Lucifer: The First Anti-hero (TV Show Analysis)
For millennia, we have been told to worship at the altar of the hero. To emulate the good and the virtuous. We have been told to follow the straight and narrow path, and aspire to those that have good morals and upright character. Yet why is it that the TV show ‘Lucifer’, which fictionally depicts the Devil’s debauched and sinful getaway in Los Angeles, so popular?
It is simple, really. It is because Lucifer, the titular character, is an anti-hero. In history, the Devil is depicted as the villain of the Bible. Although some may argue that the Devil is more of a tragic villain, given the Devil’s backstory in the Bible. The tragic villain is a usually much more compelling character than the hero, and it is this character that eventually gave rise to the anti-hero.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
-1 Peter 5:8
As a result of this historical perception, it would make sense that Lucifer would be portrayed as an anti-hero.
anti-hero (n)
A central character in a story, film, or drama who lacks conventional heroic attributes.
However, at the same time, we have always been told to embrace a simple existence. One that is just like the rest of mankind. We were told to just exist and be content with ourselves, and let great men be great men. That heroes are a myth, a fantasy. So again, why is Lucifer the hero (albeit the anti-hero) so popular?
And why are ALL anti-heroes so popular? First, there are two components of the anti-hero: the darkness, and the hero. Both sides of the anti-hero Lucifer exhibits, and both sides of the anti-hero people themselves want to be in real life, no matter how much one denies that. So let’s look at both sides.
The Darkness
The darkness is that side of human nature that is buried deep within the moral, pure facade we put on in society. It is the shadow of our hearts, the urge to give into our primal and immoral impulses, to show more of ourselves. We all have a dark side, a side we keep hidden from everyone. Why? It strikes fear within others and within ourselves. It is our decadent, vindictive, violent, sexual urges. The side that judges us if we feel it within ourselves, and the side people judge if shown to the world.
Lucifer is the Devil, who is evil incarnate in the Biblical sense. Throughout the series, he is shown giving into and expressing his darkest desires. He does drugs, drinks alcohol, has multiple sexual partners, and commits acts of violence against others. He is shown to be self-interested and impulsive, and he creates chaos wherever he goes, much to the chagrin of the supporting characters. He even compels others to give in and to accept their darkest urges and desires.
“Tell me. What is it that you truly desire?”
Lucifer Morningstar
Lucifer is never afraid to express his desires. He embraces his dark side and shows it to the world, which is why he is so attractive and charismatic. We all want to be less inhibited like Lucifer, to not be held back by the rules enforced upon us. How often do we ourselves want to exact vengeance on those that have wronged us? How often do we want to satisfy our forbidden bodily desires? How often do we wish that we can just let loose and unleash chaos and do whatever we want?
The more rules that are in place, the more we want to break them. We always want to push the boundaries, to test our limits, to see how much the universe is willing to tolerate. We all have dark, unsatisfied urges and desires. We all have a dark side. The anti-hero allows us to fulfil those dark desires vicariously. Why do you think it’s so hard to not hold a grudge? Why do you think it’s so hard to stay a virgin?
We envy the antihero for being so free and unrestrained. The antihero seems so guiltless, so unburdened by morality. We want the same thing. We want to be dark and chaotic. We can deny this need to feel free, but deep down it is there. Lucifer allows us to live out the darkness through him.
The Hero
The hero is the person deep within all of us. The person we aspire to be. We think about them almost every day. We want so desperately to be that person. Who is that person? Why are they the hero that exists within us?
That person is the best version of ourselves. The guardian. The saviour. The hero. We all want to be heroes in some way. We all want to be of value to others, to contribute to mankind, to make our mark on reality. We all like to think we are heroes of our own story. Lucifer is not the typical hero, but he is a hero all the same.
“Just think of me as your guardian Devil”
Lucifer Morningstar
There are very few things more important in society than heroes. We all need heroes: sports heroes, war heroes, personal heroes. Through them, we can live out our grandiose desires, our need to feel great. Through their exploits and achievements, we live out our own greatness vicariously through them. They inspire us and push us to be just like them. They give us the courage to dream and to impose our will on the universe.
We all want to be put on a pedestal. To have people acknowledge how great and awe-inspiring we are. Why do you think compliments are so intoxicating to our ego? We all desire to be superior than what we are now. No one wants to die. No one wants to be forgotten. And no one ever forgets a hero. Becoming a legend, a mythical entity, a hero, is something everyone wants, but not alot of people want to admit, because our ambitions and hopes can make the small-minded insecure. But we all want to be remembered for what we did. We all want to live forever.
Time and time again, Lucifer proves how invaluable he is to the LAPD in solving cases. He also proves how valuable and important he is to the universe. Only the strongest can handle having the most unenviable of jobs: watching over the depths of Hell. Just like Lucifer, we all want to be great, to be appreciated, and to be acknowledged. We can deny our grandiose needs and our need to feel revered all we want. We can lie to ourselves that we don’t care how invisible we are. But the truth is the truth: we all want to be important. We all want to have our place in eternity, to be immortal. We all want to be heroes.
How to become an Anti-hero
To become an anti-hero, you must integrate the two sides of the anti-hero within yourself. You must become the darkness, and you must become the hero.
To become the darkness, you must embrace your dark side. You must accept that lurking in the shadows of your soul is your darkest urges. Admit you have them, and express them in a controlled way. Be more free, bold, and unencumbered by the judging eyes around you, and people will be drawn to your authenticity. Your darkness is freedom. It is your true self, and when you show it to people, they will in turn feel more free to be themselves around you.
To become the hero, you must embrace your intense and deep need to want to be great and to make your mark on mankind. Admit that the desire to feel important and revered, the desire to be put on a pedestal, is human and beneficial, and do what you must to be important and great. You do that by striving to be the best version of yourself. To be great. To become a legend. To become a hero. People will be drawn to your sense of purpose and your drive, and they will be infected by the force of your will.
Become like Lucifer: the first anti-hero.
