Choose a complex and important character in a novel or a play of recognized literary merit who might - on the basis of the character's actions alone - be considered evil or immoral. In a well-organized essay, explain both how and why the full presentation of the character in the work makes us react more sympathetically than we otherwise might. Avoid plot summary.

Heathcliff

Explanation:

Heathcliff is the central character in the novel Wuthering Height. This evil character fetches readers' sympathy when he is brought as an orphan to Wuthering Heights by Mr. Earnshaw. Readers like the love between Heathcliff and Catherine which her brother doesn't like at all. As Mr. Ernshaw dies, the abuse of Heathcliff by Hindley begins. Albeit Catherine loves this man with 'black eyes', she succumbs to social tradition by marrying with Edgar Linton. Now Heathcliff is a heart-broken Byronic hero whom readers love to show sympathy. His humiliations and mysteries while Catherine was unmarried fetches lots of sympathy for him.

But then the marriage of Catherine reveals the evil in Heathcliff. He becomes cruel exhibiting a frustration due to his lost love mixed with his past abuses. By his sheer power, Heathcliff becomes the master of Wuthering Heights, successful in harassing Hindley and abuses Isabella.

The readers are shocked at Heathcliff's violent tempers, yet sympathize with him for his hapless childhood when he is tyrannized by Hindley. In power, Heathcliff wishes to pay his tormentors in the same way. We hate Heathcliff's violence but we sympathize with his traumatic condition.