History Main / PoliteVillainsRudeHeroes

* Garibaldi vs Bester in ''Series/{{Babylon 5}}''. Though Garibaldi isn't really rude -- he's just rough hewn.

* ''Film/InglouriousBasterds'', has a Nazi, of all people, as one of the more polite characters in the film. When Landa captures some of the heroes, he remarks how impressed he is. The Basterds reveal they don't know, nor don't care who Landa is and oenly insult him. Landa lampshades this by complaining about the lack of mutual respect.

* ''Film/IngloriousBasterds'', has a Nazi, of all people, as one of the more polite characters in the film. When Landa captures some of the heroes, he remarks how impressed he is. The Basterds reveal they don't know, nor don't care who Landa is and oenly insult him. Landa lampshades this by complaining about the lack of mutual respect.

Sometimes, the moral is that actions speak louder than words; while the villain in the picture might be ''speaking'' courteously, there is the small matter that he is at the same time handing the hero over to his resident TortureTechnician.

* Played with in ''DragonBallZ'' with Frieza (prior to his VillainousBreakdown from Goku turning Super Saiyan), who generally polite with the characters fighting him. The played with part is Goku initially extends the same courtesy before [[KickTheDog Frieza kills Krillin right in front of him for no reason]].

** The same is true for every conversation between the protagonists and Death prior to the ending split in ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaPortraitOfRuin Portrait of Ruin]]''.

* [[WebVideo/DoctorHorriblesSingAlongBlog Doctor Horrible]] is an intelligent, respectable guy who happens to be a supervillain, while his archenemy, Captain Hammer, is basically a huge jerk who mocks the homeless. Their interactions with Penny are even more telling -- Dr Horrible is genuinely interested in her but unsure of how to proceed. Captain Hammer, meanwhile, is blatantly disrespectful of her and goes after her just because it gives him one more thing he can rub Dr Horrible's face in.

* In ''ChickTracts'' the angels helping the "good guys" tend to be rude and uptight, and aren't above punching sinners/devils like bullies. And many of said good guys are often condiscendent, disrespectful and arrogant to the others.

[[quoteright:350:[[{{Magazine/Mad}} http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/chrv_8174.jpg]]]]

* Garibaldi vs Bester in ''{{Series/Babylon 5}}''. Though Garibaldi isn't really rude -- he's just rough hewn.

* This is the impression Chirs Sims and David Uzumeri had when they [[http://www.comicsalliance.com/2010/12/27/recap-smallville-episode-1-1-pilot/ recently watched]] the pilot episode of ''{{Series/Smallville}}'': Pa Kent is a dick who eventually pushes Lex into supervillainy.

* The page image is from a MadMagazine article parodying this trope, and for what it's worth, there are [[http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg78/evalana/madheroesvillains01.png more]] [[http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg78/evalana/madheroesvillains02.png images]] where that came from.

* In ''{{VideoGame/Bayonetta}}'', Bayonetta is pretty flippant and mean to the angels she fights; the big bosses among them, the Cardinal Virtues, are very pleasant in conversation. Also done with [[BigBad Father Balder]], who also maintains his manners with Bayonetta while she outright loathes him. Though in Balder's case, he crossed the MoralEventHorizon three times in one scene, and even AxCrazy Bayonetta is disgusted by what he's done.

* In the book ''Literature/TheRobotsOfDawn'' by IsaacAsimov, Elijah Baley reflects at one point how the supposed "good guy", Dr. Han Fastolfe is unpleasant and antisocial, while Kelden Amadiro, the "villain", seems friendly and accommodating. The "wolf" behind Amadiro's apparent friendliness becomes apparent to Baley later.

* From Music/RhapsodyOfFire there are some, well, interesting lines spoken by the main hero against the BigBad Akron in "The Mighty Ride of the Firelord", including calling him bloody bastard, spit on him and threaten to burn him and ''[[WhatTheHellHero eat his brains]]''. [[spoiler:Granted, he has just [[FamilyUnfriendlyDeath raped to death Princess Airin]] and killed the warrior Arwald, but still...]].

* [[WebOriginal/DoctorHorriblesSingAlongBlog Doctor Horrible]] is an intelligent, respectable guy who happens to be a supervillain, while his archenemy, Captain Hammer, is basically a huge jerk who mocks the homeless. Their interactions with Penny are even more telling -- Dr Horrible is genuinely interested in her but unsure of how to proceed. Captain Hammer, meanwhile, is blatantly disrespectful of her and goes after her just because it gives him one more thing he can rub Dr Horrible's face in.

* ''{{Castelvania}}''

* [[Manga/Inuyasha Inu-Yasha]] and his half-brother have no love lost between them. Sesshomaru is formal but contemptuous while Inuyasha is generally rude to almost everyone to begin with. Though Sesshomaru also does [[FantasticRacism insult Inuyashu over being a Hanyo/Half-Demon]], so it's kinda hard to think of him as polite when he does that.

