"'And the diabolic forces are stupid,' Ginny said. 'Evil is never intelligent or creative.'" (p. 263)
Maybe we can take her word for it that these particular diabolic forces are stupid, although despising our opponents is one way of reassuring ourselves, but it is certainly not the case that evil is never intelligent. Fiction, reflecting life, is full of criminal masterminds like Moriarty and Blofeld. Hannibal Lecter is intelligent, perceptive and resourceful, qualities that would be good in anyone else. Dornford Yates has it both ways. His formidable major villains have inept minions. In Poul Anderson's works, we must never forget Aycharaych.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
I agree, Virginia spoke too hastily. Some of the most monstrous and evil men were, alas, also very intelligent. I immediately thought of the great tyrant monsters of the 20th century as some examples. And I agree with the examples you listed.
Ad astra! Sean
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