As i mentioned in another thread already, I'm considering using a Greek deity as an antagonist in one of my stories. However, i was hoping to use one that wasn't becoming something of a cliche. You see, some of the Greek Myth stories out there (or those that used Greek Mythology as a theme for the plot of the day) have used the Greek Gods as villains in the past and a lot of them worked (if only to a degree). But what about the other Gods and Goddesses, how do i use them and be different, but still make it feel like it works?
In the past, the following Greek Deities have been used as main antagonists for stories and they made sense in their own way—
Hades - While using this character as a villain is not accurate to the actual mythology (Hades was not evil, you see) and is more of trying to relate him and the Underworld to the Devil and Hell, it does still work in its own way. Hades is the Lord of the dead and, therefore, has command over armies of zombies, ghosts, skeletons and various other monsters. The Underworld itself definitely works as a Villain's lair as well, and as the King of the Underworld, his motives for villainy could be to; try to reclaim Olympus or to just increase his dead soul population.
Ares - He is the God of War, and therefore, he would likely command vast armies and would no doubt enjoy watching people get slaughtered in battle. His motivation for villainy could be that he just wants violence to sweep the world without any end in sight.
Hecate - She's a witch and the Goddess of the Night and Magic, nuff said.
Hera - The Hercules myths have already established just how vicious and vile Hera can be. All the story would need to do is find someway for the main character to provoke Hera in some way.
Eris - She's the Goddess of Chaos, nuff said.
Poseidon - The Odyssey has already established how menacing Poseidon can be. Like Hera, the only thing that would be required is for the hero to offend Poseidon in some way.
Circe - Like Hades, Eris and Ares, I have seen this character from Greek Mythology used as villain by the media. Probably not as much, but still, she seems a little too obvious a villain to use.
Cronus or any of the other Titans - Once again; too obvious a choice for villains and one that has been used many times before.
Greek Mythology has several other Gods and Goddesses to use as characters, but, how can you make them antagonists?
Aphrodite is the Goddess of Love and Beauty, the most evil thing she could do is constantly come between a romantic couple and temporarily drive a wedge between them. Her son, Eros (Cupid); same thing. To be honest, that could get a little corny and weak pretty fast.
Athena, Hestia and Demeter can't really be villains either when you think about it; nearly every media I've seen has portrayed Athena as a helpful goddess who guides the heroes through their ordeals. And, since she's the Goddess of Wisdom, villainy would sort of be out of character for her (there's no wisdom in being evil). Hestia is basically just the patron deity of the olden day housewife and Demeter, like her mother, Gaia, is basically a female Captain Planet (and before you mention it, I'd rather not make her a Poison Ivy rip-off, thank you very much).
Hermes and Hephaestus are little more than servants to the other Greek Gods and that's basically all they would be good for, service. Hermes can only move fast and bring things to people, and Hephaestus is really only good at building things. Him actually using them; not something i can imagine.
Dionysus is just a party animal, there's nothing villainous about that (not that i can see, anyway).
I'm considering using Artemis and Apollo, but, aside from them possibly having a sibling rivalry, there's not much i can do make either of them a villain. Artemis is a huntress, but she also protects wildlife from those who would hunt them for sport. Apollo may have Energy/Fire powers, but, he's the God of light, music, poetry and archery, where's the villainy in that?
For obvious reasons, i can't use Zeus, but, i don't want to due a cliche by using Hades, Eris, Hera, Poseidon, Ares or even Hecate or Circe either (especially since Hades was never a villain to begin with). Anyone have any thoughts?
