Morally Grey Characters: Who Are They & How to Write Them

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Characters who are not clearly good or bad can spark strong feelings in people. Whether you like them or not, it is clear that these morally grey characters add excitement to a story. Characters who only see things as right or wrong can become dull in comparison.

We’re no longer in an era where heroes and villains are easy to define. Nowadays, morally complex characters rule the storytelling realm. We have a strong fondness for characters who blur the lines between good and bad and keep us guessing.

These morally grey characters in fiction reflect the mixed nature of human behavior. In addition, they bring a layer of depth and suspense to the story. There are countless instances of such characters in fictional tales.

So, what are morally grey characters? Morally grey characters are those who are not clearly good or bad. They make choices that are not easy to judge as right or wrong. They’re kind of in the middle, morally speaking.

In this blog post, we will explore what makes morally grey characters so captivating in stories. Also, we will learn how to create these characters effectively when you write a book. So, by the end, you will know how to make morally grey characters in your stories.

What is a Morally Grey Character?

Video Credits: Writing with Jenna Moreci

A morally grey character is one whose actions and motivations cannot be easily classified as good or evil. They may do things that are considered wrong. However, for reasons we can understand them or even sympathize with.

A morally grey character might steal food to feed their family or kill someone in self-defense. They might also be a villain with a redeeming quality. For example, a person that has a strong sense of loyalty or love for their family.

Morally Grey Meaning

Being morally grey means you don’t fit into the categories of good or evil. You make decisions based on your personal goals rather than being driven by a larger battle between good and bad. You prioritize your own ambitions over what’s considered right or wrong.

Why Do We Like Morally Gray Characters in Stories?

We find them fascinating because they are not predictable. Their actions and decisions can surprise us. They reflect the complexity of real people and real life, where things aren’t always black and white.

What Types of Stories Have Morally Grey Characters?

Morally grey characters are often found in fiction. However, they can also be found in a nonfiction book, for example, a biography of a figure who made difficult choices. The author would need to present the facts of the figure’s life without judgment. It allows the reader to decide for themselves whether the figure’s actions were good or bad.

Here are some other examples of stories with a morally grey character:

• A memoir of a person who has committed a crime
• A history book about a war
• An autobiography of a controversial political figure

Foil Character

You will see a foil character in all types of characters in literature. If you find the meaning of a foil character, it will help you know what are these characters and how they take part in the overall central idea of a story. When you provide a different perspective on the theme of the story, foil characters can help make writing more exciting.

What is a Foil Character?

A character foil is a character who acts as a by highlighting one of another character’s qualities. Morally grey characters can be great foils for the main character because they emphasize the contrast between different aspects, such as personalities, beliefs, intentions, actions, or events in the story.

What is a Foil Character in Literature?

A foil is a character that showcases contrary traits to another character. It helps you make more complex and interesting characters. Foil characters can be anti-heroes, but not always. Sometimes, you can also find character foils with the heroes. When you use a foil, it means you want to ensure that the reader grasps the important qualities and features of a hero.

What are the Characteristics of Morally Grey Characters?

Morally grey characters are people in stories who don’t fit neatly into being either good or bad. They’re complicated because they do things that are both good and bad. Therefore, it’s hard to say if they’re heroes or villains.

Complexity and Ambiguity

They are neither purely good nor purely evil. The morally grey characters are not superheroes or villains. They’re somewhere in between. You can’t easily say if they are good or bad because they do things that are a mix of both.

Their motivations and actions will be confusing. These characters can make you scratch your head. Their reasons for doing things might not be clear. Sometimes, they do things that seem contradictory or confusing.

Gray Areas of Morality

Morally grey characters often face difficult situations where there is no clear right or wrong answer. Their life is full of ethical dilemmas and tough choices. So, they have to make tough decisions that can leave them feeling guilty or conflicted.

In addition, their morality changes with the situation. What’s right or wrong can change and depends on the circumstances. Morally grey characters might act differently in different situations. Therefore, it makes them hard to pin down as purely good or bad.

Conflicted Emotions and Sympathetic Qualities

Morally grey characters struggle with their feelings and might feel bad about their choices. Their internal conflicts can add depth to their character and make them relatable to the audience.

Even though they’re not all good, they have some qualities that make you feel sorry for them or like them. This can include tragic backstories, vulnerabilities, or moments of kindness.

Why Morally Grey Characters Matter?

Morally grey characters are important in stories because they’re not entirely good or bad. They act in ways that are a bit confusing, just like real people sometimes do. Here’s why they matter:

Reflect Real-Life Complexity

Morally grey characters mirror the complexities of real life. They show us that in real life, things aren’t always clear-cut. In reality, people often face morally ambiguous situations where there are no clear-cut right or wrong answers. Sometimes, we all face situations where we don’t know what the right thing to do is.

Readers don’t want stories filled with characters who are only good or only bad. Morally grey characters add depth and make stories more interesting. These characters can drive the plot forward in unexpected ways. Their unpredictable actions and inner conflicts add depth to the narrative. That makes it more engaging and thought-provoking. The tension that arises from their moral ambiguity keeps the audience invested in the story.

Engaging Readers and Viewers

Readers get attached to morally grey characters. They emotionally invest in them. In addition, they often feel strong emotions for these characters because they can relate to their struggles. Their imperfections make them feel real. So, readers care about what happens to them.

