Physiognomy

Physiognomy is the assessment of a persons character or personality from their outer appearance. This is particularly relevant when designing characters as it may help inform my design.

Physiognomy was well accepted by Greek philosophers. Pythagoras accepted or rejected students based on how gifted they looked. Aristotle wrote that large-headed people were mean, those with small faces were dedicated, broad faces reflected stupidity, and round faces conveyed courage

Physiognomy is a pseudoscience - a collection of beliefs or practices mistakenly regarded as being based on scientific method. Although the way that physiognomy is considered has changed, it is still pravelent within today's society. People are constantly still making judgements on a persons character based upon their appearance - a classic example of this is Katie Hopkins statement that she would not employ fat people.

VILLAINS

Evil characters are often misshapen individuals who do not quite fit into society. They more often than not have a disability or a deformity.

Marshall comments on the way that Gothic villains such as witches, werewolves and vampires are just unhuman, but are always linked to evil.

Evil is always physically manifested, often using a deformity of some sort.

'in folklore, popular supersition, and religion, in any belief that physical deformity or beauty reflects the state of the soul or one's relationship with a powerful supernatural being'' (Gaul 297 cited by Marshall). This suggests that if you are deformed, you are likely to be linked with the devil whereas beauty is linked to holiness and God.

Physiognomy used facial features to judge the face, whereas Phrenology attempted to map areas of a persons brain which affected inidividual aspects of personality.

Fig. 51.

Fig. 52

The character 'Sloth' from The Goonies (Donner, 1985) is an example of where deformity has been used but instead of the character being a villain, the character is loveable and not evil.

Fig. 53

Interestingly, this mutant character from The Hills have Eyes (Aja, 2006) are really similar, especailly their mouth and and the nose. Sloth may have inspired the Hill have Eyes make up.

The characters however could not be more different - this character is deformed and is incredibly evil. Whereas Sloth is a hero in the film.

This illustration from “Vaught's Practical Character Reader” (1902) reflects what ideas of a deceitful face were at the time. This is interesting because there isn't anything particuarly deceitful or villainous that I can see from these pictures. I would understand more if there was an illustration of a deceitful nose which was hooked It is interesting that I feel like this, as why do I associate hooked noses with deceit? Witches? Where did witches get that characteristic?

Fig. 54.

Gary Oldman in Bram Stokers Dracula (1992) has heavy brow which is often represented as being an evil characteristic. Once again, the character does not fit into society and is a social outcast. Dracula also has a pointed nose and ears which reflect a more evil appearance.