How Evil Is This Character? - The Inferno Model For Ranking Evil Characters

[Barry Poppins]

How Evil Is This Character?
Based on Dante's Inferno

The title kind of tells you what this post will be all about, but for those who are not aware: The Nine Circles of Hell are a theorized model for the Christian Hell, as depicted by Dante Alighieri in the 13th Century. Each circle is based on a particular sin, going in order from the first circle to the ninth: Limbo, Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Wrath, Heresy, Violence (Against Others, Against Self, and Against God), Fraud (Ten Denominations of Fraud), and Treachery. In this thread, I will additionally be including Dante's Purgatory, a resting place for souls who are in the process of being cleansed for Heaven, and Paradise, the realm of Heaven and God.

The Tierlist for this thread will appear something akin to this:



Each Tier Explained:
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Paradiso (Flawless) - The top-most tier in the list, Paradiso is for characters who are without character flaw, of great excellence, nobility, and goodness, that they would be accepted into Heaven at the utmost urgency. Example of a character in this tier: Superman (Justice League).

Purgatorio (Flawed but Good) - Purgatory in this tier is for characters who are good-natured, but suffer from a flaw that would keep them from being a beacon of good. They either suffer from minor kinds of sin which are not enough to make one evil or neutral. Example of a character in this tier: Batman (Justice League).

Limbo (Flawed Neutral) - These characters are not particularly heroic, or intent on spreading goodness to the world or those around them. They are the average person in the world; these characters are primarily self-interested and just attempting to take life one day at a time. They have flaws, but these flaws are not grave sins that would lower them into the deeper parts of Hell. Examples of characters in this tier: Whis (Dragon Ball), and Frank Grimes (The Simpsons).

1st Circle (Mildly Selfish) - These characters may not be the worst people, but their blatant mistakes and selfishness continues to get them into trouble. It may not be intentional, but it's entirely possible for them to be cowards who continue to make the wrong decision time and time again. They care mostly about themselves, even if they have their moments of goodness. An example of a character in this tier: Kazuya Kinoshita (Rent-A-Girlfriend).

2nd Circle (Mildly Sociopathic) - This is a character who is not a good character, primarily because of their personality. They can be mean, cruel, and otherwise just assholes to other people. Despite this they are not entirely bereft of good. These characters have a rare moment of good in them, but otherwise are more likely to throw an insult than a compliment to a stranger. An example of a character in this tier: Cotton Hill (King of the Hill).

3rd Circle (Mildly Malicious) - Despite what one may think, this character's good charm and demeanor hides a much darker nature, where this character enjoys spreading misery or causing trouble for others. These characters are not likely to kill or murder others; but rather, trick other people, play hurtful pranks, and generally just be a nuisance for their own amusement. They do have the potential to do something good, if they believe it serves their own purposes. An example of this character is Q (Star Trek).

4th Circle (Selfish) - These characters cause problems for everyone because they just cannot help it. They're either dirty cowards, greedy jerks, or just arrogant idiots. They will do whatever they think is best for them, even if others may get hurt in the process. When something goes wrong, they go into panic mode and lash out, usually exacerbating the situation until it gets wildly out of control from their grasp. Examples of characters in this tier: Major Frank M. Burns (M*A*S*H*) and Jerry Lundegaard (Fargo).

5th Circle (Sociopathic) - Erratic, hateful, and full of spite for others. These characters are the definition of functioning sociopaths. They may not appear it, but they have the potential to be as cruel and vicious as even the most evil characters. Yet what holds these people back from being on the bottom of the list is the fact that they are aware of it, and either make strides to hold it back, or are able to curtain their sociopathic tendencies in order to do good, even if it may be for selfish reasons. Characters in this tier tend to be criminals as well. Examples of characters in this tier are: Tony Soprano (The Sopranos), Dexter Morgan (Dexter) and Trevor Phillips (Grand Theft Auto 5).

6th Circle (Malicious) - Characters in this tier are even worse forms of tricksters and liars. These characters enjoy causing pain to others through schemes and lies. They have the potential to kill others, but usually indirectly through destroying their lives, or by causing them to commit crimes in their name. These characters are perhaps the most varied, as they could be religious figures, top-ranking businessmen, or even the average conman. What makes these characters more interesting is that despite their malicious nature, they also have the potential to redeem themselves in spite of their list of sins; but they are usually too self-centered to choose redemption. Examples of this character includes: Lyle Lanley (The Simpsons), and Nucky Thompson (Boardwalk Empire).

