Character Trait: Brutal

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait Brutal refers to someone who is extremely cruel, violent, or harsh in their actions or words. A brutal character may lack empathy or compassion and may enjoy inflicting pain or suffering on others. They may use violence as a means of control or intimidation, or they may simply have a disregard for the well-being of others. This trait can manifest in a variety of ways, from physical aggression to verbal abuse, and can have a significant impact on the dynamics of a story and the relationships between characters.

Possible causes of being brutal

You might want to weave these into your character's back story to build a more believable character.

• Childhood trauma or abuse
• Mental health disorders
• Power or control issues
• Substance abuse or addiction
• Lack of empathy or emotional intelligence
• Learned behavior from role models or peers
• Personality disorders, such as psychopathy or narcissism
• Insecurity or low self-esteem
• Witnessing or experiencing violence
• Societal or cultural conditioning

For detailed feedback on brutal characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's literary analysis software.

Behaviors associated with being brutal

You may be able to show your character's trait of brutal by using these.

• Using violence as a means to achieve goals
• Inflicting physical or emotional pain on others without remorse
• Being quick to anger and aggression
• Enjoying the suffering of others
• Taking pleasure in causing fear and distress
• Being ruthless in decision-making and actions
• Showing no mercy or compassion towards others
• Intimidating and bullying others to get what you want
• Acting impulsively and without regard for consequences

Attitudes associated with being brutal

You may be able to show brutal through their attitudes.

• Coldness or detachment
• A belief in the survival of the fittest
• Disregard for consequences
• Aggressiveness
• Lack of empathy
• Ruthlessness
• Intimidation tactics
• Willingness to use force or violence
• Self-centeredness

Thoughts and struggles associated with being brutal

Here are some ideas for things your brutal character may think or struggle with.

• A fear of vulnerability or weakness, which can lead to a need to constantly prove their strength and power
• A desire for control and domination over others
• An inner conflict between their desire for power and their understanding that their actions may hurt others
• A need for validation and admiration from others, which can drive them to take extreme actions to gain attention and respect
• A tendency to see others as weak and inferior, which can lead to a lack of empathy or consideration for others' feelings
• A struggle with anger management and impulsivity, which can lead to destructive behavior
• The belief that violence and aggression are necessary to achieve their goals

Emotions associated with being brutal

Here are some ideas for emotions your brutal character may experience.

• Ruthless
• Harsh
• Violent
• Merciless
• Aggressive
• Intimidating
• Uncompromising
• Vengeful
• Cruel

Facial expressions associated with being brutal

Here are some facial expressions your brutal character may exhibit.

• A wrinkled or raised upper lip, baring teeth
• A tight-lipped or snarling mouth
• A raised eyebrow in a mocking or challenging manner
• A piercing gaze and intense stare
• A clenched jaw and gritted teeth
• A furrowed brow and narrowed eyes

Body language associated with being brutal

Here is some body language your brutal character may exhibit.

• Loud and forceful speech, possibly with shouting or swearing
• Pacing or restlessness
• Tightening of facial muscles, such as a scowl or sneer
• Aggressive gestures such as pointing, jabbing, or slamming objects
• Noisy and abrupt movements, such as slamming doors or stomping feet
• Intense and unblinking eye contact
• Clenched fists or jaw
• Standing very close to someone, invading their personal space
• Tense and rigid posture

For detailed feedback on brutal characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's literary analysis software.

Behaviors associated with being brutal

Here are some behaviors your brutal character may exhibit.

• Enjoying the suffering of others
• Intimidating and bullying others to get what you want
• Inflicting physical or emotional pain on others without remorse
• Being quick to anger and aggression
• Acting impulsively and without regard for consequences
• Using violence as a means to achieve goals
• Showing no mercy or compassion towards others
• Being ruthless in decision-making and actions
• Taking pleasure in causing fear and distress

Growth and evolution of brutal characters

Here are some ways that your brutal character may grow and evolve over time.

