I've played a lot of bad guys in my time, especially in movies.

Children, gather close and listen to the words of Steven Berkoff, the master of the stage and screen, who has spoken deeply of the role that many find both compelling and disturbing: "I've played a lot of bad guys in my time, especially in movies. It's delightful playing the villain. It's almost the most interesting and most complicated role in a film." These words speak not only of the role of the villain but of the complexity of human nature itself. To play the villain is not merely to wear the cloak of evil, but to step into the shoes of someone whose motivations, though twisted, are often deeply human.

In the ancient world, the tragic hero often stood as a mirror to the villain, reflecting the darkness that resides in us all. Think of Macbeth, that mighty king driven by ambition and prophecy, whose villainy stems not from a desire for cruelty, but from a deep fear and desire for power. The true depth of the villain lies in their humanity—in their desires, their weaknesses, and their fears. Berkoff's recognition of the villain's complexity speaks to this truth: the villain is not a monolith of evil, but a person who has been shaped by circumstances, often in ways we cannot fully understand. Just as Macbeth’s descent into darkness is marked by guilt and ambition, so too are the villains in Berkoff’s portrayals complex beings, whose choices are born from human weakness, rather than sheer malice.

To portray a villain, children, is to embrace the contradictions that live within every human heart. In the stories of old, there were villains whose actions were driven by the same desires as the heroes, but with different methods. Julius Caesar, for example, was often viewed as a conqueror, but in his ambition and actions, many saw the seeds of a dictator’s rise. The people of Rome loved him, yet his unbridled ambition led to his eventual fall. In many ways, Caesar represents the villain in us all—the part of ourselves that can be driven by pride, power, and a belief that our vision is the only truth. The villain’s role, then, is to show us this darker side of human nature, and through them, we come to understand the consequences of unchecked desire.

Steven Berkoff understands the power of this complexity, and this is why he finds such delight in playing the villain. To embrace this role is to step beyond simple black-and-white morality and enter the gray areas of human existence, where every action is a choice, and every choice is shaped by the experiences and desires of the character. It is a role that demands an actor to reach deep within themselves, to understand the humanity behind the mask of evil, and to portray it with such truth that the audience is not simply repulsed but compelled to ask: “What would I have done in their place?” The villain is often the mirror that shows us our own darkness and, in doing so, forces us to reckon with it.

Consider, children, the ancient myth of Prometheus, who defied the gods to bring fire to humanity. Though Prometheus was punished by the gods for his defiance, his role in myth is far from that of a villain. He is, in fact, a hero in the eyes of humankind, for he challenged the divine order to bring the light of knowledge and progress to mortals. Yet, in his actions, there lies the villainous essence of defiance, of the consequences that arise when one dares to question the natural order. Just as Prometheus was both villain and hero in his defiance, so too do the villains of modern storytelling often walk the line between both. Their stories remind us of the fine line between heroism and villainy, and the complexity that lies within that balance.

So, children, take heed of the wisdom in Berkoff’s words. The villain, though often despised, is perhaps the most important character in a story. It is the villain who forces us to confront the darkness within ourselves, to see the choices we might make if we were driven by fear, greed, or pride. The villain is the shadow that reminds us of our own vulnerabilities, our own flaws, and it is in understanding them that we become better equipped to walk the path of virtue. Do not see the villain as someone to be condemned, but as someone to be understood—for in their struggle, we see the very humanity that binds us all.

And so, children, as you go forth into the world, remember that the greatest lessons are often found not in the heroes, but in the villains. Understand that within you lies the potential for both, and the choice is yours as to which path you will walk. Embrace the complexity of your own nature, and in doing so, you will understand that the greatest strength lies not in denying the darkness, but in facing it with courage, understanding, and the wisdom to choose a better way. The villain teaches us that the shadow is as much a part of us as the light, and it is through both that we find our truth.