[[quoteright:350:[[MadMagazine http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/chrv_8174.jpg]] ]]
->'''Nicodemus:''' What would you say if I told you that you and I might have a great many common interests in the future?
->'''Harry:''' I wouldn't say much of anything. I would be too busy laughing in your face.
--> -- ''Small Favour, TheDresdenFiles''


->'''Dooku''': "It's a great pity that our paths have never crossed before, Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon always spoke very highly of you. I wish he were still alive; I could use his help right now."\\
'''Obi-Wan''': "Qui-Gon Jinn would never join you."
--> -- ''StarWars: AttackOfTheClones''

!! Examples:

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
* {{Inuyasha}} and his half-brother have no love lost between them. Sesshomaru is formal but contemptuous while Inuyasha is generally rude to almost everyone to begin with.
** Though Sesshomaru also does [[FantasticRacism insult Inuyashu over being a Hanyo/Half-Demon]], so it's kinda hard to think of him as polite when he does that.
* GunXSword seems to fit- Although Wendy and Joshua are nice enough, Van and Ray and to a lesser extent Carmen 99 are pretty jerkish, while the Claw and all of his minions are a really nice bunch.
* PantyAndStockingWithGarterbelt [[ZigZaggingTrope zigzags]] this one a bit, although that shouldn't surprise anyone given [[StudioGainax the show's creators]]. The angels are always contemptuous toward the demons, but said demons alternate - sometimes mid-conversation - between subverting this "trope", acting respectful, and (extremely rarely) genuinely being respectful toward the "heroines".
* FullmetalAlchemist has Edward Elric, the bratty teenage genius protagonist who's brash, short-tempered and swears quite a bit. He is constantly calling his opponents (and his own father) "bastard" and "third-rate novice". In contrast, the main villain, Father, heals his broken arm, inquires after his health and family, and allows Ed to live and continue his journey while he casually plans the [[spoiler: death of over 50 million people just so he can eat God and acquire all knowledge in the universe... It makes sense in context]]. The Fuhrer of Amestris, King Bradley, even invites Edward and his brother Alphonse to tea. There's also Solf J. Kimblee, the Crimson Alchemist, a mass-murdering psychopath who treats Edward's mechanic, Winry Rockbell, with genuine respect and kindness while politely asking Ed to [[spoiler: stage yet another massacre at Fort Briggs.]]
* Played with in ''DragonBall'' with Frieza (prior to his VillainousBreakdown from Goku turning Super Saiyan), who generally polite with the characters fighting him. The played with part is Goku initially extends the same courtesy before [[KickTheDog Frieza kills Krillin right in front of him for no reason]].

[[folder:Film]]
* As implied by the page quotation, Dooku from the StarWars prequel trilogy is far more polite than Obi-Wan, if not more polite than most of the jedi as a whole.
-->'''Dooku:''' You have fought gallantly. Worthy of recognition in the archives of the Jedi Order. Now it is finished. Surrender - and your lives will be spared.
-->'''Windu:''' We will NOT be hostages to be bartered, Dooku.
-->'''Dooku:''' Then, I'm sorry, old friend.
* In another GeorgeLucas related movie series, RaidersOfTheLostArk, this happens with most of Indy and Belloq's interactions.
-->'''Belloq:''' How odd that it should end this way for us after so many stimulating encounters. I almost regret it. Where shall I find a new adversary so close to my own level?
-->'''Indy:''' Try the local sewer.
* In PhoneBooth, the protagonist is a rotten liar and the antagonist teaches him the better way to live.

* The chapter "The Voice of Saruman" from TheLordOfTheRings comes to mind. Saruman is (faking) pleasantness, the good guys respond harshly.
* In the book ''Robots Of Dawn'' by IsaacAsimov, Elijah Baley reflects at one point how the supposed "good guy", Dr. Han Fastolfe is unpleasant and antisocial, while Kelden Amadiro, the "villain", seems friendly and accommodating. The "wolf" behind Amadiro's apparent friendliness becomes apparent to Baley later.
* This sort of contrast happens a lot between Harry Dresden and "Gentleman" John Marcone in ''TheDresdenFiles.'' Marcone is usually polite to Harry; Harry rarely shows Marcone much respect in return, since Marcone is a mob boss.
** This happens a lot between Harry Dresden and practically any villain he talks to; the supernatural [[BigBad big bads]] of the Dresdenverse generally try to maintain a pretense of civility, and Harry... [[FirstPersonSmartass generally doesn't.]]
* Galbatorix's conversation with Oromis at the end of ''Brisingr'' in TheInheritanceCycle. He tries to convince Oromis to join him using smooth speech - Oromis calls it "A balm of honeyed lies." After this, Galbatorix gives up and his voice is said to have "acquired a harsh, angry cast."
* TwentyThousandLeaguesUnderTheSea: This is the dynamic between WickedCultured TheCaptain Nemo and IdiotHero Ned Land. Nemo is AffablyEvil, and Ned Land doesn’t lost any chance to insult Nemo, no matter how petty. Nemo is a WellIntentionedExtremist that maintains Ned in a GildedCage, and Then you realize that DumbassHasAPoint.