• They might develop a sense of responsibility and accountability, taking ownership of their mistakes and striving to make amends
• They might develop a sense of empathy for others and learn to consider the impact of their actions on those around them
• They might learn to recognize the humanity in others, even those they previously saw as enemies or adversaries
• A Brutal character might learn to control their violent impulses and channel them in a more positive way
• They might come to appreciate the value of mercy and forgiveness, and work to make amends for past wrongs
• They might learn to balance their aggression with strategic thinking and decision-making, becoming a more effective leader or problem solver
• They might learn the value of teamwork and collaboration, and begin to work more effectively with others

Stereotypes of brutal characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical brutal character like these examples.

• One-track-mindedness: Brutal characters are sometimes portrayed as having only one goal in mind, which is usually related to violence or destruction.
• One-dimensional violence: Brutal characters are often portrayed as purely violent, with no other defining characteristics.
• Excessive aggression: Brutal characters are sometimes written as excessively aggressive, resorting to violence at the slightest provocation.
• Lack of self-control: Brutal characters are sometimes depicted as lacking any kind of self-control, acting impulsively and without reason.
• Unfeeling: Brutal characters are often portrayed as emotionless, lacking empathy and compassion.

Negatives of being brutal

Here are some potential negatives of being brutal. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as positives depending on the context.

• Their actions may cause harm or suffering to others without remorse
• They may struggle to form meaningful relationships due to their lack of empathy or understanding of others' emotions
• Brutal characters may be seen as heartless or cruel by others
• They may resort to violence or aggression as a first response to conflict

Positives of being brutal

Here are some potential positives of being brutal. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as negatives depending on the context.

• Brutal characters can be highly focused and driven, which helps them succeed in competitive environments.
• They are not easily deterred by setbacks or failures, and can bounce back quickly.
• Brutal characters can be highly protective of their loved ones and will go to great lengths to keep them safe.
• They tend to be honest and direct in their communication, which can foster clarity and transparency in relationships.
• They are often unafraid of conflict and can handle tough situations with ease.
• They tend to be assertive and confident, which can inspire others to follow their lead.
• Brutal characters can be highly effective and efficient in achieving their goals.

Verbal expressions of brutal characters

Here are some potential expressions used by brutal characters.

• Being unapologetic or unyielding in opinions and actions
• Using harsh language
• Criticizing or judging harshly
• Threatening violence or physical harm
• Using sarcasm or ridicule to mock others
• Showing no remorse or empathy
• Insulting or belittling others
• Using profanity or vulgar language
• Being confrontational or aggressive

Relationships of brutal characters

Here are some ways that being brutal could affect your character's relationships.

• They may struggle with trust and intimacy, as their brutal behavior can push others away or make it difficult to form meaningful connections.
• They may lack empathy or concern for others' feelings or needs, viewing them as weak or irrelevant.
• They may be highly competitive and strive to dominate or win at all costs, even if it means hurting others or breaking rules.
• They may be quick to anger and react aggressively towards others, especially those who challenge or criticize them.
• They may have a tendency to bully or belittle others, especially those who are vulnerable or different from them.
• They may be controlling and manipulative, using fear or intimidation to get their way or maintain power over others.

Examples from books of characters who are brutal

• Patrick Bateman from "American Psycho" by Bret Easton Ellis
• Hannibal Lecter from "The Silence of the Lambs" by Thomas Harris
• The White Witch from "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis
• Dolores Umbridge from "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Nurse Ratched from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" by Ken Kesey
• The Judge from "Blood Meridian" by Cormac McCarthy
• Captain Ahab from "Moby Dick" by Herman Melville
• Alex from "A Clockwork Orange" by Anthony Burgess
• Cersei Lannister from "A Song of Ice and Fire" series by George R.R. Martin

Writing exercises for writing brutal characters

Here are some writing exercises you might try for learning to write brutal characters.

• Write a scene where your character is in a position of power and uses that power to be brutal to someone else. How does the other person react? How does your character feel about their actions?
• Write a flashback to a formative experience in your character's life that helped shape their brutal nature. Was it a traumatic event? A mentor who encouraged them to be ruthless?
• Write a scene where your character is faced with a difficult decision and chooses the most brutal option. How do they justify it to themselves? Do they feel any remorse?
• Start by defining what "brutal" means to you. Is it physical violence? Emotional manipulation? Ruthless ambition? Knowing exactly what you mean by "brutal" will help you write more convincingly about it.