villains. Discuss.

The concept of the villain within the Gothic genre is so fascinating because it is such a complex concept. Frequently in Carter's The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories (1979) there is a sense of ambiguity about the identity of the villain. In 'The Werewolf' the typically innocent young girl can be seen to frame her grandmother for her inheritance thus rendering her the villain. it is rarely that simple in Carter's Gothic as is evident in 'The Tiger's Bride' in which the 'skins of a life of the world' are removed through an acceptance of what is natural. Here the often 'villainous' wild side is shown to be liberating and leaves the bride with a 'nascent patina of shining hairs.' The villain is so interesting in Carter's work because she places the responsibility with society for deeming what ought out to be embraced villainous. Perhaps this is reflective of her own beliefs regarding female authorship and the struggle for women to be published illustrated by the establishing of virago a female only publishing house in 1973.The Gothic is so exhilarating for readers because of the frisson it evokes regarding the psychology of the individual. There is a villainous side to all of us driven by the primitive id: The Gothic is able to expose this. The actions of 'The Crew of Light' appear villainous: they 'gang rape' Lucy by driving the stake through her heart. Moreover, Jonathan's desire for the 'voluptuousness' of the female vampires in Castle Dracula serves to reveal his own immoral desires; desires which Carter encourages, however were far too taboo for Stoker's audience to accept as natural.