Bad Quote by Lin-Manuel Miranda
“In the best works of fiction, there's no mustache-twirling villain. I try to write shows where even the bad guy's got his reasons.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Theatrical Writing Process, Lin-Manuel Miranda, 2022
Complex characters avoid simple evil; villains should have relatable motives.
In simple terms: Villains need reasons.
Key Takeaway
Write layered antagonists.
Themes
character development
morality
storytelling
Mood
thoughtful
creative
Type
narrative
character study
When to use this quote
- screenwriting
- novel writing
- theatre production
Key Concepts
psychology
motivation
conflict
Questions to Reflect On
- What motivates your antagonist?
- How can you humanize a villain?
A Different Perspective
Simple evil can feel unrealistic and reduce audience engagement.
![“It's hard to pick. I mean, I think the one that is most emblematic of the collaboration that occurred is "We Know The Way." That's the first song we wrote for the movie [Moana]. We actually got it written that weekend in New Zealand, so we're all in New Zealand, we're all absorbing this culture…” quote by Lin-Manuel Miranda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2ae/lin-manuel-miranda-2352_absorbing_it-s-hard-to-pick-i-mean-i-think-the-one_119053.jpg)
