Archenemy
- For other uses, see Archenemy (disambiguation).
An archenemy, archfoe, archvillain or archnemesis (sometimes spelled arch-enemy, arch-foe, arch-villain or arch-nemesis, originated around the mid-16th century) is the principal enemy of a character in a work of fiction, often described as the hero's worst enemy (compare nemesis).[1][2][3]
Etymology
The word archenemy or arch-enemy originated around the mid-16th century, from the words arch- (from Greek "arkhos" meaning "most important")[3] and enemy.[1]
Reasons for an archenemy
 | This section possibly contains original research. (June 2010) |
There are many reasons one particular antagonist would stand out from the rest of the hero's rogues gallery as the archenemy. Some of them include:
- Posing the greatest threat, such as seeking global domination or terrorism rather than simple larceny (e.g. Doctor Doom and the Fantastic Four;[4][5] Professor Moriarty and Sherlock Holmes[6][7]).
- The villain could have a personal grudge against the hero (e.g. Lex Luthor and Superman; Doctor Claw and Inspector Gadget).
- Competitive combative contests, where both vie for similar goals, such as the love or approval of an individual or group (e.g. Rene Belloq and Indiana Jones[8]).
- Caused, or at least connected to, traumatic events and tragedies in the hero's life (e.g. the Joker and Batman,[11][12] Professor Zoom and the Barry Allen Flash,[13] Lord Voldemort and Harry Potter).
- Serves as an "evil twin" to the hero (e.g. Flexo and Bender, Steel Serpent and Iron Fist).
- The villain and the hero could be the respective leaders of two opposing factions (e.g. Megatron and Optimus Prime).
- Once had a good relationship, such as an amicable or romantic relationship, with the hero (e.g. the Master and the Doctor, Magneto and Professor Xavier).
An accepted[citation needed] diagnostic criterion distinguishing an enemy from an archenemy is the Archenemy Triad in which three of the above criteria are met.
In certain cases, it is possible for a hero to possess more than one archenemy, as in the case of Spider-Man with Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, and Venom where all three villains have established themselves, at various times, as the most recurring and the most iconic of Spider-Man's rogues gallery.[4][14]
Other examples of archenemies
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See also
Notes
- ^ a b "archenemy definition". Dictionary. Dictionary.com. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
{{cite web}}: Text "Dictionary.com" ignored (help) - ^ "archenemy - Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary". Merriam-Webster. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
- ^ a b c Wicaksono, Rachel. "BBC World Service". BBC. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
{{cite web}}: Text "Ask about English" ignored (help); Text "Learning English" ignored (help) Cite error: The named reference "BBCLearningEng" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page). - ^ a b c d e f g h Albert, Aaron. "Top Ten Comic Book Archenemies - Superhero and Villain Arch-rivals". About.com. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
- ^ "MCN: Who ARE the Fantastic Four?". Movie City News. Archived from the original on May 11, 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
- ^ Reuters (1991-05-05). "Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Alpine Publicity Stunt - New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ Moyes, Jojo (2000-03-09). "Actor who played Blofeld dies at 71 - This Britain, UK - The Independent". London: The Independent. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
- ^ "Indiana Jones News - Unlocking the Deluxe World of Indiana Jones with 3 ¾ ″ Deluxe Action Figures". Hasbro. 2008-04-14. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
- ^ a b "Ad-Blurbs for Super Mario 64". MobyGames. 2005. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
- ^ a b "Bowser - IGN Super Smash Wiki". IGN. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
- ^ "Ledger death leaves studio with balancing act". Melbourne: The Age. 2008-01-25. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
- ^ Albert, Aaron. "The Joker Profile". About.com. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
- ^ http://www.hyperborea.org/flash/zoom.html
- ^ http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Doctor's+orders+for+Spider+sequel.(News)-a097988284
- ^ "Tim Roth in '08 Hulk Film". Marvel Entertainment, Inc. 2007-05-11. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
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{{cite web}}: Text "I'm gonna git you, suckhead" ignored (help) - ^ Stax (2004-04-30). "The Return of Judge Dredd". IGN. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
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- ^ "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze". MTV. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
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- ^ http://www.mjnewton.demon.co.uk/bond/blofeld.htm
- ^ http://www.museumstuff.com/learn/topics/King_Ghidorah
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- ^ http://www.syndrome.my/
- ^ http://disney.go.com/vault/archives/villains/hook/hook.html
- ^ http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/features/cappies/story.html?id=c2e5b980-049b-46b3-a4e8-2996dcd089b2
- ^ "Scoundrels & Sons -- Author John Le Carre Digs Deep In His Own Past For The Themes Of His Work". The Seattle Times. 1999-03-25.
- ^ http://www.infoplease.com/biography/var/jamesmoriarty.html
- ^ http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/Articles/sterren.html
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- ^ http://www.bbcamerica.com/content/167/robinhood.jsp
- ^ Barnes & Noble (1991-05-05). "Rough Weather (Spenser Mystery Series #36)". Barnes & Noble. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
- ^ http://aidas-strange-reality.com/astrology-mythology-symbolism/42-odysseus-penelope-and-ithaca
- ^ http://bestuff.com/stuff/maggie-simpsons-archenemy-the-baby-with-the-one-eyebrow
- ^ a b http://listverse.com/2008/01/24/top-10-cartoon-villains/
- ^ Lafferty, Michael (2002-06-11). "Woody Woodpecker: Escape from Buzz Buzzard Park for PS2 at GameZone.com". GameZone. Archived from the original on May 14, 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
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- ^ http://progressiveboink.com/archive/drclaw.html
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- ^ http://www.atomicpopcorn.net/04122010-the-big-bang-theory-the-wil-wheaton-recurrence/
- ^ http://married-with-children.download-tvshows.com/amanda-bearse/
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- ^ http://tvshack.cc/tv/The_Drew_Carey_Show/
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- ^ http://www.pressthebuttons.com/2009/09/anticipating-marvel-vs-capcom-3s-new-characters-disney-buyout-edition.html
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- ^ http://tvmunchies.com/2009/08/04/the-10-best-tv-principals-of-all-time/
- ^ http://the-simpsons.maxupdates.tv/the-simpsons-season-21-episode-22-the-bob-next-door-463/
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- ^ Hart, Hugh (2002-08-11). The San Francisco Chronicle http://articles.sfgate.com/2002-08-11/entertainment/17555624_1_anime-kiki-s-delivery-service-rings/2.
{{cite news}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ http://webhome.idirect.com/~cgorman/b7/character4.htm
- ^ http://www.giantbomb.com/andross/94-1443/
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAozXmPoVYM
- ^ http://www.gamezone.com/news/11_18_02_11_58AM.htm
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- ^ Backside of the Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack In Time box cover.
- ^ http://www.giantbomb.com/crash-twinsanity/61-14790/
- ^ http://gameboy.ign.com/objects/008/008028.html
- ^ http://www.sydlexia.com/megaman.htm
- ^ http://zelda.nintendo-europe.com/enGB/index.php?mId=129
- ^ http://thegreatgeekmanual.com/blog/anniversary-of-the-legend-of-zelda
- ^ http://iplaywinner.com/chun-li-tvc/chun-li-capcom.html
- ^ http://dvd.bigpondmovies.com/dvd/211/Street-Fighter
- ^ http://www.gameloft.com/mobile-games/earthworm-jim/
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1daN2_NS_y8
- ^ http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Vivendi+Universal+Games+Ships+Crash+Bandicoot+Purple%3A+Ripto's+Rampage...-a0117461702
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- ^ http://tokyomewmewpower.wikia.com/wiki/Deep_Blue
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