The former being a scoundrel inclined to commit criminal acts, the latter being merely a serf. Though, the former did derive from the latter, to some degree since it was originally used for a base and vulgar person. And, as we all know, you can't trust those lower classes.
Anyway! On to villainy! This is the third entry (or second, depending on whether or not one really counts my first entry) in the book challenge thrown down by the kind folks at the other Egotist's Club. Clearly the most villainous villain to ever villainize (not my greatest neologism) is Vicious. The epitome of someone who will let no nefarious deed stand between him and his goals, Vicious is... Hum? What?... I'm only supposed to refer to book villains? And Vicious doesn't count because he's only part of the greatest anime ever? Well, bugger.
Okay, let's start again.
There are a number of candidates for this role. Morgoth and Sauron would both seem to be excellent candidates, but the Devil himself and his chief lieutenant seem a bit... beyond the concept of mere villainy. It would be like saying Jesus was the greatest hero of all time. I mean, sure, yeah, but that sells Him a bit short, hey? And none of the other villains in the world of Middle-Earth really stack up by comparison. Saruman, for all the harm he did, was kind of a piker.
Okay, so who else could we choose? Andrew Wray from the Aubrey-Maturin series? Nah, he's worse than Saruman, he really falls apart at the end and he's not even a threat through the whole series, just a few books in the middle.
Carmen Sternwood was just kinda crazy. Vronsky was as much a victim as villain by the end of the book. Villefort, Danglars, and Morcerf are all motivated by petty greeds rather than villains of scope.
No, for my money, the most villainous villain is Johnny Dread from Tad Williams' Otherland series. Not only will he cut your throat as soon as look at you, but he has abilities that allow him to escape detection and commit his crimes almost with impunity. He has a psychosis that causes him to desire to kill in the most vile and disgusting ways, but he is clearly in control of his actions and chooses evil. No insanity defence for this man. Not only that, but his plans have an almost limitless scope; he doesn't just want a piece, he wants it all. He's willing to do any deed, commit any and all crimes to reach the pinnacle of his ambition. I don't want to spoil it too much, so I won't say any more other than to note that of all the books I've ever read, no villain ever frightened and repulsed me as much as Johnny Dread. He is a bad, bad man.
Oh, and if you haven't read the books, I do recommend them. It's not the greatest series ever, but it is quite good. You'd probably at least enjoy them.
Other honourable mentions:
Jei from the Usagi Yojimbo comics
Aunt Agatha (the nephew-crusher) from the Jeeves and Wooster stories
Orfamay Quest from The Little Sister
Vorbis from Small Gods
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