Psychopathy is a mental disorder characterised by a lack of empathy, guilt, remorse, and conscience, as well as shallow emotions, a lack of attachment and connection to others, and a tendency towards manipulativeness, impulsivity, and crime Individuals with psychopathy are described as being “cold-hearted”, callous, and displaying antisocial or destructive behaviour.
Psychopathy is estimated to affect approximately one percent of the general population. It is a spectrum disorder, meaning there is a range of severity of symptoms, and most people with psychopathy don’t fit the classic “psychopath” profile of extreme violence and lack of conscience.
One of the most iconic examples of psychopathy from literature is Count Dracula from Bram Stoker’s novel. Dracula is an immortal, powerful vampire who lacks empathy for his victims and is driven by a deep hunger for blood. He is cold, calculating, and manipulative in his attempts to acquire human blood and expand his power.
Another classic example of psychopathy from literature is Ivan Ilych from Leo Tolstoy’s novel. Ivan is a highly successful lawyer who has lived a life of selfishness and carelessness. He does not care about the feelings or needs of others and only thinks about his own pleasure. Despite having all the wealth and privilege of a high-class member of society, he is eventually brought low by his own cold, calculating choices.
A third example of psychopathy from literature is Fagin from Charles Dickens’ novel Oliver Twist. Fagin is a cruel criminal who recruits naive young orphan boys to become pickpockets. He is a master manipulator who uses fear and intimidation to control the children and make them do his bidding. He is callous and uncaring and displays no remorse for the crimes he encourages the boys to commit.
Fourth, there is Heathcliff, the main antagonist of Emily Bronte’s novel Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff is a violent and vengeful character who is driven by a deep passion for revenge. He is a master of manipulation and will do whatever it takes to get what he wants. He displays little to no concern for other people’s feelings and is willing to use any means necessary to hurt those that have wronged him.
Finally, there is Professor Moriarty from Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories. Moriarty is a master criminal and a genius criminal mastermind. He displays a lack of empathy and concern for other people, and his only goal is to obtain power and control. He lacks any moral scruples and will use any means necessary to achieve his aims.
These five literary examples of psychopathy demonstrate the spectrum of the disorder, from mild to severe. While some of the characters display more extreme symptoms than others, all of them show a lack of empathy, remorse, and conscience, as well as the tendency toward manipulation and destructive behaviour.