Stories with morally grey characters make us wonder about right and wrong. They make us think and talk and provoke thought and discussion. We end up discussing the choices of these characters and what we would do in their place.

Morally Grey Characters Examples

Let’s look at some of the examples of morally grey characters:

Books With Morally Grey Characters

1-Macbeth from Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”

Macbeth is a character in a famous play by Shakespeare. He starts as a good guy but does terrible things to become king. As a result, it leads to his downfall.

2- Raskolnikov from Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment”

Raskolnikov is a character in a novel by Dostoevsky. He commits a crime but struggles with guilt and morality.

3- Jamie Lannister and Tyrion Lannister from “A Song of Ice and Fire”

“A Song of Ice and Fire” is a popular series of novels with many morally grey characters. Jaime and Tyrion Lannister are two brothers who face complex moral choices in the novels.

Morally Grey Characters In Film and TV

1- Walter White from “Breaking Bad”

Walter White is the main character in the TV show “Breaking Bad.” He’s a high school chemistry teacher who turns to a life of crime to provide for his family.

2- Tony Soprano from “The Sopranos”

Tony Soprano is the main character in the TV show “The Sopranos.” A mob boss who tries to balance his criminal life with his family life.

3- Michael Corleone from “The Godfather”

Michael Corleone in The Godfather transforms from a reluctant participant in the mafia world to a ruthless crime boss. His character embodies the moral complexities of power, loyalty, and family.

How to Write Morally Grey Characters?

Here’s how you can write the best morally grey characters:

Build Their Background and Motivations

Use Trauma and Past Experiences

When you begin developing your morally grey character, you should think about what difficult experiences your character has faced in the past. These experiences can help explain why they make the choices they do.

Explore Personal Goals and Desires

Dig deep into what your character truly wants. Their aspirations and desires can be a driving force behind their actions, even if those actions blur the lines of right and wrong.

Create Moral Dilemmas

Balance Internal and External Conflicts

Make your character struggle not only with outside problems but also with their inner doubts and conflicts. In addition, you should show the tension between what they want and what they know is right.

Show the Consequences of Their Choices

Let the choices of your character have consequences that affect them and others. Repercussions add weight to their ethical dilemmas and make them more engaging.

Find the Right Balance in Their Traits

Humanize with Flaws and Virtues

Give your character a mix of positive and negative traits. Nobody is perfect. Hence, this balance makes characters feel more real.

Avoid Stereotypes and Clichés

Steer clear of common character traits and behaviors. When writing a children’s book, create unique and surprising aspects of your character to keep them fresh and exciting.

Research and Empathy

Grasp Diverse Perspectives

Take the time to learn about different viewpoints and beliefs, mainly those relevant to the moral choices of your character. So, if you understand various perspectives, it helps you create a character that is more authentic and layered.

Draw Inspiration from Real-Life Examples.

Explore real people who have faced moral ambiguity in their lives. When you draw inspiration from reality, it makes the experiences and dilemmas of your character feel genuine.

Consistency in Character Development

Craft Character Arcs and Growth

Plan out the journey of your character throughout the story. Show how their experiences and choices change them, either for the better or worse. It adds depth to their development.

Maintain Moral Ambiguity Throughout the Story

Keep the moral uncertainty surrounding your character consistent. Do not resolve their ethical dilemmas too neatly, as this can diminish their complexity.

Engage Your Readers

Allow Readers to Form Their Own Judgments

Present the actions and decisions of your character objectively, without heavy-handed moral judgment.

Let readers make up their minds about the morality of your character.

Leave Room for Interpretation

Avoid spelling out every detail of the thoughts and motivations of your character. Leaving some aspects open to interpretation allows readers to engage more actively with your story.

Additional Tip

“When you write an ebook, morally grey characters can add depth and complexity. However, it can be challenging to write these characters. If you’re struggling, consider hiring ebook writing services to help you develop your characters and craft an exceptional ebook.”

Some Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Morally Grey Characters

Avoid Oversimplifying Morality

Don’t make morality in your story too simple. Characters should either be completely good or entirely bad. Real life is full of gray areas. So, let your characters reflect that complexity.

Don’t Overdo Shock Value

Shocking moments can be impactful. However, you should not rely on them excessively. Too much shock can desensitize your audience. Also, it can overshadow the depth of your characters.

Steer Clear of One-Sided Characters

Avoid creating characters who only exhibit one aspect of morally grey personality traits. Characters with depth have both virtues and flaws. It makes them more relatable and interesting.

Don’t Forget Character Growth and Development

Make sure your morally grey characters evolve throughout your story. If you neglect their growth, it can lead to stagnant and uninteresting characters. Therefore, you should show how their experiences shape them.

FAQs

Conclusion

Morally ambiguous characters when it comes to writing are vital because they mirror the complexity of real life. They challenge the idea of characters being purely good or bad. Also, they offer a more authentic and thought-provoking reading or viewing experience. As a writer, you should try morally grey characters in your own stories. The richness and depth they bring can captivate your audience and make your narratives more engaging.

However, if you hesitate to consider a morally grey character in your story, you can have a writing coach look at your story. They can give you feedback if the morally grey character suits your story. Authors Breeze is known for providing the best writing coaches, editors, and proofreaders. You can hire us if you want one.