7th Circle (Irreparably Selfish) - These characters are evil through their selfish desires and carnal whims. They will choose to destroy all the world and eons fulfill their own self-interested goals. They do not care how much damage they do, as their minds have become twisted and entirely warped by their narcissism and ego. Selfish characters like this are not capable of performing good acts, or only perform said acts if it furthers the goal of their desires. Examples of characters in this tier are: Jafar (Aladdin), Walter Donovan (Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade), and Cersei Lannister (Game of Thrones).

8th Circle (Irreparably Sociopathic) - These characters are forces of their own sociopathy. They are antisocial, driven, and have their own code for which they never turn. Their evil is based upon their motives and unrelenting and unapologetic violence. They will kill for any reason they justify, and will never apologize for doing so. These characters can either be automatons of destruction, or mercenaries of death. Some examples of characters in this tier: Anton Chigurh (No Country for Old Men), Judge Holden (Blood Meridian), and Jason Vorhees (Friday The 13th).

9th Circle (Irreparably Malicious) - These characters are the most irredeemable of the lot, brought low to the bottom of Hell for their evil. These characters take great pleasure in inflicting pain, death, destruction, and misery to others. These characters believe that they are above everyone and everything; characters in this tier may be genocidal dictators, serial killers, or violent and backstabbing psychopaths. Some examples of characters in this tier: Dmitri Rascalov (Grand Theft Auto 5), King Joffrey Baratheon (Game of Thrones), and Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare on Elm Street).

And so, with each tier explained, feel free to give me a character and I'll determine where they are on the tier list, depending how evil they are.
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Archived List:

Tiers of Hell​	Characters​
Paradiso (Flawless)	Superman (Justice League)
Purgatorio (Flawed But Good)	Batman (Justice League), Son Goku (Dragon Ball), Butters (South Park)
Limbo (Flawed Neutral)	Whis (Dragon Ball), Frank Grimes (The Simpsons), Mr. Poopybutthole (Rick and Morty), Dale Cooper (Twin Peaks), Dante Hicks (Clerks), Randal Graves (Clerks), Dr. Peter Venkman (Ghostbusters), Jerry Seinfeld (Seinfeld), George Costanza (Seinfeld), Eleine Benes (Seinfeld), Cosmo Kramer (Seinfeld), Howard The Duck (Howard The Duck),
1st Circle (Mildly Selfish)	Kazuya Kinoshita (Rent-A-Girlfriend), Bart Simpson (The Simpsons), Tim Riggins (Friday Night Lights), Ash Williams (The Evil Dead)
2nd Circle (Mildly Sociopathic)	Cotton Hill (King of the Hill), L Lawliet (Death Note), Loki (Marvel Cinematic Universe), Charlie Kelley (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia), Deandra Reynolds (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia)
3rd Circle (Mildly Malicious)	Q (Star Trek), Dennis Reynolds (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia)
4th Circle (Selfish)	Major Frank M. Burns (M*A*S*H*), Jerry Lundegaard (Fargo), Walter White (Breaking Bad), Roger (American Dad!), Ronald McDonald (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia)
5th Circle (Sociopathic)	Tony Soprano (The Sopranos), Dexter Morgan (Dexter), Trevor Phillips (GTA V), Opie Winston (Sons of Anarchy), Omni-Man (Invincible), Vito Corleone (The Godfather), Kane (WWE), Frank Reynolds (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia)
6th Circle (Malicious)	Lyle Lanley (The Simpsons), Nucky Thompson (Boardwalk Empire), Niklaus Mikaelson (The Vampire Diaries), Anakin Skywalker (Star Wars)
7th Circle (Irreparably Selfish)	Jafar (Aladdin), Cersei Lannister (Game of Thrones), Walter Donovan (Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade), Malcolm Merlyn (Arrow)
8th Circle (Irreparably Sociopathic)	Anton Chigurh (No Country for Old Men), Judge Holden (Blood Meridian), Jason Vorhees (Friday The 13th), Light Yagami (Death Note), Michael Corleone (The Godfather)
9th Circle (Irreparably Malicious)	Dmitri Rascalov (GTA 4), King Joffrey Baratheon (Game of Thrones), Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare on Elm Street), Albert Wesker (Resident Evil), Mr. McMahon (WWE), Eobard Thawne (The Flash)

 

[Professor Booty]

Opie Winston Sons of Anarchy

 

[Chris]

Walter White

 

[Professor Booty]

Mr Poopy Butthole

 

[O-Blaze]

Goku

 

[Mitch Buchannon]

Dale Cooper

 

[Loochblade]

Albert Wesker, because of course...