[[folder:Live Action TV]]
* Garibaldi vs Bester in ''BabylonFive''. Though Garibaldi isn't really rude-he's just rough hewn.

* This is the impression Chirs Sims and David Uzumeri had when they [[http://www.comicsalliance.com/2010/12/27/recap-smallville-episode-1-1-pilot/ recently watched]] the pilot episode of ''{{Smallville}}'': Pa Kent is a dick who eventually pushed Lex into supervillainy.

[[folder:Magazines]]

* From ''RhapsodyOfFire'' there are some, well, interesting lines spoken by the main hero against the BigBad Akron in ''The Mighty Ride Of The Firelord'', including calling him bloody bastard, spit on him and threaten to burn him and ''[[WhatTheHellHero eat his brains]]''. [[spoiler: Granted, he has just [[FamilyUnfriendlyDeath raped to death Princess Airin]] and killed the warrior Arwald, but still..]]
* In the ''Music/BlindGuardian'' song ''Time Stand Still'', [[TheSilmarillion Melkor]] is quite affable and polite, while Fingolfin curse him on sight.
* The zombie "Bob" in Jonathan Coulton song ''Re: Your Brains'' speaks as if narrating an excessively polite corporate email while trying to convince the survivors to leave their safehouse.

[[folder:Theatre]]
* In the opera LaFanciullaDelWest, the bandit (love interest of the heroine) is kind, chivilrous, and charming, while the Sheriff of the mining post is a self-absorbed, greedy, would-be adulterer. No surprise on who gets the girl.

* The opening of ''{{Castlevania}}: SymphonyOfTheNight'' in which Richter barges into Dracula's castle and interrupts the Count's relaxed wine(?) drinking, greeting him with "Die, monster!". He then insults Dracula, to which Dracula replies very calmly and philosophically. Richter continues insulting Dracula until he provokes a fight. Now that's rude!
** Hey hey, now! He called us a miserable little pile of secrets; that's pretty rude, too!
** The same is true for every conversation between the protagonists and Death prior to the ending split in ''PortraitOfRuin''.
* This seems to define Edge and Rubicant in FinalFantasyIV.
* In ShadowHearts, the hero Yuri is a rough brawler; before he's given a name, he's even referred to as "Rude Hero." His main antagonist is a dapper English Gentleman with a top hat who begins battle with a polite bow.
* In {{Bayonetta}}, Bayonetta is pretty flippant and mean to the angels she fights; the big bosses among them, the Cardinal Virtues, are very pleasant in conversation.
** Also done with [[BigBad Father Balder]], who also maintains his manners with Bayonetta while she outright loathes him. Though in Balder's case, he crossed the MoralEventHorizon 3 times in one scene, and even AxCrazy Bayonetta is disgusted by what he's done.
* Part of the reason why ZeroWing was so badly translated was that CATS was using a very formal and polite form of Japanese while the Captain and his crew were using a brusque, informal form. Even in the TranslationTrainWreck, Contrast "How are you, gentlemen?" with "It's you!"

* [[WebOriginal/DoctorHorriblesSingAlongBlog Doctor Horrible]] is an intelligent, respectable guy who happens to be a supervillain, while his archenemy, Captain Hammer, is basically a huge jerk who mocks the homeless.
** Their interactions with Penny are even more telling- Dr Horrible is genuinely interested in her but unsure of how to proceed. Captain Hammer, meanwhile, is blatantly disrespectful of her and goes after her just because it gives him one more thing he can rub Dr Horrible's face in.

* Played with in ''DragonBall'' with Frieza (prior to his VillianousBreakdown from Goku turning Super Saiyan), who generally polite with the characters fighting him. The played with part is Goku initially extends the same courtesy before [[KickTheDog Frieza kills Krillin right in front of him for no reason]].

* In the ''BlindGuardian'' song ''Time Stand Still'', [[TheSilmarillion Melkor]] is quite affable and polite, while Fingolfin curse him on sight.

* DoctorHorrible is an intelligent, respectable guy who happens to be a supervillain, while his archenemy, Captain Hammer, is basically a huge jerk who mocks the homeless.

* This sort of contrast happens a lot between Harry Dresden and "Gentleman" John Marcone in TheDresdenFiles. Marcone is usually polite to Harry; Harry rarely shows Marcone much respect in return, since Marcone is a mob boss.

* DoctorHorrible is an intelligent, respectable guy who happens to be a supervillain, while his archenemy, CaptainHammer, is basically a huge jerk who mocks the homeless.