 

[Switchblake]

Albert Wesker, because of course...

Need a new level.:.

THE GOAT

 

[Switchblake]

Klaus Mikaelson, The Originals/TVD

 

[Wolverine]

Wrong character.

I go with Bart Simpson.

 

[Barry Poppins]

New Entries:

Opie Winston (Sons of Anarchy) - He's a murderer, wrathful, has ties to criminal activities, and while he tried to care about his family, his faults led him to his death, as well as the misery of others in his lifetime. I would probably say that he belongs in The Fifth Circle of Hell (Sociopathic).

Walter White (Breaking Bad) - Walter White is a creator of pure heroin, has committed crimes such as murder, larceny, and drug trafficking. He lied to his family, despite his care for them and the reasons for why he committed crimes. His death to save Jesse Pinkman redeems him somewhat in the eyes of many. The tier he would belong in would be The Fourth Circle of Hell (Selfish).

Mr. Poopy Butthole (Rick and Morty) - He breaks the fourth wall, tries to be a good person, but ultimately he suffers from flaws, such as drug use and holding grudges. Not to mention he is an accomplice to a plot to kidnap and gaslight an alternate world version of his wife into believing everything is fine. No matter how you slice it, that belongs in Limbo (Flawed Neutral).

Son Goku (Dragon Ball) - We actually have the privilege of getting to watch Son Goku grow into an adult and become a family man. He's a good-natured fighter and defender of his universe, while also having to juggle being a friend, husband, and father to many people. It's hard to say that Goku isn't a good person. He's a hero several times over, and has done his part to revive countless millions who have been killed over the decades of his life. Yet Goku is not without flaw, and perhaps his greatest flaw is what holds him back: His thirst for battle and his incredible mercy for even the most evil of people in-and-out of his universe. The biggest example being letting Frieza live when there was no pragmatic reason to do so. Goku otherwise belongs in Purgatory (Flawed but Good).

Agent Dale Cooper (Twin Peaks) - Ah, everyone's favorite monologuing FBI Detective. While Dale would probably tend towards the "Good" side of the afterlife, let's actually go through some of his various sins: He had an affair with his partner's wife, which led to her murder, and... that's it. Yeah, pretty much he suffered from a major character and ethical flaw that led to another character being killed for it. I don't think that necessarily would qualify him for Hell, so Dale Cooper belongs in Limbo (Flawed Neutral).

Albert Wesker (Resident Evil) - Gee, let's see here. Murder, torture, manipulation, espionage, and committing war crimes for the sake of doing it. His entire raison d'etre is essentially to spread his ideology for super humans (since he himself is a product of eugenics). His betrayals and level of destruction throughout the whole series spreads like a plague, from his first treasonous actions the night he murdered James Marcus, to his dying breath in a volcano. Wesker belongs right in The Ninth Circle of Hell (Irreparably Malicious).

Niklaus Mikaelson (The Vampire Diaries) - Well, let's see his list of crimes: He's turned other people into vampires (some against their consent), he's killed people several times over. He also collects trophies of his kills, and has little to no regard for human life. Some of the only things he's shown to care about is himself, his family, and a very select number of others. With all that said, I think Klaus probably belongs in The Sixth Circle of Hell (Malicious).

 

[O-Blaze]

exactly where I would've put Goku as well.

 

[Barry Poppins]

Bart Simpson (The Simpsons) - Bart strikes me as kind of a jerkass, but not necessarily evil or even malicious. The series is long as hell, and his characterization over the seasons has changed over time and varied, but if we stick primarily with the first eight seasons of The Simpsons, I would say that Bart Simpson belongs in The First Circle of Hell (Mildly Selfish).

 

[Professor Booty]

Walter White made meth not heroin

huge difference

also not sure he's a better person than Opie


How about Dante Hicks

 

[Mitch Buchannon]

Let's do Tim Riggins from FNL